This month in culture: October 2024
Our staff picks what to watch out for this October
The Spectator
Thursday
Letters: A cautionary lesson for England’s schools
From our UK edition
Lessons to learn Sir: Your leading article ‘Requires improvement’ (7 September) rightly raised concerns that a curriculum review in England might reverse the excellent progress in schools following the Gove reforms. Fortunately, there are two very good examples of what happens when you replace rigour and the acquisition of knowledge with left-wing dogma and woolly
Which media titles are worth the most?
From our UK edition
Media interest This week The Spectator was acquired by Old Queen Street Media for £100 million, around five times its annual turnover. How does that compare with other media valuations (also as a multiple of revenue)? Date / Title / Valuation Aug 2010 / Newsweek / 0.000000006 Feb 2011 / Huffington Post / 10.0 Aug
2668: Obit VII – solution
From our UK edition
The BOWLER (7) was DEREK (26) Underwood (synonym of COPSE (32)), nicknamed ‘Deadly’, who died on 15 April 2024. The four victims were MUSHTAQ MOHAMMAD, SUNIL GAVASKAR, GRAHAM DOWLING and GARRY SOBERS. First prize Robert Bailey, Norwich Runners-up Dorothy Mulvenna, Lancaster; Bill Stewart, Leicester
How to manage migration like the Swedish
From our UK edition
In the end, the German state of Thuringia did not fall into the hands of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). The party won the most votes in the recent election but was unable to form a coalition, meaning that Björn Höcke will not be the state’s minister-president. This is ideal for him: he can
Portrait of the week: State pension to rise, prisoners released early and a new owner for The Spectator
From our UK edition
Home The government won by 348 to 228 a Commons vote on limiting the winter fuel allowance for pensioners to those who qualified by poverty: 52 Labour MPs didn’t vote, one voted with the opposition; five MPs suspended from the Labour party also voted with the opposition. Three million people who began receiving the ‘new’ state
Wednesday
What’s next after the Trump-Kamala debate
Plus: Andrew Cuomo testifies about Covid nursing home deaths
Tuesday
Live commentary: the Trump-Harris debate
Featuring Amber Duke, Ben Domenech, Bridget Phetasy, Jacob Heilbrunn, Juan P. Villasmil, Kate Andrews, Matt McDonald, Roger Kimball, Ross Anderson, Teresa Mull and Zack Christenson
Monday
The Trump-Kamala showdown
Plus: Harris-Walz release platform & Trump pledges to jail election cheaters
Friday
Hunter pleads guilty to tax charges
Plus: Kamala Harris pulls in massive fundraising haul
Thursday
School portraits: snapshots of four notable schools
From our UK edition
Elstree, Berkshire Elstree – which educates boys and girls from three to 13 – is nestled in 150 acres of stunning countryside near Newbury in Berkshire. The school, which celebrated its 175th anniversary last year, says that its aim is two-fold: ‘to find out how a child is intelligent rather than how intelligent a child
Letters: Lucy Letby and the statistics myth
From our UK edition
Pensioners at risk Sir: Douglas Murray wonders what would have happened if a Conservative chancellor had announced the removal of the winter fuel payment (‘Labour’s age of miracles’, 31 August) and speculates about the reaction. No such speculation is needed: the Conservative manifesto of 2017 stated that it would means test this benefit, as Labour is
What are the most ‘unsettling’ artworks to hang in 10 Downing Street?
From our UK edition
The art of politics Keir Starmer moved a portrait of Lady Thatcher from one room at 10 Downing Street to another because he found it ‘unsettling’. Some more possibly unsettling artworks that have hung at No. 10: — ‘More Passion’, by Tracey Emin, featuring the words ‘More Passion’ in neon, was installed by David Cameron
2667: Orbital – solution
From our UK edition
The unclued lights are SATELLITES of planets, listed on page 1860 of Chambers 13th Edition. First prize Mark Richardson, Exeter Runners-up Steven Lodge, Bridgwater, Somerset; Amanda Spielman, London SW4
The real crisis in our school system
From our UK edition
For years, each school in England has been put in one of four categories: ‘outstanding’, ‘good’, ‘requires improvement’ and ‘inadequate’. While undoubtedly crude, the system offered clarity to parents. Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, has now abolished this categorisation structure but not yet said precisely what will replace it. Children are returning to school in
Portrait of the week: UK cancels Israel exports, Grenfell fire report released and AfD victory in Germany
From our UK edition
Home The government cancelled 30 out of 350 export licences for arms to Israel on items that it said could be used by Israel for ‘offensive purposes’ in Gaza. Israel Katz, the Israeli foreign minister, said: ‘A step like the one taken by the UK now sends a very problematic message to the Hamas terrorist
Wednesday
Do polls really matter after Labor Day?
Plus: Biden warns Russia is trying to influence the election
Which schools get the most pupils into Oxbridge?
From our UK edition
Oxford and Cambridge have released figures showing how many offers they gave to pupils from schools in the 2023 Ucas application cycle. We have combined the figures in this table. It shows how well state grammars and sixth-form colleges compete with independent schools. Over the years, both universities have increased the proportion of acceptances from
News pages
From our UK edition
i.m. Ian Jack (1945-2022) I feel awkward owning up to it, Ian, but I find I’m skimming the news pages. To bask in the light, listen to music, watch geese fly over and tulips glow doesn’t feel as if I’m selling my soul. Not that I skip the bullet points – bombs falling, democracies failing,
Friday
Trump promises free IVF
Plus: Kamala’s first interview as nominee falls flat
