The Spectator

Holiday

From our UK edition

‘John and I couldn’t agree on a holiday destination so we’re going to one of my choosing instead.’

God 2

From our UK edition

‘No? Really? How absolutely fascinating...just how exactly did you expect me to look?’

Stem

From our UK edition

‘So exactly what kind of stem cells did they use in your therapy?’

Floods

From our UK edition

‘The property has some unique features: a sunken garden, sunken garden shed, sunken patio…’

Floods of incompetence – why Chris Smith should resign from the Environment Agency

From our UK edition

[audioplayer src=’http://traffic.libsyn.com/spectator/TheViewFrom22_6_February_2014_v4.mp3′ title=’Fraser Nelson discusses the Environment Agency:’ startat=1350] Listen [/audioplayer]When Prince Charles arrived in Somerset to meet some of those caught up in the disaster which in five weeks has drowned 50 square miles of that county in floodwater, a reporter asked him whether he blamed the Environment Agency. Judiciously, he replied, ‘You may

Barometer: When Britain was good at the Winter Olympics

From our UK edition

Our first winter Hopes will not be high for a big haul of British medals in Sochi, but we have not always been Cinderellas at winter sports. In the first Winter Olympics in Chamonix in 1924 Britain sent 44 competitors, more than any other country, and ended up sixth in the medals, above the host

Portrait of the week: water, water, everywhere

From our UK edition

Home The Somerset Levels continued to wallow in floods. The Environment Agency was widely blamed for not having dredged channels, and for putting the welfare of water voles before flood prevention. Its chairman, Lord Smith of Finsbury, said there were ‘tricky issues of policy and priority: town or country, front rooms or farmland?’ The Prince