The Spectator

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 20 January 2012

From our UK edition

Here are some posts made on Spectator.co.uk during the past week: Fraser Nelson says that David Cameron understands capitalism, and argues that inflation at 4.2 per cent is nothing to cheer. James Forsyth reports on Boris's appearance before the 1922 Select Committee, and reveals Michael Gove's yacht proposal in full. Peter Hoskin highlights the new politics of leaning on business, and draws the Lib Dems' differentiation strategy. Jonathan Jones watches Boris's poll lead evaporate, and reports on Jon Huntsman's departure from the Republican race. Nick Cohen reckons that Ed Miliband's economic position isn't confusing at all. Rod Liddle explains how to ensure that the Union ends with mourning. Alex Massie rethinks high speed rail.

Monday

The Spectator

Just in case you missed them… | 16 January 2012

From our UK edition

...here are some posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the weekend: James Forsyth reports on Ed Miliband's defiant performance on the Marr show, and reports on Simon Hughes' comments about the benefits cap. Jonathan Jones reckons that Ed Balls' attempt at credibility fell short, and sees Miliband trump Miliband in the polls. Martin Bright says that Labour needs to get used to being the third party. Alex Massie has some Saturday morning country for your listening pleasure. And the Spectator Book Blog interviews its latest Bookbencher, Robin Walker MP.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 14 January 2012

From our UK edition

Pick your battleSir: In your leading article ‘Save the Union’ (7 January), you allude to Alex Salmond’s plan to hold a referendum on Scottish independence shortly after the 700th anniversary of the battle on Bannockburn. I suggest a referendum on the 500th anniversary of the battle of Flodden Field (September 2013) when we English comprehensively scotched the ambitions of our northern neighbour. Voting should be for Scots both north and south of the border. (If voting included the English, the Scots would certainly be bundled off.) Alan Naismith-Binder Speldhurst, Kent War elephantsSir: Patrick Allitt (‘Elephant trap’, 7 January) nicely pegs some of the difficulties that the Republican candidates face ahead of the 2012 election against President Obama.

The Spectator

Barometer | 14 January 2012

From our UK edition

War horsesSteven Spielberg’s film War Horse was released this week. How many horses were killed in British Army service during the first world war? — According to the Official History of the War Veterinary Services, it was 484,143. — Michael Morpurgo, on the other hand, says he asked the Imperial War Museum before writing War Horse in 1982, and was told ‘at least a million’. — And on the German side? 9,586,000, according to the dedication of a German history of the war published in 1929. Sick buildingsHammersmith Flyover has been closed because it has a form of corrosion known as ‘concrete cancer’.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 14 January 2012

From our UK edition

HomeThe High Speed 2 rail link between London and Birmingham is to go ahead, Justine Greening, the Secretary of State for Transport, announced. The stretch to Birmingham would be completed by 2026, but a connection to Heathrow not until 2033, when the extensions to Manchester and Leeds would be finished. The cost of the project would be £32.7 billion. David Cameron, the Prime Minister, said in a separate initiative that shareholders would be empowered to limit the pay of company executives. Bob Holness, one of the first presenters on Radio 2 from 1967 and later the presenter of the television game Blockbusters, died, aged 83. ••• Mr Cameron said he wanted Scotland to hold a binding referendum on independence earlier than 2014.

The Spectator

Cameron’s best weapon

From our UK edition

When Ed Miliband stands up in the House of Commons, he might be surprised to hear the loudest cheers coming from the wrong side of the chamber. He is becoming an unlikely Tory champion, the man who’ll do more than anyone else to ensure that David Cameron wins an outright majority at the next general election. Labour MPs grumble, but loyalty is hardwired into their collective DNA. As Gordon Brown knew, the word ‘unity’ has a near-hypnotic effect on his party. Labour has never ejected a bad leader. Unlike the Tories, they have not mastered the art of political regicide. So Labour seems to be stuck with a leader whom its MPs are unwilling to support or supplant. Miliband was little-known when elected.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 13 January 2012

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the past week: Fraser Nelson says the battle for Britain has begun, and explains why IDS's welfare reforms are so important. James Forsyth looks at the battle lines being drawn over Scotland and wonders if Spain might prevent its independence. Peter Hoskin reports on Ed Miliband's insipid speech and asks what's next for the welfare reforms. From Edinburgh, Hamish Macdonell says Alex Salmond's running rings around Cameron. Jonathan Jones reports on Mitt Romney's comfortable win in New Hampshire, and takes an early look at the Obama-Romney electoral map.