The Spectator

Leading article: Britain’s riots: burning issues

From our UK edition

  When David Cameron returned from holiday on Tuesday to find volunteers cleaning up the mess left by the riots and shopkeepers making plans to protect their property at night, he did not dare mention the Big Society. Perhaps he should have. The Londoners who organised a clean-up — using the same technology as the thugs used for organising their looting — perfectly illustrated the point the prime minister has so often tried to make. Government has its limits and it is the action of ordinary people, on their own or working with others, that makes Britain tick. But it is the government that should protect the public from crime, educate the poor, and deter the wicked. On this, it is failing badly.

The week that was | 12 August 2011

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the last week. James Forsyth says that this is a conservative moment that Cameron must exploit, and responds to Cameron’s Commons’ statement. Peter Hoskin watches Cameron get tough, and exposes Osborne’s debt dilemma. David Blackburn notes that the Eurozone is still trying to maintain the status quo, and explains Angela Merkel’s quandary. Martin Bright says that this social crisis has been brewing for years. Alex Massie believes that Geoff Boycott is still the Greatest Living Yorkshireman. The Arts Blog has a psychedelic Dream. The Books Blog notes that the rioters didn’t break into any bookshops.

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 8 August – 14 August

From our UK edition

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers' Wall. For those who haven't come across the Wall before, it's a post we put up each Monday, on which — providing your writing isn't libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency — you'll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no topic, so there's no need to stay 'on topic', which means you'll be able to debate with each other more freely and extensively. There's also no constraint on the length of what you write — so, in effect, you can become Coffee House bloggers. Anything's fair game, from political stories in your local paper, to chat about the latest football results.

Just in case you missed them… | 8 August 2011

From our UK edition

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson says that Twitter covered the London riots, and watches America continuing to unravel. Peter Hoskin listens to China bearing down on the “debt-ridden” United States, and asks if the Darling Plan would have satisfied the credit rating agencies. Jonathan Jones reveals that Obama is still on for re-election, just. And the Arts Blog reviews The Killing.

Letters | 6 August 2011

From our UK edition

Spectator readers respond to recent articles REASONS TO DISLIKE THE WEALTHY Sir: There is much good sense in what Tim Montgomerie writes (‘Afraid of being right’, 30 July), but if his views are to triumph, those who support them need to understand that the people of Great Britain do not hate the wealth-creators because they are rich, but because they are so often and so obviously greedy, selfish and unpleasant, and because they now experience so little pressure within their own circles to behave any better. R.S. Foster Sheffield THE CASE FOR HANDBALL Sir: Andrew Gilligan (‘A gold medal for idiocy’, 30 July) clearly has some strong views about the London Olympics, but his decision to pick handball as an example to mock was a poor one.

Portrait of the week | 6 August 2011

From our UK edition

This week's Portrait of the week HOME William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, said there was ‘not a remote possibility’ of using force against Syria, even with United Nations backing. The Commons defence committee said that cuts to the Armed Forces might prevent their doing whatever was needed after 2015. Mike Clasper, the chairman of HM Revenue & Customs, apologised for its poor performance last year in answering telephone calls and replying to letters. Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister, said the government saved £3.75 billion from May 2010 to March 2011 by cutting the Civil Service and renegotiating contracts with suppliers.

Leading article: Syria – the wisdom of restraint

From our UK edition

Syria – the wisdom of restraint Sometimes it is braver to do nothing; more courageous for a politician to admit openly that he cannot save the day than it is for him to call for immediate action. Too many of our leaders are too quick to cry ‘something must be done’, without worrying about whether that something will make things better or worse. Which is why William Hague deserves credit this week for stating clearly and firmly that Britain cannot and will not intervene in Syria. The Foreign Secretary was rightly criticised in the early days of the Arab Spring for being slow to grasp the gravity of the situation, but this week he has been quick off the mark and admirably candid.

The week that was | 5 August 2011

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk during the past week: The Spectator publishes its summer reading list, featuring the revelation that David Cameron reads books backwards. Fraser Nelson says that the ghost of Gordon Brown still hovers over the 50p tax debate. Peter Hoskin reveals which government department could be replaced with a mathematical equation, and sifts through a bet-hedging report from the IMF. Peter Hoskin and Jonathan Jones write an open letter to Will Straw about deficit reduction. David Blackburn wonders whether capital punishment is to be debated in Parliament, and says that the government is split over policing the Internet. Daniel Korski says that the massacre in Hama hastens the need to tackle Assad.

The Spectator’s summer reading list

From our UK edition

As the headline suggests, what follows is a list of summer reading recommendations from Spectator staff members and writers — with more to come shortly. Although, it must be said, there is one contributor who doesn't really count as a Spectator staff member or writer... David Cameron: I’ve been reading a book called Skippy Dies by Paul Murray, an Irish writer. I read it when I was in Ibiza and I haven’t managed to finish it, so I’ve picked it up again. What else have I got? I tend to have a pile of books that I dip into. For instance, I’ve got Simon Sebag Montefiore’s Jerusalem. I've been reading that from the end backwards, which is a slightly strange approach. Mark Amory: We are going to Corsica at the end of August.

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 1 August – 6 August

From our UK edition

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers' Wall. For those who haven't come across the Wall before, it's a post we put up each Monday, on which — providing your writing isn't libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency — you'll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no topic, so there's no need to stay 'on topic', which means you'll be able to debate with each other more freely and extensively. There's also no constraint on the length of what you write — so, in effect, you can become Coffee House bloggers. Anything's fair game, from political stories in your local paper, to chat about the latest football results.

Just in case you missed them… | 1 August 2011

From our UK edition

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Peter Hoskin notes that the public is behind Ed Balls on cutting VAT, gives some context to the death penalty debate, and wonders if the Mili-wounds are healing. Daniel Korski says that Egyptian revolution is still on track. Alex Massie asks if the coalition was a mistake. The Arts Blog goes to Journey’s End.