The Spectator

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 8 January 2011

From our UK edition

Godly geologists Sir: Bruce Anderson’s article in your Christmas special (‘Confession of an atheist’, 18/25 December) was a great example of the thoughtful and reasonable atheism of which we have been starved over recent years. That said, he still makes one howling and oft-repeated error when he claims that Christianity never recovered ‘from the loss of medieval cosmology and the emergence of modern geology’. The idea that it was science that was somehow responsible for the waning of Western religion is a relatively recent one, its origins lying in a number of popular but egregious histories of the two disciplines published in the late 19th century. It is badly wide of the mark. The scientific revolution has its origins in narrowly Christian convictions.

The Spectator

Barometer | 8 January 2011

From our UK edition

Prison regimes A riot at Ford Open Prison in Sussex raised questions as to the regime in jails. This is some of what prisoners can expect: — Category A (Whitemoor, Cambs): work opportunities in recycling, laundry and restoring computers for schools in Africa. Courses in thinking skills and anger management. Gym, sports hall and Astroturf. Prisoners may apply for two PE sessions within a working week, one in the evening and two at the weekends. Acupuncture for staff and prisoners. Visits Thur-Mon 1400-1600, must be booked 24 hours in advance. — Category B (Wandsworth): courses include bricklaying/plastering, industrial cleaning. Multi-choice pre-select menu with halal and vegetarian options. Visits every morning and afternoon.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 8 January 2011

From our UK edition

Home Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, said that the rise in VAT from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent would cost the average family £7.50 a week. George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: ‘If you look at the population and how much they spend, then VAT is progressive.’ The average price of a pint of lager rose to more than £3. A railway season ticket to Sidcup rose by 12.5 per cent, among many others higher than the average of 5.8 per cent. In some places domestic rubbish went uncollected for a month because of bad weather and holidays. A fox weighing 28lb was trapped at Maidstone in Kent, suspected of having killed a cat.

The Spectator

Leader: King’s ransom

From our UK edition

When George Osborne decided to raise VAT, more months ago than he will admit, he did not imagine that he would be compounding the worst inflation in Western Europe. Prices are currently falling in Ireland, flat in Germany and rising only slightly throughout the rest of the Eurozone and America. But in Britain, inflation is back with a vengeance. This week, millions of shopkeepers raised prices by far more than the 2.1 per cent needed to accommodate the new tax. They did so not out of greed, but in preparation for a year of rising heating, staff and transport costs. The shopkeepers realise what Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank of England, does not: that Britain is once again in an inflationary spiral. The Retail Price Index stands at 4.7 per cent.

Friday

The Spectator

Responding to CoffeeHousers on inflation

From our UK edition

Inflation is one of the most important topics around right how so I thought I’d respond to CoffeeHousers' comments in a post rather than the original thread. Nick and Gareth Sutcliffe say that inflation is due to global forces (and they're right insofar as metals, food, etc are all going up). But if the money supply is managed properly, this needn't push consumer prices too high – most other countries have stable inflation, as the first chart in my post shows: Britain is in Greek territory. My point: the British level of inflation is exceptional. Greenslime suggests price controls – a very bad idea. Even Marx saw this. The prices of things transmit valuable information about supply and demand: without it, economies are doomed.

The Spectator

The week that was | 7 January 2011

From our UK edition

Here is a selection of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson is pleased that Gove’s school reforms have reached a ‘tipping point’, and weighs up King’s ransom. James Forsyth charts the political fallout from the VAT increase, and says there is all to play for in Oldham East. Peter Hoskin observes IPSA offering MPs an olive branch, and asks if Osborne will be vindicated in 2015. David Blackburn says the right should have few causes of concern, and examines the flaws in Ed Miliband’s economic argument. Daniel Korski is concerned for democracy in Belarus. Martin Bright considers the new enterprise allowance.

Tuesday

The Spectator

Just in case you missed them… | 4 January 2011

From our UK edition

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the Christmas holiday. Fraser Nelson considers the future of the newspaper industry, and welcomes you to a debt-filled 2011. James Forsyth says that the Oldham East by-election will determine whether Clegg or Miliband is under pressure, and previews the rebellions to come. Peter Hoskin argues that 2011 is all about growth, and notices that Ed Miliband’s party funding proposals are purely presentational. Melanie McDonagh ponders the parentage of Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish John. Sebastian. E. Payne disagrees with Fraser Nelson: there’s life in print yet. Dan Hodges says that the momentum is shifting against AV. Daniel Korski makes 6 predictions for 2011.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 3 January – 9 January

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.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 1 January 2011

From our UK edition

An education Sir: Quite apart from the pressure the Gaokao exam puts on students (Letters, 18/25 December), the Chinese education system is unsatisfactory in other ways. I taught English to undergraduates in Beijing for two years and it could be a dispiriting experience. Chinese students are taught very intensively, there is a lot of learning by repetition, and they are also drilled so that they do not ever offend against the party line. You could say they are taught not to think, although that would be a bit unfair. Anyway, they are going to rule the world so it’s all academic. Rebecca Jed, London SW4 Sir: Oliver Lewis made some valid comparisons between the level of difficulty of certain British and Chinese exams (‘The Gaokao challenge’, 11 December).

The Spectator

Leader: Winter sunshine

From our UK edition

Every day of this new year, some 200,000 people are likely to be lifted out of what the United Nations defines as extreme poverty: living on $1.25 a day or less. Every day of this new year, some 200,000 people are likely to be lifted out of what the United Nations defines as extreme poverty: living on $1.25 a day or less. This remarkable pace of improvement will probably quicken over the rest of the decade. This is not due to any government development goal or charity outreach programme. It is driven by global capitalism, just like the transformation of India, China and other emerging markets. We are living in a golden age of poverty reduction, yet we seldom hear about it. Politicians and the media tend, for good reason, to focus on the world’s problems.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 1 January 2011

From our UK edition

Home Nine men were charged with conspiracy to bomb London targets such as the Stock Exchange and the tower of Big Ben before Christmas. Three of the men, aged between 19 and 28, came from Cardiff, two from London and four from Stoke-on-Trent. The Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, Bishop of Winchester, spoke of ‘an imbalance in the legal position with regard to the freedom of Christians and people of other faiths to pursue the calling of their faith in public life’. Stephen Griffiths, the self-styled Crossbow Cannibal, was said to be refusing food in jail after his conviction for murdering three prostitutes. Prince William and his fiancée Kate Middleton said they would do without servants after their wedding, for the time being at least.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 27 December – 2 January

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.

Thursday

The Spectator

Happy Christmas | 23 December 2010

From our UK edition

Coffee House will be going a bit quieter over the next few days – so a quick post just to wish CoffeeHousers a happy Christmas, and to thank you for reading and contributing over the past year. We won't be falling completely silent, though. Tune in over Christmas for occasional posts, as well as a few selections from The Spectator archives. And, in the meantime, beware any "constituents" bearing tape recorders.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 20 December – Boxing Day

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.

The Spectator

Just in case you missed them… | 20 December 2010

From our UK edition

...here are some posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the weekend: Fraser Nelson previews the coming war between the coalition and the councils. James Forsyth highlights the 'end of men' debate, and says that princes and politics don't mix. Peter Hoskin reports on some less than encouraging polls for Ed Miliband, and observes Vince Cable taking it to the banks. David Blackburn says that the localism bill will empower communities, not councillors, and dissects Operation Coulson. Daniel Korski battles the snow at Gatwick airport. Martin Bright wonders whether Ed Miliband is getting any advice on foreign affairs. Nick Cohen notes the differences between US and Cuban healthcare reforms. Susan Hill celebrates board games.

Saturday

The Spectator

Leader: How to keep a promise

From our UK edition

So much has happened since the general election that it is hard to press events into a meaningful pattern. The first coalition since the second world war, the deepest cuts since the 1970s, our military’s budget slashed, and the extraordinary (if predictable) crisis in the eurozone. The coalition has begun with remarkable energy and purpose. But where is the government going right? And where wrong? The end of the year is a good time to take stock. The coalition’s success so far has lain in its ability to marry Conservative economic liberalism with Lib Dem democratic radicalism. Its agenda, the coalition agreement, was inspired as much by the vision of Tory localists, such as Douglas Carswell and Daniel Hannan, as by the Lib Dems’ Orange Book.

The Spectator

Letters | 18 December 2010

From our UK edition

Too stern a test Sir: I commend Oliver Lewis for his well-made points about the lack of rigour in British examinations in comparison to those of the Chinese (‘The Gaokao challenge’, 11 December). We need to up our game. The Gaokao exam is not beyond rebuke, however. The extremely high level of academic standards in China puts terrible pressure on the nine million students who take the exam. This year, three suicides were reported on the first day of the Gaokao. The fact that such reports emerge every year suggests a balance needs to be struck between improving our academic standards and pushing the students too far.

The Spectator

Barometer | 18 December 2010

From our UK edition

Their year — 2010 was the International Year of Biodiversity and the Nurse (both according to the UN); and the Year of the Seafarer (International Maritime Organisation), the Lung (Forum of International Respiratory Societies) and the Tiger (China). — 2011 will be the International Year of Forests (UN) and Chemistry (UNESCO), the European Year of the Volunteer (European Commission) and the Year of the Bat (United Nations Environmental Programme), the Bible (Methodist Church), the Zinnia (National Gardens Bureau) and the Rabbit (China). — The UN International Year of Youth began in August 2010, and will continue until July 2011.

The Spectator

Christmas Survey: What will happen in 2011?

From our UK edition

Some notable friends of ‘The Spectator’ share their hopes, fears and predictions for the year ahead Dame Eileen Atkins I hope we start getting education right. Michael Gove is correct when he says we should go back to an emphasis on five basic subjects: English, maths, geography, history and a foreign language. These should not be purely the province of the naturally academic. I grew up on a council estate. It was not expected that anyone from my area would go to university. My honorary degree was one of my proudest moments. There is no use making education easy and then celebrating success if young people leave school unable to write or add up.

The Spectator

Portrait of the year

From our UK edition

January Britain crept out of recession, with 0.1 per cent growth in the previous three months. Full-body scanners were to be introduced at British airports after a man tried to blow up a plane with explosives hidden in his underpants. Snow swept the land with the temperature falling to minus 22.3°C. An earthquake killed tens of thousands in Haiti and perhaps 1.5 million were made homeless. Mehmet Ali Agca, who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981, was released from prison in Turkey. Ali Hassan al-Majid, ‘Chemical Ali’, was hanged in Iraq. A British citizen was executed in China for smuggling 9lb of heroin. China said it had become the world’s biggest exporter. February Labour unveiled the slogan ‘A future fair for all’.