The Spectator

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 15 October 2010

Fraser Nelson highlights the Tories defying a profligate EU. James Forsyth watches Ed Miliband start with a bang, and sifts through the political consequences of the tuition fees decision. Peter Hoskin says that reforming incapacity benefit is crucial, and reports on Philip Green's attempt to bring Arcadia to Whitehall. David Blackburn reports on Alan Johnson's performance at the dispatch box, and summarises the recommnedations of the Browne review. Martin Bright calls for some humility from Labour. Susan Hill draws the line at a book-signing event. Rod Liddle reveals his headline of the month. Alex Massie outlines the culture war behind the Big Society. Melanie Phillips watches decency fight back.

Monday

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CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 11 October – 17 October

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… | 11 October 2010

… here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Ed Howker reveals the full tragedy of Britain’s welfare ghettos. Fraser Nelson argues that Ed Miliband’s shadow cabinet is defensive, and highlights Cameron's greatest weakness. James Forsyth discusses the consequences of the child benefit row, and examines Cameron’s motives. Peter Hoskin notes the transformation of kindly Alan Johnson, and says that the coalition shares Vince Cable’s discomfort over university funding. David Blackburn watches Andrew Lansley try to reassure the doubters, and believes that Labour will target Theresa May. And Alex Massie defends Nick Clegg from the Mail on Sunday’s shrill attacks.

Saturday

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Letters | 9 October 2010

Sir: I enjoyed Robert Stewart’s review of the book about James I’s grasp of spin (Books, 2 October), but there is one fact he omits. On pets and people Sir: Baroness Warnock makes a point — frequently made by those who advocate human euthanasia (‘Moral authority’, 2 October) — that ‘we recognise that in animals, when they’re suffering, it’s best to put them out of their misery’. Leaving aside any moral or spiritual issues, a practical, and vital, difference between animals and people is that animals do not have estates to bequeath, legacies to leave, wills to make and the complex paraphernalia of property and revenue.

The Spectator

In it together

It has been a remarkable week for the bright young Tories who worked for John Major in the 1992 election campaign. At the time, David Cameron, Steve Hilton and their friends were young praetorians who, after the Conservatives were returned to office, credited themselves with snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. They nearly did the opposite in May, but there was no sense of disappointment at the Tory party conference in Birmingham. It looked and felt more like a victory parade for the New Establishment. The word Conservative could hardly be seen inside the conference hall, and the chosen motto, ‘Together in the national interest’‚ suggests coalition rather than party. But Mr Cameron and his lieutenants proudly eschew tribal politics.

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The wisdom of Pitkin

While we mourn the comic actor Sir Norman Wisdom, who died on Monday aged 95, we should also celebrate the incurable optimism of his most famous character — Norman Pitkin. Remembered principally for his trademark stumbles, flailing limbs, and saying ‘Mr Grimsdale!’, Pitkin, played by Wisdom in numerous films during the 1950s and 1960s, was the ultimate ‘little man’ who wouldn’t give up. Pitkin was never downcast for long, he rose to the occasion — any occasion — and battled the odds. Cloth-capped, and wearing a jacket that was two sizes too small, Pitkin, or ‘the Gump’ as his character was affectionately known, was a symbol of dogged resistance to conformity and a champion of individuality.

The Spectator

Portrait of the Week – 9 October 2010

Home At the beginning of the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced on the radio that from 2013 child benefits would be withdrawn from any family where one parent earns more than about £44,000 a year. Home At the beginning of the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced on the radio that from 2013 child benefits would be withdrawn from any family where one parent earns more than about £44,000 a year. He also told the conference that the maximum amount of benefits any family could claim would be about £26,000, the amount ‘the average family gets for going out to work’.

The Spectator

Barometer – 9 October 2010

Although elder siblings are often claimed to be natural leaders and second children natural rebels, none of the last seven prime ministers have been eldest siblings.     Although elder siblings are often claimed to be natural leaders and second children natural rebels, none of the last seven prime ministers have been eldest siblings.     —David Cameron is third of four children. —Gordon Brown is middle of three sons. —Tony Blair has an elder brother and younger sister. —John Major is younger of two brothers; Margaret Thatcher younger of two sisters. —Jim Callaghan and Harold Wilson both had elder sisters.

The Spectator

Barometer | 9 October 2010

Family politics Although elder siblings are often claimed to be natural leaders and second children natural rebels, none of the last seven prime ministers have been eldest siblings. Family politics Although elder siblings are often claimed to be natural leaders and second children natural rebels, none of the last seven prime ministers have been eldest siblings. —David Cameron is third of four children. —Gordon Brown is middle of three sons. —Tony Blair has an elder brother and younger sister. —John Major is younger of two brothers; Margaret Thatcher younger of two sisters. —Jim Callaghan and Harold Wilson both had elder sisters.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 8 October 2010

Here is a selection of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson groans as David Cameron resuscitates the Big Society, and urges George Osborne to go even further on middle class benefits. James Forsyth denies that the Tories have committed their ‘10p tax mistake’, and awaits the end of universal benefit. Peter Hoskin watches IDS set out a vision to alleviate poverty, and explains how Osborne and IDS are working closely on welfare reform. David Blackburn wonders what the Tory right and libertarians made of Cameron’s disavowal of laissez-faire, and reveals that the Scottish Tories won’t oppose AV. Martin Bright goes in search of the Big Society. Susan Hill joins the conversation.

Thursday

Wednesday

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Reaction: David Cameron’s speech

Here is a selection of the blogosphere’s reaction to Cameron’s speech. Fraser Nelson notes that Cameron has resuscitated the Big Society. James Forsyth urges Cameron to concentrate on people power. Peter Hoskin ponders a peculiar speech from the Prime Minister. David Blackburn wonders what to make of Cameron’s disavowal of laissez-faire. Alex Massie asks if Britain is up to Cameron's challenge. Michael White notes that Cameron’s joviality will keep the welfare dogs at bay. Andrew Porter delivers his verdict on Dave’s ‘slick’ performance. Tim Montgomerie describes it as ‘forgettable’. Toby Helm thought it ‘a profound disappointment’.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 4 October – 10 October

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… | 4 October 2010

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson says Cameron will seek to de-Toryfy the Tory conference, and praises the coalition’s welfare reform. James Forsyth wonders how many Lib Dems are to the right of their Tory colleagues, and speculates that Ken Clarke is in the firing line. Peter Hoskin notes the resurrection of the Coulson saga, and defends the OBR. David Blackburn reckons George Osborne is in championship winning form, and believes the government’s split on defence is part of a wider split within Whitehall. And Rod Liddle supports the BBC strikers.

Saturday

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Letters | 2 October 2010

Spectator readers respond to recent articles Darwinian faith Sir: I am always amazed at how little Darwin’s devotees seem to know about his theory of how evolution came about. In addressing the familiar riddle of why the fossil record does not show ‘intermediate forms’ between one species and another, Mr Lewin (Letters, 25 September) caustically claims that ‘intermediate is a mischief-word employed by creationists’. Had he read my article more carefully (or, more to the point, had he ever read The Origin of Species), he would realise that it was Darwin himself who first queried the absence of those ‘intermediate forms’.

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The Tories need to talk

Liam Fox has certainly given the Tories something to talk about as they gather for the party conference this weekend. Liam Fox has certainly given the Tories something to talk about as they gather for the party conference this weekend. Everything that he wrote in his leaked letter to David Cameron is true: the Conservatives in opposition promised to be tough on defence; in government, however, they propose to degrade Britain’s military to the extent that it would be unable to repeat successful operations such as the one carried out in Sierra Leone. This government is determined at all costs to protect the NHS budget and spend more (borrowed) money on overseas aid — while the military’s budget is to be cut to pieces.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 2 October 2010

The Spectator's portrait of the week Home Ed Miliband, aged 40, was elected leader of the Labour party by 50.65 per cent of the vote, to 49.35 per cent for his brother David, aged 45. Ed Miliband had gained 15.522 per cent from MPs, 15.198 from party members — both lower figures than his brother, but 19.934 from unions. His speech to the Labour party conference used the words ‘new generation’ 15 times but invoked without apparent irony ‘the optimism of Harold Wilson and the white heat of technology’. David Miliband repeatedly called his brother ‘special’, but, during the passage in the speech disowning the Iraq war, he said to Harriet Harman next to him: ‘You voted for it. Why are you clapping?

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What’s not to like

The Spectator on Emma Thompson and contemporary English Was Emma Thompson right to berate a group of schoolgirls this week for saying ‘like’ and ‘innit’? Many Spectator readers would, we imagine, have cheered her on. It is annoying the way today’s teenagers pepper their speech with ‘like’ and put ‘innit?’ at the end of each sentence. But if Miss Thompson is determined to improve articulacy, she is attacking the wrong target. After all, English is mistreated in many other more pernicious ways — and by adults, not children. Look at what ‘management speak’ is doing to the mother tongue.