The Spectator

Saturday

The Spectator

Barometer | 25 September 2010

From our UK edition

Party conferences • Public-sector pay • Who we blame for the deficit • British mammals Party conferences When the Liberal party and SDP merged in 1988 to form the Liberal Democrats, diehards of both parties went on alone. — Not even David Owen’s attempt finally to wind up the SDP in 1990 prevented some carrying on: 20 years later it has two councillors in Bridlington and three in Aberavon, South Wales. Its 2010 conference will be held at the Community Centre, Victoria Road, Bridlington, on Sunday 26 September at 10 a.m. sharp. — The Liberal party boasts 24 councillors and put up five parliamentary candidates in the 2010 election.

The Spectator

Letters | 25 September 2010

From our UK edition

Spectator readers respond to recent articles Thought crime, style crime Sir: I welcome the new presentation of The Spectator, along with the continuing commitment to ‘elegance of expression and originality of thought’, and providing ‘a refuge from an often censorious and humourless world’. These are the reasons why I subscribe, and I am seldom let down. Yet I see with disappointment that Melanie Phillips has been quick to exercise her right to oppose Spectator doctrine (‘I think, therefore I’m guilty’, 18 September). While I agree with the thrust of her argument, a less elegant, more censorious and humourless way of expressing it is difficult to imagine. Isn’t style crime just as bad as thought crime?

The Spectator

The night our house burnt down

From our UK edition

Murray Sayle, who died last weekend, wrote regularly for The Spectator. Here is an edited extract from his column of 13 May 1989. Aikawa, near Tokyo The night of 19 December last was cold and starry. Our house stood in a clearing in a pine forest halfway up a mountainside, and the flames could be seen a good ten miles away, down by the Nissan factory. Some of them even downed tools for a moment or two, we heard, wondering what the bright light was. Not that fires are unusual in Japan. Before the days of concrete cliffs they were called ‘The Flowers of Edo’, the old name of Tokyo.

The Spectator

Don’t knock the rich

From our UK edition

The Spectator on the Liberal party conference We appreciate that Nick Clegg and Vince Cable had a gallery to play to during their party’s conference — a gallery of left-leaning Liberal Democrats baying for attacks on the wealthy. The two ministers are in an awkward position, having joined a government that is attempting the first real cuts in government spending since the war. But denouncing capitalism and growling at the rich is no way for those now in power to conduct themselves. We have become accustomed to ignoring what the Lib Dems say at their conferences. Until now, it didn’t matter. But Mr Cable is now Business Secretary, and when he says that capitalism ‘takes no prisoners and kills competition when it can’, it is worth listening.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 24 September 2010

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson praises Clegg’s little bit of political S&M, and explains the problem with Cable’s posturing. James Forsyth says that attacking bonuses are a matter of political economy, and concedes that Nick Clegg still has more to do to bring his party with him. Peter Hoskin argues that David Miliband poses the greatest threat to the coalition, and notes that the Liberal Democrats are opposing the government’s school agenda. David Blackburn believes Labour will gain if the government chooses to delay the decision on renewing Trident, and thinks that Ulster Unionists will go into competition with the DUP. Susan Hill ponders the trials of age, in a whisper.

Thursday

The Spectator

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Risky Business

From our UK edition

The Spectator and KPMG hosted a conference recently that explored possible investment opportunities in today’s fragile geo-political climate. Panellists included Sir Malcolm Rifkind, John Ruffer, Lord Guthrie, Frank Gardner and Rory Stewart. CoffeeHousers can read James Forsyth’s magazine review of the debate here.

Monday

The Spectator

The reaction to Clegg’s speech

From our UK edition

Here is a selection of responses to Clegg's from across the blogosphere.  Fraser Nelson reflects on Clegg’s bout of political S&M.   James Forsyth hears Clegg talk to party not country.   Peter Hoskin watches Nick Clegg shade the coalition yellow.   Alex Massie describes it as ‘lacklustre’, but reckons the audience may have seen it differently.   Iain Martin says that Clegg looked confident, but the Lib Dems aren’t very sure about this government business.   Nick Robinson reviews a ‘largely defensive speech’ from Nick Clegg.    Comment is Free’s Jackie Ashley and Deborah Orr give their verdict.

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 20 September – 26 September

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 September 2010

From our UK edition

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson explains why he has stopped worrying and learned to love Nick Clegg, and live-blogs from the fringe. James Forsyth analyses Alexander’s arguments, and says that the coalition must make its case more forcefully. Peter Hoskin watches the Lib Dems deliver the right lines, and evaluates the Lib Dems’ Scottish problem. David Blackburn has news of Baroness Ashton, and ponders the reality of Nick Clegg’s ‘savage cuts’. And Rod Liddle asks how do you solve a problem like Sally Bercow.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 18 September 2010

From our UK edition

The ventures of faith Sir: Peter Hitchens eloquently describes the moral vacuum created by the permissive society, and suggests recourse to the Book of Common Prayer (‘In the shadow of the Pope’, 11 September). The world, however, will never be saved by beautiful prose. Indeed, aesthetic indulgence may all too easily substitute for moral rigour. ‘We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings,’ we Anglicans pray; ‘the remembrance of them is grievous unto us; the burden of them is intolerable.’ How glorious to surrender to such seductive self-flagellation. And then we go out and sin again. The Christian message is that we can overcome sin only through suffering.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 18 September 2010

From our UK edition

Home Pope Benedict XVI was expected to conclude a four-day state visit to Britain with the beatification of Cardinal Newman in Birmingham, after addressing Parliament at Westminster Hall and meeting the Queen in Edinburgh. David Cameron, the Prime Minister, called the visit ‘incredibly important and historic’. The Queen’s Speech, outlining the government programme of legislation, which was expected in the autumn of 2011, has been delayed until spring 2012. Derek Barnett, the president of the Police Superintendents’ Association, said that austerity is likely to lead to ‘disaffection, social and industrial tensions’. Unions at the BBC planned two 48-hour strikes, affecting coverage of the Conservative party conference.

The Spectator

Benedict brings hope

From our UK edition

But, if the protestors know where Benedict XVI stands on issues of sexual morality, they have a very shaky grasp of his precise relationship to these issues. The arrival of Pope Benedict XVI in Britain has provoked protests that, in the intesity of their anger, far exceed those that greet the state visits of blood-drenched dictators. That is because the Pope is seen to represent — in ascending order of secular distaste — religion, Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church and the conservative wing of Catholicism. Fair enough: Benedict does represent all of these things. He opposes atheism, regarding it as a desperately sad alienation of man from his creator.

The Spectator

Spot the difference

From our UK edition

You may notice that your Spectator looks a little different this week. We have updated its design, but cautiously, taking the best ideas from past magazines, and refreshing the rest. Even the tidiest house needs a little spring-cleaning from time to time. Many read the Spectator back to front, so our peerless books and arts sections now have their own opening page. Some readers felt that Taki and Jeremy Clarke were buried at the back of the Arts section, so we’ve given them a section of their own — Life begins at page 71. And we’ve made room for some shorter features as well as long reads. And what of the character of The Spectator? We’ve changed it not one jot. We have no interest in striving to be modern, and no need to either.

The Spectator

Barometer | 18 September 2010

From our UK edition

Papal visit Pope Benedict XVI visits Britain this week, only the second pope to do so. The first was John Paul II in 1982. Some facts and figures from his visit: — John Paul II’s native Poland was still behind the Iron Curtain and it was to be another 22 years before it joined the EU. Nevertheless, 24,000 Poles then living in Britain attended a mass at Crystal Palace. — As the media coverage intensified, 350,000 people attended open-air mass at Coventry Cathedral, a million lined the streets in Liverpool and 180,000 attended mass at York racecourse. —By the time the Pope reached Manchester, interest had waned. Only 200,000, compared with an estimate of 1 million, attended mass in the city.

The Spectator

No Fly – Best of the Rest

From our UK edition

Costa Cruises www.costacruises.co.uk 0845 351 0552 Inspired by music, the colourful interiors of the Costa Pacifica characterise the lively atmosphere onboard. The Pacifica sails from Dover to Savona in Italy for a nine-night cruise calling at Guernsey, Vigo, Lisbon, Valencia, Barcelona and Monte Carlo. On board there is a Grand Prix Simulator, a spectacular outer deck with glass roof and night cinema, and a theatre with exceptional sound quality. For relaxation, there is the Samsara Spa. From £689 per person. Cruise & Maritime Voyages www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0845 430 0274 Britain’s newest cruise line, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, has two small ships, Marco Polo and Ocean Countess that sail from six different British ports.

The Spectator

Enrichment – Best of the Rest

From our UK edition

Azamara Club Cruises www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk 0844 493 4016 Azamara offer upscale boutique cruises within the Royal Caribbean Cruise portfolio. Azamara prides itself on offering guests two or three nights in ports such as St Petersburg, Sorrento, Venice and Monte Carlo. Its two ships, Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey, take just 650 passengers each and are able to enter smaller harbours. Every cruise has a ‘destination specialist’ on board to give in-depth information about the ports of call. In December Quest will sail from Singapore to Hong Kong and in January it sets out for a 14-night Chinese New Year voyage. In the spring it will sail from Dubai to Athens. In April Journey will make a transatlantic voyage and a seven-night cruise of the Adriatic coast.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 17 September 2010

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson introduces the new look Spectator. James Forsyth asks who is behind Nick Boles’ proposed Tory-Liberal pact, and wonders if the polls are telling the story of the Labour leadership. Peter Hoskin says that Nick Clegg is getting forceful on welfare reform, and reports on Osborne and Cooper’s knock about. David Blackburn opposes the government’s EU policy, and argues that a Whitehall cabal has hijacked the spending review. Hon Ruth Richardson explains how she re-balanced New Zealand’s budget. Susan Hill ponders age. Rod Liddle stokes the moronic inferno. Alex Massie reflects on the Labour leadership.

Thursday

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 13 September – 19 September 

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… | 13 September 2010

From our UK edition

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson ponders what it is to be British. James Forsyth asks if anyone wants AV on its own merits, and reckons that there is a communication gap No.10 needs to fill. David Blackburn examines the case for Britain’s EU budget rebate, and ponders Frank Field’s limbo between fantasy and reality. And Alex Massie has some Sunday morning country.