The Spectator

Saturday

The Spectator

Make work pay

Just occasionally, a government comes up with a proposal that is so sensible it makes the opposition’s kneejerk criticism seem pathetically misjudged. So it is with David Cameron’s plan to use data from credit agencies to trap benefit cheats who are stealing £5.6 billion annually from the taxpayer. Opponents will have to do better to explain why this is an incursion on civil liberties when exactly the same information is used on a routine basis by banks and retailers to judge customers’ creditworthiness. If a benefit claimant is spending £2,000 a month on his credit card while supposedly unfit to work, it is the government’s duty to pick this up.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 13 August 2010

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. James Forsyth argues that the government must resist the EU's latest attempt to raise tax, and says that IDS’ resignation would be a catastrophe. Peter Hoskin welcomes the government’s transparent approach to worklessness, and introduces the questions surrounding Cameron’s benefit crackdown. David Blackburn prepares to be nudged, and says that the Bank of England’s growth revisions needn’t worry Osborne. Susan Hill is opposed to bull-fighting. Rod Liddle hits out at the self-confessed ‘Bag Nazis’. And Alex Massie remembers Jimmy Reid.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 9 August – 15 August

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… | 9 August 2010

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Peter Hoskin explains the Treasury’s cutting difficulty, analyses the politics of the Lib Dem conference, and praises David Cameron’s presentation of cuts. David Blackburn says that opposing social housing reforms looks like a marginal issue, and argues that David Cameron cannot become known as ‘The Milk Snatcher’. Rod Liddle notes that MPs have joined the huddled masses against bureaucratic sententiousness. Alex Massie ponders the Ground-Zero mosque. And Melanie Phillips considers Jihadiwood and America’s auto-immune disease.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 7 August 2010

Neocon Coughlin Sir: Con Coughlin’s article (‘How we lost the war’, 31 July) criticising David Cameron’s supposed disenchantment with our bogged-down campaign in Afghanistan confirms him as the Henry Newbolt of our day. He does not see this conflict in terms of a cost-benefit analysis in relation to the security and wealth of the United Kingdom, but in terms of moral obligation — ‘a mission’. But why should Cameron, as the Prime Minister of a Conservative and Liberal-Democrat coalition in 2010, be morally bound by a commitment unwisely entered into in 2001 by Tony Blair in the aftermath of 9/11?

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Portrait of the week | 7 August 2010

Mr David Cameron, the Prime Minister, and Mr Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, rather oddly wrote a letter to the rest of the Cabinet. ‘Deficit reduction and continuing to ensure economic recovery is the most urgent issue facing Britain,’ they said. Mr George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that banks had an ‘obligation’ to increase their lending: ‘Every small and medium-sized company that I have visited in recent weeks has had some problem with their bank,’ he said. The profits of HSBC, which took no money from the government during the financial crisis, doubled for the first half of the year to £7 billion. Lloyds, 41 per cent of which is owned by the taxpayer, made £1.

The Spectator

Capital stuff

The Spectator on Boris Johnson’s new bicycle-sharing scheme Boris Johnson’s new bicycle-sharing scheme has had its share of ‘teething problems’, as the Mayor himself admits. Some Londoners have had to be refunded, for instance, after they were overcharged by the complicated bike ‘docking’ system. But it’s a tribute to Boris that Londoners have taken the difficulties in their stride as part of the general fun, and with their jolly, chunky design, the London bikes could become icons of the capital — thought of as fondly as red buses or black cabs. Boris’s cycling revolution has begun: bright blue ‘cycle superhighways’ come next, and a new unit of bicycling bobbies.

The Spectator

Double standards

Some prime ministers settle immediately on the international stage, others take their time to adjust to the nuances required in dealing with the assortment of democratically elected politicians, benign dictators and outright rogues who lead the world. David Cameron, so far, has struggled, achieving within three months something that took Blair six years: having his effigy burnt on the streets of a foreign capital, just weeks before a meeting with the president of that country. At least Mr Cameron and Pakistan’s President Zardari should be able to talk convivially about the cricket — unlike the last one, the current England vs Pakistan Test series has not been sullied by accusations of ball-tampering.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 6 August 2010

Here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the past week: Fraser Nelson says that there is no Cabinet rift on benefit reform. Peter Hoskin uncovers the equality landmines that Labour have left the coalition, and reports on a ranking of post-war prime ministers. Andrew Haldenby begins a series of posts by the think-tank Reform in anticipation of the Spending Review. Susan Hill asks for your advice. Rod Liddle reveals the most irritating politician of the last 50 years. Alex Massie gives his take on the 'Ground Zero Mosque'. Melanie Phillips wonders who will come out on top in the welfare wrestling match. Faith Based highlights the problem with abortion adverts on TV.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 2 August – 8 August

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… | 2 August 2010

...here are some posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the weekend: Fraser Nelson urges David Cameron to take this chance to end the giant evil of welfare dependency. Peter Hoskin says that the coalition's challenge will be implementing its reforms, and outlines the growing Lib Dem conundrum. Susan Hill recounts her experience of knocking down a cyclist. Rod Liddle skewers some more hypocrisy from John Prescott. Melanie Phillips highlights as case of no-win journalism. And the Spectator Arts Blog asks, Sherlock Who?

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 31 July 2010

Colourful Mo Sir: I am surprised to read Charles Moore (The Spectator’s Notes, 24 July) opine that ‘in a better world’ there would have been no film about Mo Mowlam but instead one depicting the ‘heroic struggles’ of Owen Paterson. Mo Mowlam was vibrant, colourful and exuberant — an authentic character who was in every sense entertaining. Her story captivated millions; her unorthodoxy was appealing and her eccentricities made for compulsive viewing. She spoke her mind, even when that mind’s capacity was in moving decline. A film about Owen Paterson, by contrast, would not only be irredeemably dull; it would be viewed in just two households — those of Paterson and (if he has paid his TV licence) Moore.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 31 July 2010

Mr David Cameron, the Prime Minister, visited India, and on the way said he was ‘angry’ that negotiations for Turkey to join the European Union were so slow. Mr David Cameron, the Prime Minister, visited India, and on the way said he was ‘angry’ that negotiations for Turkey to join the European Union were so slow. While Mr Cameron was abroad earlier in America, Mr Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, had spoken in the Commons of the ‘illegal invasion of Iraq’. Four in ten people who said they had voted Lib-Dem would not have done had they known the party would enter a coalition with the Tories, a poll of 1,009 people for Newsnight said; but 86 per cent of Conservative voters said they would have done if they had known.

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Dangerous Balls

The Spectator on the threat Ed Balls poses to the government For Conservatives, a leadership fight is a blood sport: a feast of passion, revenge and political violence. Labour’s current contest has thus far been the precise opposite: an excruciatingly dull five-way verbal joust between candidates who have nothing new or original to say. Two of the candidates regularly express their fraternal love for one another. Still, however tedious, the contest remains one of historic importance because the winner may well be the next Prime Minister. After all, it would be a surprise if the leader of an opposition party with 256 seats — enough to force the Tories into coalition — did not win the next election.

The Spectator

University challenge

A small revolution in higher education took place this week when David Willetts, the universities minister, permitted BPP, a business and law college based in Shepherd’s Bush, to use the title ‘university college’. By doing so he created the first private university since Buckingham University opened its doors in 1976. The move was not to everyone’s taste: the University and College Union (UCU) claimed that the new institution represented a ‘huge threat to academic freedom and standards’, adding that in a survey of 504 professors, 96 per cent apparently endorse this view.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 30 July 2010

...here's a selection of posts made on Spectator.co.uk this week: Fraser Nelson outlines Pakistan's double game in Afghanistan, and fears another EU power grab. Peter Hoskin watches Nick Clegg confirm his fiscal hawkishness, and argues that David Cameron's provocative language over Gaza only obscures the issue. David Blackburn argues that there are few smoking guns in the WikiLeaks releases, and notices that David Cameron is not cutting it with India's media. Rod Liddle wonders whether the Prime Minister understands the 'Real Islam'. Melanie Phillips gives her take on David Cameron's speech in Turkey. And the Spectator Arts Blog debates the death of the UK Film council.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 26 July – 1 August

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… | 26 July 2010

...here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. James Forsyth reports on how the coalition plans to insulate its vulnerable Lib Dem component, and presents two Conservative approaches to electoral reform. David Blackburn thinks that Nick Clegg was wrong to defend his personal comments on the illegality of the Iraq war, notes that it's the end of the line for Balls, and believes Alistair Darling's withdrawal from frontline politics is a blow for Labour. And Rod Liddle considers stereotyping.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 24 July 2010

Carrying the fight Sir: Your leading article (Military matters, 17 July) suggests that aircraft carriers are vulnerable to missile and suicide attack. I am not sure where you have sought your military advice, but those who think along these lines usually know very little about carriers. We should reflect on carriers’ invulnerability, not their vulnerability. The last time that a British serviceman was killed as a result of enemy action in an RN aircraft carrier was in 1945. The contrast with our deployed operating bases in Afghanistan and Iraq could not be more stark. Recently, an RAF Regiment Officer told me of an occasion in 2008 where the British base at Basra was mortared over 60 times in one hour; this was not an isolated event.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 24 July 2010

In a speech in Liverpool intended to relaunch his theme of the Big Society, as a ‘big advance for people power’, Mr David Cameron, the Prime Minister, said that, as part of a scheme to ‘turn government completely on its head’, four community schemes were being set up in Liverpool (a museum project); the Eden Valley, Westmorland (a pub); Windsor (parks); and the London borough of Sutton (youth and green projects).