The Spectator

Saturday

The Spectator

EU power grab

No Prime Minister wants to do battle with the European Union, which is why it has accrued so much power in such a short space of time. When preparing for government, David Cameron was warned by the Civil Service that if he wanted to wrestle powers back from Brussels — as he has promised to do in party conference speeches — then it would absorb at least a year of his time in Downing Street. Since then, his approach has been to spend as little time as he can on the subject, hoping it will not appear on his political radar. While he may well have no interest in Brussels, but Brussels has all too much interest in Britain.

The Spectator

Shock tactics | 24 July 2010

Peter Cox was on his way to carry out some landscaping work at a friend’s house in Bridgwater in Somerset when he was pulled over by police on (false) suspicion of driving his BMW without insurance. The officer in question decided that Mr Cox was acting aggressively, and pulled out his Taser gun. Seconds later, Mr Cox had 50,000 volts delivered to his groin. It is a chilling sign of how the British police have changed. The officer discharged his weapon by accident. But at what point did England license police to draw guns on motorists suspected of traffic offences? For generations, unarmed British police have found various ways of dealing with people whom they regard as aggressive. It is doubtless far easier to point a gun at people, and requires far less training.

Friday

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The week that was | 23 July 2010

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk this week. Fraser Nelson comments on the odious spectacle of Nick Griffin posing as a martyr. James Forsyth wonders if the government believes the Iraq war was illegal, and reports on very encouraging poll for the Tories. David Blackburn gets to grips with the Big Society, and listens to Michael Gove take control of a tricky interview. Susan Hill attacks whingeing women. Rod Liddle describes the investigation into the leaked UEA’s emails as almost a whitewash. Alex Massie silences the doubters. And Melanie Phillips condemns David Cameron’s Big Society as a soundbite.

Monday

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CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 19 July – 26 July

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… | 19 July 2010

...here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson critiques Chuka Umanna’s comedy economics, and explores the statist underpinnings of DfID. James Forsyth analyses Mandelson’s miscalculation and says that the Tories are right to push through education reform. David Blackburn notes that the Afghan war is now subject to 2 withdrawal deadlines, and thinks that a ban on the burka in Britain is unworkable. And Rod Liddle is appalled that the good folk of Rochdale will have to squat.

Saturday

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Letters | 17 July 2010

The mills of God Sir: Theo Hobson’s concern at the emergence of Grindr (‘Gay sex by sat-nav’, 10 July) is understandable but he goes too far in describing the phenomenon as typical of male homosexual culture. Hedonism there certainly is, but that is not an exclusively gay characteristic, nor is it the case that male gay culture is the vector by which heterosexual culture becomes hedonistic. There are other trends within gay culture that emphasise the significance of constancy and commitment. The Revd Dr Jeffrey John’s Permanent, Faithful, Stable is a particularly significant example. It applies to gay relationships the wisdom of centuries of Christian experience.

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Portrait of the week | 17 July 2010

General practitioners, operating in consortia under an independent commissioning board, are to take charge of 70 per cent of the National Health Service budget by 2013, with the abolition of all England’s ten strategic health authorities and the 152 primary care trusts, according to a White Paper. General practitioners, operating in consortia under an independent commissioning board, are to take charge of 70 per cent of the National Health Service budget by 2013, with the abolition of all England’s ten strategic health authorities and the 152 primary care trusts, according to a White Paper. The annual rate of inflation measured by the Consumer Prices Index fell to 3.2 per cent for June, from 3.

The Spectator

Military matters

David Cameron is not as keen on fighting wars as Tony Blair. His hesitancy is born out of respect for the military. The last decade saw the British government fight five wars on a peacetime budget, thereby stretching the military to (and often beyond) breaking point. The cost of this was avoidable deaths and inevitable defeats. A few hundred troops on patrol in Basra were never going to pacify a city of three million. Without a surge in Sangin, the troops were left to be picked off. The defence review, due in October, comes at a crucial juncture for Britain as we decide our place in the world. Around that time, Sir David Richards is expected to take up his post as chief of the defence staff, succeeding the inadequate Jock Stirrup. It would be, for Mr Cameron, a brave appointment.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 16 July 2010

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson castigates Vince Cable’s graduate tax, and welcomes Andrew Lansley’s health reforms. James Forsyth explains how Ed Miliband would retake middle England, and considers the Balls deterrent. Peter Hoskin watches Michael Gove open an offensive, and argues that the OBR’s growth forecasts are not overly optimistic. David Blackburn witnesses the government struggle before the Treasury select committee, and says the government could learn from John Bird. Susan Hill asks where the hell does the emergency aid money go. Rod Liddle is in a dilemma. Who is more stupid: the ‘Moaty’ fan club, or Zenna Atkins?

The Spectator

In praise of Aunty

This Thursday evening, Australians will be able to turn on their televisions and enjoy a new source of news: ABC News 24, Aunty’s effort to launch a 24-hour news station. This Thursday evening, Australians will be able to turn on their televisions and enjoy a new source of news: ABC News 24, Aunty’s effort to launch a 24-hour news station. And while this magazine was critical of the way the broadcaster handled the very sudden toppling of Kevin Rudd a few weeks ago, and there are concerns about a government entity going head-to-head with a private operation such as Sky News, ultimately we can only welcome another voice, and another source, on the media scene.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 12 July – 18 July

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… | 12 July 2010

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson praises Cameron’s refreshing honesty on schools. Peter Hoskin wonders if Labour will ever love-bomb the Lib Dems, and watches Miliband and Mandelson declare war on Brown. David Blackburn notes that David Miliband’s attack on Brown confirms his own weakness, and says that the Gove fight-back begins. Rod Liddle doubts that Blackpool is on a par with the Great Wall of China. Alex Massie notes that the government will not be banning…cheese sandwiches. And Melanie Phillips asks who has put Michael Gove on the rack.

Saturday

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Letters | 10 July 2010

How to save the seas Sir: We can predict, sadly, that the so-called management of the ocean mining described in Charles Clover’s article (‘The scramble for the seas’, 3 July), will be as poor as the current management of the oceans’ fish stocks. To save the world’s oceans, we need much better policy, coupled with credible enforcement wherever exploitation is permitted, and the establishment of large protected marine reserves where fish and ocean beds are completely protected. Large marine reserves are vital guarantors that will allow ocean resources to survive if the fishing and mineral extraction which are permitted elsewhere fail to be sustainable.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 10 July 2010

The coalition government contemplated legislation to reduce Civil Service lay-off payments in prospect of large redundancies. The Public and Commercial Services Union predicted strikes. Mr George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was accused by the opposition of scare tactics after asking ministerial colleagues to prepare plans for departmental cuts of 40 per cent. Mr Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, said that 715 school reconstruction schemes under Labour’s programme called Building Schools for the Future would not go ahead. Mr Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, encouraged ‘better off’ people with free bus passes to pay their fares. The BBC is to close its Asian Network radio channel but reprieve 6 Music.

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God bless the Queen

The Queen’s speech to the United Nations this week was a masterpiece. A forum which hears so much from politicians with, at best, a passing grasp of world affairs was treated to the views of a head of state with half a century of experience and wisdom. As she so rightly observed, the most ‘sweeping advances’ she has seen came not at the behest of governments but because ‘millions of people wanted them’. Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the UN, perfectly captured the characteristics of her triumphant reign: ‘grace, constancy and dignity’. ‘In a changing and churning world,’ he told the monarch, ‘you are an anchor for our age.

The Spectator

Union rules

If David Cameron is looking for potential enemies, he need not worry about the Labour party. Mired in a five-way leadership race without any decent candidates or agendas, they are a danger only to themselves. Nor should he worry about rogue Liberal Democrats resigning to destabilise the coalition. His generous offer to hold a referendum on voting reform during next year’s May elections will keep them loyal until that date. The people with the energy and dedication to inflict damage on the government can be found in the teachers’ unions. It is hard to overstate the power of teachers’ unions in Britain. For decades they have worked with local authorities to assert complete bureaucratic control over the schools system.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 9 July 2010

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson praises Michael Gove for putting democracy ahead of bureaucracy. James Forsyth holds his breath of Mandelson’s memoir, and asks who will follow Cameron. Peter Hoskin ponders the malleability of ringfences, and says that the coalition’s spending cuts are forcing Labour into a corner. David Blackburn argues that Jeremy Hunt must do the BBC’s cutting for them, and asks if efficiency is a luxury. Susan Hill remembers Beryl Bainbridge. Rod Liddle defines his politics. Alex Massie celebrates the BBC and other anachronisms. And Melanie Phillips considers the coalition’s frivolous atrocity.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 5 July – 11 July

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… | 5 July 2010

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson ponders David Cameron re-alignment of our party politics. James Forsyth on the Tories’ move to campaign against AV, and reports on the growing rift between Cameron and Lord Ashcroft. Peter Hoskin says that the Treasury is playing a very smart game, and outlines the coalition’s choice on Incapacity Benefit. And Alex Massie welcomes two converts Liberal Unionism.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 3 July 2010

No Alternative Sir: James Forsyth’s article on George Osborne’s machinations for a Conservative majority (‘Osborne is becoming the true Tory leader’, 26 June) at the next election failed to mention the most crucial matter — the Alternative Vote. We can assume there will definitely be a referendum on AV; so the only question is what the country’s decision will be. A casual perusal of the election result by constituency leads any reasonable person to see that, if Lib supporters put Lab second and vice versa, then the Conservative party can never again have a majority. And for those who say some socialist party supporters may put Tory second — no chance. They did not witness the class-hatred campaigns in the West country.