The Spectator

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 22 March – 28 March

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… | 22 March 2010

From our UK edition

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson introduces a new tax, and says that the internet has made deception transparent. James Forsyth believes Obama's healthcare bill comes at a cost, and welcomes Cameron’s theory of change. Peter Hoskin laments yet another dirty politics story, and evaluates the new cuts versus investment dividing line. David Blackburn says voters deserve better, and warns the Tories against pushing an alternative to Ashcroft. Martin Bright reviews Tony Judt’s manifesto for the left. Alex Massie finds an eye-raising passage in the Pope’s letter to the Irish church. And Melanie Phillips notes the emasculation of America.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 20 March 2010

From our UK edition

The cunning Mandelbrown Sir: David Cameron and his gallant band do not seem to realise that they no longer face the clumsy and clunky Gordon Brown, but a new political hybrid — Peter Mandelbrown. The outward form may still be as lumpy and leaden as ever, but that merely serves as concealment for the hybrid’s cunning in thought and speech, its nimbleness in deceptive manoeuvre, and the lethally poisonous fangs, which it sinks into its victims’ reputations. Unless David Cameron now hunts down Mandelbrown without mercy, then the monster will surely get him — and the rest of us thereafter. Correlli Barnett CBE Norwich Commonsense solutions Sir: The Spectator Manifesto is a welcome blast of concentrated common sense.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 20 March 2010

From our UK edition

A European Commission report warned that Britain would not meet the 2014-2015 deadline for reducing the budget deficit to below 3 per cent of domestic output. Mr Liam Byrne, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: ‘We think the EU has got the judgment wrong.’ British Airways cabin crew belonging to the union Unite announced strikes for three days from 20 March and four days from 27 March. Lord Adonis, the Transport Secretary, called the strike ‘totally unjustifiable’. Mr Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, then spoke out against it on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour: ‘It is the wrong time, it is unjustified, it is deplorable, we shouldn’t have a strike.

The Spectator

Bad habits

From our UK edition

The brutal assassination of the US government workers Lesley Enriquez and Arthur Redelfs, carried out by gangsters linked to the Juarez drugs cartel last week, is reported to have been a retaliatory exercise following the recent extradition of several Mexican drugs lords to the States. It was another reminder that the US-led ‘war on drugs’ is lost. It is unwinnable, and merely serves to illustrate the folly of pursuing agendas for the sake of soundbites. Both America and Britain must accept that the international narcotics supply chain cannot be broken. Governments may not like it, but they must instead look to the users on their own streets. Wherever there is hopelessness, unemployment and poverty, demand will be highest.

The Spectator

A propaganda war

From our UK edition

If you want to know about Labour’s election campaign, simply turn on a commercial radio station. If you want to know about Labour’s election campaign, simply turn on a commercial radio station. Soon enough, you will hear an advertisement offering to help you lose weight, buy a car, claim more benefits, deal with door-to-door salesmen or stop smoking. Who provides all these services? The government, of course. The covert message is that Gordon Brown cares and Labour, if re-elected, will look after you. The cap on election spending in Britain is £19 million, a sum that the Labour party cannot hope to raise. So instead, the Prime Minister is doing what he does best: helping himself to taxpayers’ money, in this case to advertise the virtues of his big government.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 19 March 2010

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson says that age is no impediment to wit and intelligence, and argues that Cameron has to win outright. James Forsyth watches Cameron kick-off his campaign, and says there is growing confidence among Tory ranks. Peter Hoskin asks if the Tories have been fools or knaves over Ashcroft, and welcomes the start of mature economic debate. David Blackburn believes that the Tories’ Unite strategy is paying unimagined dividends, and watches Brown dither over BA. Daniel Korksi evaluates the ECR. Martin Bright finds Ashcroft and Whelan equally repellent. Susan Hill has had more than a day at the races. Rod Liddle is surprised that young black men are ‘over-feminized’.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 15 March – 21 March

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… | 15 March 2010

From our UK edition

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson uncovers Brown’s latest confidence trick. James Forsyth argues that the LibDems should receive more scrutiny, and spies electoral politicking amid Labour’s Lords reforms. David Blackburn thinks that David Cameron’s interview with Sir Trevor McDonald was a success, and reckons that Edward McMillan-Scott will make no impression. Daniel Korski welcomes Liam Fox’s approach to diplomacy. And Rod Liddle opposes Manichean approaches to Islamism.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 13 March 2010

From our UK edition

Not cricket Sir: Many a cricket follower (‘Cricket’s foreign legion’, 6 March) would join Peter Oborne in denouncing the growth of South African mercenaries entering our domestic game. As a county cricket spectator, I have always enjoyed scouting for new talent for our national team. It gave me great pleasure to watch an emerging Michael Vaughan score a double century at Scarborough in the early days of his career, and see Graeme Swann spin-bowling for Northamptonshire: both of them with obvious England potential. Somehow it is not quite the same these days, as we survey the array of journeyman players.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 13 March 2010

From our UK edition

Mr Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, appeared before the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war and denied that as Chancellor of the Exchequer he had harmfully squeezed defence budgets. ‘At any point, commanders were able to ask for equipment that they needed and I know of no occasion when they were turned down,’ he said. ‘That is simply disingenuous,’ said Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, Chief of the Defence Staff from 1997 to 2001. ‘He’s being disingenuous,’ said Lord Boyce, the Chief of the Defence Staff from 2001 to 2003. Mr Brown then flew off to see British troops in Afghanistan. The death of a British soldier in Helmand brought the number killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 272.

The Spectator

C’est fini

From our UK edition

The most distressing news of the week may be the suggestion that the world’s most entertaining love affair — between Nicolas Sarkozy and his First Lady, Carla Bruni — is drawing to a close. The most distressing news of the week may be the suggestion that the world’s most entertaining love affair — between Nicolas Sarkozy and his First Lady, Carla Bruni — is drawing to a close. The rumours began on Twitter, where they could be easily ignored, but now Le Journal du Dimanche has confirmed what it calls the story of the year. The presidential marriage is ‘breathing its last breaths’, it says. Perhaps it was optimistic to hope that such a gripping union could last.

The Spectator

The scandal of Scotland

From our UK edition

A politician, a cocaine dealer, blackmail, links to organised crime and the mysterious death of a teenage boy: it is hard to think of more potent ingredients for a political scandal. Had it happened in Paris, the story would be all over the English press. But this scandal took place in Glasgow — so the London papers are not interested. After devolution, Scotland is fast becoming a foreign land about which the English know little and care less. The downfall of Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, is not just a tale of one man’s collapse, but a grim allegory for the tragedy of devolution. Purcell was, until last week, the man to watch in Scottish politics. Many regarded him as the politician who could win back the Scottish parliament for Labour.

The Spectator

The Spectator Manifesto

From our UK edition

David Cameron, should he become Prime Minister, has an urgent and momentous task – to transform Britain from top to toe. The Spectator gives him some pointers The key to great success is to follow great failure. David Cameron has this if little else in his favour if, as expected, he is Prime Minister in two months’ time. He may not have the majority he hoped for, but he will be able to command the government machine. Civil servants, for all their love of procrastination, will follow direct instructions. A Tory government can deliver them on the first day. This guide explains how, precisely, Britain can be transformed. The key is to demand, and expect, change at an urgent pace.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 12 March 2010

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson argues that the government is tough on dangerous dogs but blind to their causes. James Forsyth is clear that the Tories will have a lot of mud thrown at them, and worries that London is becoming anti-competitive. Peter Hoskin examines Charlie Whelan’s role in Labour’s election campaign, and finds Ed Vaizey dropping Cameron in the soup (again). David Blackburn believes the Tories’ decision to leave the EPP is vindicated, and sees the government throw yet more good money after bad. Daniel Korski asks if the West will lose Turkey. Susan Hill urges everyone to steer clear of joining the book trade. Rod Liddle laments the slow creep of suburbia.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 8 March – 14 March

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… | 8 March 2010

From our UK edition

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson asks what it does it matter if Samantha Cameron voted Labour once. James Forsyth notes that Sir John Major accuses Brown of conduct profoundly unbecoming a Prime Minister, and argues that the Lib Dems' electoral rhetoric will make it much harder for them to make a deal in the event of a hung parliament. Peter Hoskin watches Cameron deliver a spot-on speech, and wonders if Nick Clegg’s latest intervention will save Labour a post-election Brown leadership. Mark Bathgate wants a serious economic debate. Martin Bright believes that Cameron must show a ruthless streak. And Alex Massie analyses Red-Meat Toryism.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 6 March 2010

From our UK edition

The story behind Kidnapped Sir: Not withstanding my gratitude for Andro Linklater’s kind words in his recent review of my book Birthright: The True Story That Inspired ‘Kidnapped’ (Books, 27 February), I must correct his description of the subtitle as ‘simply wrong’. It is inconceivable that Stevenson, a voracious reader of legal history, was unfamiliar with the saga of James Annesley, which by the time of Kidnapped’s publication in 1886 had already influenced four other 19th-century novels, most famously Sir Walter Scott’s Guy Mannering (1815) and Charles Reade’s The Wandering Heir (1873).

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 6 March 2010

From our UK edition

The Conservatives made their election slogan ‘Vote for change’, and Mr David Cameron made their flesh creep in a speech at a conference at Brighton concluding: ‘I want you to think of the incredible dark depression of another five years of Gordon Brown.’ The Conservatives made their election slogan ‘Vote for change’, and Mr David Cameron made their flesh creep in a speech at a conference at Brighton concluding: ‘I want you to think of the incredible dark depression of another five years of Gordon Brown.

The Spectator

Michael Foot, R.I.P.

From our UK edition

Michael Foot, who died on Wednesday, aged 96, was a wonderful man. A major politician and an accomplished writer, he stood firmly in the great British tradition of literary radicals. There was something defiantly unmodern and unspun about him, but this was the point of Mr Foot: he was a leader who saw politics as a battle of ideas. The idea of spin was utterly alien to him. From his early days in journalism and the New Statesman, to Tribune magazine, which he edited after the war, to his last days, he maintained his intellectual integrity. This was what guided the radical Labour manifesto of 1983. It was, electorally, spectacularly unsuccessful. But it was, nonetheless, a work of immense honesty.