The Spectator

Saturday

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 5 June 2010

Mr David Laws resigned as Chief Secretary to the Treasury after it was revealed that he had used parliamentary allowances to pay £40,000 rent over five years for a room in the house of a man with whom he had long had a sexual relationship. Mr David Laws resigned as Chief Secretary to the Treasury after it was revealed that he had used parliamentary allowances to pay £40,000 rent over five years for a room in the house of a man with whom he had long had a sexual relationship. ‘My motivation throughout has not been to maximise profit,’ Mr Laws said, ‘but to simply protect our privacy and my wish not to reveal my sexuality.’ Mr Danny Alexander, also a Liberal Democrat, replaced Mr Laws in the Cabinet.

The Spectator

Bad habits | 5 June 2010

The idea that you can jack up prices — by taxation or other means — and thereby shape society seems to mesmerise politicians. So the new estimates by the Department of Heath that a minimum price for alcohol — of 50p per ‘unit’ — would mean precisely 43,800 fewer crimes a year and 296,900 fewer sick days is like a magic wand to be waved at the dispatch box. What officials forget is that people find ways of adapting to and circumventing government rules. Tobacco in Britain is very heavily taxed, purportedly to discourage its use. The Treasury now estimates that one in five cigarettes smoked in Britain has been smuggled in illegally.

The Spectator

Not British

Search any official document published by BP plc, the oil giant now battling not only to cap the Mexican Gulf oil spillage but to save itself from a terminal collapse of investor confidence, and you will not find anywhere the words ‘British Petroleum’. Search any official document published by BP plc, the oil giant now battling not only to cap the Mexican Gulf oil spillage but to save itself from a terminal collapse of investor confidence, and you will not find anywhere the words ‘British Petroleum’. The full version of the company name was dropped more than a decade ago, when the merger with US oil giant Amoco turned it into a transnational conglomerate with the green-tinged but much-mocked slogan ‘Beyond Petroleum’.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 4 June 2010

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson comments on the Commons’ bizarre new chemistry. James Forsyth notes that more than a thousand schools have applied for academy status, and watched David Cameron impress on his first outcome. David Blackburn analyses a PR disaster for Israel, and sees a tacit endorsement of David Miliband from Peter Mandelson. Daniel Korski calls for change at the DfID. Rod Liddle believes that Israel’s standing in the world has been harmed. Alex Massie challenges some received opinions about immigration. Melanie Phillips defends Israel’s actions. And Cappuccino Culture is hearing whispers from Hay.

Tuesday

The Spectator

Just in case you missed them… | 1 June 2010

From our UK edition

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the bank holiday weekend. Fraser Nelson charts the rise and fall of David Laws. James Forsyth laments a disaster for British public life, and ponders the Labour leadership contest. David Blackburn considers the attendant irony in Lord Prescott, and thinks the Telegraph’s latest expenses campaign is misjudged. Daniel Korski offers some names for Downing Street to consider for its defence council. Rod Liddle fought the laws and the laws won. And Melanie Phillips condemns an attempted terrorist outrage.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 31 May – 6 June

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.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 29 May 2010

Press Complaints complains Sir: Reluctant though I am to point out inaccuracies in Rod Liddle’s work, I would like to correct some of his suggestions about the Press Complaints Commission (Liddle Britain, 22 May). Mr Liddle claims that Paul Dacre is ‘Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission’s Editorial Code of Practice’. Incorrect. In common with most self-regulatory systems, the newspaper and magazine industry’s code is written by a committee of industry experts following public consultation. The editors’ code of Practice Committee, of which Paul Dacre is Chairman, is entirely separate from the PCC (which independently enforces the Code). Liddle says that the PCC ‘almost never acts against tabloids’. Untrue.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 29 May 2010

In her 58th speech at the state opening of Parliament, the Queen said: ‘My government’s legislative programme will be based upon the principles of freedom, fairness and responsibility.’ In her 58th speech at the state opening of Parliament, the Queen said: ‘My government’s legislative programme will be based upon the principles of freedom, fairness and responsibility.

The Spectator

The revolution starts now

From our UK edition

Why would a parent want to set up their own school? Aren’t exhausted parents busy enough without doing the job of the state as well? This has become the latest line of attack on the Conservatives’ radical proposals for school reform, launched this week. Why would a parent want to set up their own school? Aren’t exhausted parents busy enough without doing the job of the state as well? This has become the latest line of attack on the Conservatives’ radical proposals for school reform, launched this week. The media seems obsessed with this canard — perhaps after decades of central control, the concept of liberalisation is hard for them to grasp — but communicating it clearly must now become a priority for the government.

The Spectator

Old hat?

From our UK edition

When John F. Kennedy was sworn in as president in 1961, he shocked America by refusing to wear a hat during his inauguration address. His decision seemed to precipitate a sharp decline in the wearing of hats. The state opening of parliament is by no means the British equivalent of an inauguration and Samantha Cameron is no JFK. But her decision to go bareheaded on Tuesday raises an urgent question about the state of the British hat. Mrs Cameron looked delightful in the gallery of the House of Lords, where — technically — she was not required to wear a hat. But the custom of wearing headgear on certain occasions (weddings, Royal Ascot, the Queen’s garden party) ought to be protected.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 28 May 2010

From our UK edition

Here are some posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the past week: Fraser Nelson outlines the death of the male working class, and says that Michael Gove must guard against the vested interests. James Forsyth watches the Tory right reassert itself, and sets out the tactical considerations over the timing of the AV referendum. Peter Hoskin sees the media helping the coalition's fiscal cause, and says the IDS agenda could help to end the benefits trap. David Blackburn argues that Ed Balls's fighting talk is getting him nowhere, and gives his take on David Laws's performance in the Commons. Daniel Korski calls for a new Afghanistan strategy. Martin Bright highlights a devastating attack on Amnesty International.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 24 May – 30 May

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… | 24 May 2010

From our UK edition

...here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the weekend: Fraser Nelson says that David Cameron should seek the common ground. James Forsyth advises Cameron to pay attention to recent friendly warnings, and watches Andy Burnham fail to explain the point of his candidacy. Peter Hoskin sees plenty of encouraging signs from David Laws, and says that the Tories have their eyes on Iran. Charlotte Gore wonders whether the Tories have fallen victim to the Lib Dem Hug of Death. Martin Bright reports on Ken Livingstone stooping to new levels. Alex Massie praises the Third Most Important Man in Britain. And Melanie Phillips comments on what the death of Daniel Pearl means to Obama.

Saturday

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 22 May 2010

From our UK edition

George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said he would hold an emergency Budget on 22 June. He announced the setting up of an Office for Budget Responsibility under Sir Alan Budd, one of the original members of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee in 1997. The office would publish its first economic and fiscal forecasts before the Budget. In the meantime the government looked for £6 billion of savings to make this year. Mr David Cameron, the Prime Minister, sought, as an adviser on poverty, Mr Frank Field, the Labour MP asked in 1997 to ‘think the unthinkable’ about welfare reform and sacked as a minister when he did so. MPs reappointed Mr John Bercow as Speaker.

The Spectator

Germany’s agony

From our UK edition

When George Osborne attended his first meeting of European finance ministers on Tuesday, he may well have felt a pang of pity for his Continental colleagues. True, Britain has the worst deficit and the most rampant inflation in Western Europe. True, Mr Osborne may have been outmanoeuvred over the regulation of hedge funds. But the Chancellor has a trump card: the pound sterling. When it tumbles, we can export our way back to growth. When Greece implodes, we can maintain a studied distance. All things considered, it could be worse. We could be Germany. Germany’s dire situation today offers the most eloquent of all arguments against the concept of a single currency.

The Spectator

The self-preservation society

From our UK edition

How quickly Nick Clegg is adapting to government doublespeak. He hailed a radical constitutional reform programme this week and declared that he is ‘taking away the government’s right to throw out parliament’. The reverse, in fact, is true. The coalition government proposes changing the constitution so it takes 55 per cent of MPs — rather than a straight majority — to force a general election, and all in the name of ‘stability’. This is understandable, but wrong. David Cameron is anxious about being at the mercy of the Lib Dems. They may well switch their allegiance to the Labour party when it suits them to call an election.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 21 May 2010

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the past week: Fraser Nelson interviews Graham Brady, and argues that a Bill of Rights would be useless anyway. James Forsyth says that it's a shame Jon Cruddas isn't running for the Labour leadership, and gives his take on Cameron's reform of the 1922 Committee. Peter Hoskin says the Labour leadership contest is between tribalism and anti-tribalism, and wonders whether scorched earth politics is a thing of the past. Susan Hill thinks the unthinkable. Alex Massie asks: if Ed Miliband is the answer, what is the question? And Melanie Phillips gives her take on the ruling preventing an Al-Qaeda operative from being deported.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 17 May – 23 May

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… | 17 May 2010

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made over the weekend on Spectator.co.uk: Fraser Nelson highlights an important lesson for all new MPs, and outlines why Labour are still within striking distance of government. James Forsyth reviews David Cameron's first TV interview as Prime Minister, and observes the Labour candidates moving towards the Cruddas position on immigration. Peter Hoskin watches Ed Balls following Ed Miliband's lead, and highlight's George Osborne's Big Choice. Daniel Korski suggests how the coalition can build on its good start. Rod Liddle is left bemused by BA's response to the ash cloud. And Alex Massie says that the British people have not been betrayed.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 15 May 2010

From our UK edition

What matters most Sir: In last week’s Spectator there was an interesting section where writers and thinkers were invited to advise the new Prime Minister what his administration should urgently address (‘What the new government must do first’, 8 May). Defence was not included but surely with a war in Afghanistan, an uncertain world and a defence budget under extreme pressure, it should be. A foreign policy-led strategic defence review is the first priority, and a view taken as to what sort of country we want to be. We are clearly not a superpower but we have a seat on the Security Council and are a leading member of Nato and other international organisations and have an important position in Europe. Do we want to be an onlooker like some European countries?