The Spectator

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 9 January 2010

Freedom fights fanaticism Sir: John Deverell (Letters, 19 December) is right to draw attention to the precarious position of Christians in the Middle East: though the implication seems to be that if we keep quiet about the Islamification of Europe, the Islamists penetrate further into Europe; while if we speak out, the Islamists tighten their grip on the Middle East. The deeper issue is the lack of religious freedom in the Muslim world. Christians, Zoroastrians, animists and Hindus are forced either to emigrate or to endure humiliating persecution. The apostasy law imprisons Muslims in Islam as surely as any Berlin Wall; while the laws against the defamation of Islam prevent Muslims from hearing any rational criticism of their religion.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 9 January 2010

Mr Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, called a meeting in London on Yemen at the end of the month after al-Qa’eda claimed that it was responsible for the attempted destruction of an airliner approaching Detroit on Christmas Day. Mr Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, called a meeting in London on Yemen at the end of the month after al-Qa’eda claimed that it was responsible for the attempted destruction of an airliner approaching Detroit on Christmas Day. Charges were brought against Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian who had taken his degree at University College London and later spent a few months in Yemen allegedly learning how to set off a bomb hidden in his underpants.

The Spectator

Leave Brown to the voters

One must almost admire the optimism of Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt. Their call to arms — asking Labour members to rise up and topple their leader — is entirely logical. Gordon Brown is easily the Tories’ biggest asset: without saying ‘no more Brown’, their message on the doorsteps would lose much of its impact. A party determined to preserve itself would, indeed, find someone — anyone — else. But if Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt are so concerned about their party, why did they not speak out last June? Why did they not back Mr Purnell, who sacrificed his political future? The answer is that they were both hoping Mr Brown would send them to Brussels to be EU High Representative: a job which eventually went to the hapless Baroness Ashton.

The Spectator

A golden age for fascism

The re-emergence of fascism in Britain is highly inconvenient for our political parties, it is a distraction from the election campaigns they are all so overly keen to begin. They deal with the BNP by ignoring it, by banning MEPs from parliament to make sure no one has to pass Nick Griffin in a corridor. They pretend the BNP is a strange anomaly, too small to be dangerous with ‘only’ a million voters, and they claim to be baffled as to how such support could emerge. The events of this week left two large clues. The first is the fascist march being called in Wiltshire. No one describes Islam4UK’s proposed anti-war protest in Wootton Bassett as a fascist march — but as Melanie Phillips argued here recently, it is. It’s the reverse side of the fascist coin.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 8 January 2010

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson watches the Labour party lose the plot, and thinks that David Cameron is cowering in the face of Labour attacks. James Forsyth reveals what we have learnt from the failed H&H coup, and argues that any action that wounds Brown without killing him is nectar to the Tories. Peter Hoskin wonders whether he’s found Labour’s election slogan, and wonders why H&H stuck their heads above the parapet. David Blackburn predicts a post-election bloodbath for Labour, and is concerned that the Civil Service’s impartiality is being compromised. Lloyd Evans witnesses an intriguing exchange at PMQs be overshadowed by events. Susan Hill urges writers to write as they please.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall January 4th – January 10th 

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…<br />

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the New Year period. Fraser Nelson asks David Cameron not to take voters for fools, and wishes everyone a boozy New Year. James Forsyth reflects on the Detroit bomber’s radicalisation, and debates the tensions in the Cameron circle. Peter Hoskin says that the Tories are struggling to find a line on tax, and believes that it’s not just bankers who will be hanged. David Blackburn argues that Labour has made a terrible mistake in marginalising Mandy, and thinks that ministers should always be ultimately accountable. Daniel Korski makes his predictions for 2010. Susan Hill takes the attack to Harriet Harman. Alex Massie busts the myth of Brown the battler.

Saturday

The Spectator

Jet-set jihadi

A Nigerian Islamic fanatic flies to the Netherlands and tries to blow up a plane bound for Detroit in Michigan — and yet there was something grimly inevitable about the fact that it was Britain where police were scrambled and London where the fanatic’s accommodation was searched. A Nigerian Islamic fanatic flies to the Netherlands and tries to blow up a plane bound for Detroit in Michigan — and yet there was something grimly inevitable about the fact that it was Britain where police were scrambled and London where the fanatic’s accommodation was searched. As Gordon Brown’s Cabinet plodded into the underground bunker after being summoned for an emergency meeting on Boxing Day, they might well have asked: why is it always us?

The Spectator

Letters | 2 January 2010

In the wrong hands Sir: It simply will not do for Ed Balls to dismiss the loathsome pamphlet written by Farah Ahmed, head teacher of the Hizb ut Tahrir-linked school he supports and funds, on the grounds that it is ‘not evidence of extremist views actually being taught in the classroom’ (Letters, 12 December). In fact, what should ‘actually be taught in the classroom’ was precisely the subject Mrs Ahmed was writing about. And the school’s curriculum, which I also mentioned in my article, displays striking parallels between what Hizb teaches its recruits and Mrs Ahmed teaches her pupils.

Tuesday

The Spectator

Apologies | 29 December 2009

We have been experiencing techinical problems at Spectator.co.uk today and some readers may have been unable to access the site. We hope that the situation will be fully resolved shortly.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 28 December – 3 January

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.

Wednesday

The Spectator

Happy Christmas | 23 December 2009

Barring major political catastrophe, Coffee House will be falling silent over the next few days as we all celebrate Christmas.  Many thanks to CoffeeHousers for your contributions over the past year.  We hope you enjoy a happy holiday. If you're looking to fill your time, then Paul Johnson's and Lloyd Evans' pieces from the Christmas issue of the magazine are well worth a read.  We'll be uploading more magazine content over the next week.

Tuesday

The Spectator

Apologies | 22 December 2009

We've been experiencing a few technical difficulties on Spectator.co.uk today, which means some of you may not have been able to access the site. We hope that things will be fully fixed shortly.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall 21 December – 27 December

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… | 21 December 2009

...here are some posts made over the weekend on Spectator.co.uk: Fraser Nelson wonders whether Peter Mandelson is planning to run as Mayor of London, and laments the pessimism of the left. James Forsyth says that David Cameron plans to lighten up, and outlines Gordon Brown's PR dilemma. Peter Hoskin sets out the dangers with a Tory policy blitz, and reports on a slightly surprising stat. David Blackburn reports on the latest opinion poll, and discusses the relevance of politics. Daniel Korski blames Bono for the Copenhagen failure. Rod Liddle attacks the hypocrisy of commentators on the Munir Hussain case. Alex Massie gives us some Sunday Afternoon Country. And Cappuccino Culture welcomes the extension of the British Museum.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 19 December 2009

Selective quoting Sir: In her diary (5 December) Melanie Phillips accused me of bigotry, quoting from a newspaper article about the Iraq inquiry in which I had pointed out that two of the five members of the panel, Sir Martin Gilbert and Sir Lawrence Freedman, are Jewish and that Gilbert at least has a record of active support for Zionism. She did not mention that I went on to comment that these two men had outstanding reputations and records, but it was a pity that, if and when the inquiry was accused of a whitewash (and indeed it already has been) such handy ammunition would be available. Membership, I wrote, should not only be balanced; it should be seen to be balanced.

The Spectator

A simple solution

There is something deeply unfashionable about British poverty. We worry endlessly about melting glaciers, and wear wristbands to demand an end to hardship in faraway lands. Christmas cards are sold in aid of dogs, birds and children in other countries. But we prefer to avert our eyes from the British poor. They’re looked after by the welfare state, aren’t they? Problem solved, now let’s get on with enjoying Christmas. It might be easier to ignore problems at home, but that won’t make them disappear. This Christmas one in six British people will be jobless — and even this horrific figure masks a far worse picture regionally. A quarter of Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow and Middlesbrough are now living on benefits.

The Spectator

What would you take to Bethlehem?

The Wise Men offered gold, frankincense and myrrh — but where can you get hold of myrrh these days? The Spectator asked Britain’s great and good what they would give Jesus if He were born today The Wise Men offered gold, frankincense and myrrh — but where can you get hold of myrrh these days? The Spectator asked Britain’s great and good what they would give Jesus if He were born today The Most Reverend Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York Firstly I would give Him myself. My life is the only valuable possession that I could give Him. We are all made in God’s image and likeness. Only a god-like gift is worthy of God. The offering of my total self forms part of my worship. The second gift I would offer Him is my lips, acknowledging Him as Lord of everything.

The Spectator

But if you’re still feeling philanthropic…

If you’re disheartened by the politicisation of big charities, here’s a selection of smaller charities recommended by Spectator staff. If you’re disheartened by the politicisation of big charities, here’s a selection of smaller charities recommended by Spectator staff. For Dementia Living with someone who has dementia is very hard. The person you knew slowly disappears and you are left with a stranger who has changed almost beyond recognition. A sense of isolation descends, along with the feeling that no one quite understands what you — the carer — are going through. Which is where the charity For Dementia comes in.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 18 December 2009

Here are some of the posts made over the past week on Spectator.co.uk: Fraser Nelson has a new addition to his family, and invites you to meet Farmer Mandelson. James Forsyth says that the Tories need an attack dog, and questions whether Prince Charles should be getting involved in the Copenhagen debate. Peter Hoskin stresses that the Tories should resist any temptation to go soft on debt, and observes Ed Balls beating the drum for investment. David Blackburn gives his take on the unrest at British Airways, and says that the Labour leadership question hasn't been answered. Daniel Korski reveals a new survey in Muslim attitudes. Mark Bathgate looks into what might happen when the quantitative easing stops.