The Spectator guide to independent schools 2009 Your guide to using the tables An independent education can, and often does, lead to a head start in life for those fortunate enough to experience it. For parents, grandparents and others involved, it is a big decision. From prep to sixth form, an independent school education for
‘In 1918, half a million Americans died. The projections are that this time, the virus will kill one million Americans.’ These were the words of the President’s chief health adviser, as he warned about the dangers of swine flu. But he wasn’t speaking this week. The year was 1976, the President was Ford, and the
Thirty years ago this Sunday, Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister with a Commons majority of 43. In the 11 years that followed, she took an economic basket case, the sick man of Europe, an offshore banana republic, and transformed it: inflation was curbed, penal tax ended, the unions tamed, and Britain’s confidence on the
Here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the past week: Fraser Nelson watches Gordon Brown play politics over troop numbers, and sets out why we need a proper debate on 50p tax. James Forsyth says that the Gurkha victory is a victory for the House, and wonders what the Tories’ policy on
The Oxford Despoiler, by Gary Dexter Twisted Wing, by Ruth Newman Windows on the Moon, by Alan Brownjohn The Oxford Despoiler is a collection of eight stories introducing Henry St Liver, a Victorian detective, and his biographer and assistant, Olive Salter. Henry is tall and lean, with a lofty bearing but the habits of the
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 – provided 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
…here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the weekend: Fraser Nelson warns that David Cameron needs to up his game. James Forsyth reports on Cameron’s warnings of tax rises from the Tories’ spring conference, and questions their unwillingness to support the creation of a bad bank. Peter Hoskin introduces Coffee House’s national debt counter, and says that any chance Brown had
The beat goes on Sir: I read with growing rage James Delingpole’s column (You know it makes sense, 18 April). After castigating the policing of the G20 demonstrations, he takes the opportunity to list a number of actions the police have taken in recent times that he objects to. But some context is required. I
We asked a distinguished panel to assess the Mayor’s progress — and what he should do next David Cameron Boris and his team have done a brilliant job in the last year. Under his leadership City Hall has become less extravagant, and more focused on the right priorities: making London a safer, greener and more
On Budget Day, Alistair Darling achieved something rare among chancellors of the exchequer and unique among members of this Labour government. He actually made us feel sorry for him. By common consensus, he faced — with a stoical calm that has come to be admired even by his opponents — an almost impossible job. Markets
Here’s a selection of the Budget-related posts that have been made on Coffee House today: Coffee House live blogged Alistair Darling’s Budget statement here. Matthew d’Ancona sets out the politics of the 50p tax rate, and wonders whether any politicians will stand up for aspiration. Fraser Nelson reveals what the Treasury told lobby journalists, and
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 – provided 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
…here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the weekend: Fraser Nelson watches Ed Balls struggle against the truth, and reports on Liam Byrne giving his support to Balls. James Forsyth reveals what a broken ballot box tells us about the future of the Labour Party, and wonders whether Labour will greenwash the
Liddle’s Lent Sir: As someone who is employed by and works within the Church of England I have been waiting 20 years to see an article like Rod Liddle’s (‘The C of E has forgotten its purpose’, 11 April) appearing in a major British publication. He is accurate in nearly everything he says. The current
In his long preparations for next Wednesday’s Budget, Alistair Darling must have constantly asked himself: could the challenge possibly be more gruelling? The task facing the Chancellor was always going to be formidable: he cannot go on borrowing without limit, amassing undreamed-of fiscal deficits in order to maintain inflated levels of public spending. Indeed, the
There’s a special pullout in this week’s issue of the magazine, analysing Obama’s first 100 days in power. All the article from it are available online, and you can access them via these links: Reihan Salam, the leading young conservative intellectual, argues that although Obama isn’t doing badly, the sheen has already come off his
Just to remind CoffeeHousers that we’re running a Q&A with Eric Pickles. We’ll be taking your questions until 10pm this evening, before putting the best to the Tory chairman. To submit a question click here.
Here are some of the posts about the Damian McBride scandal on Spectator.co.uk: Matthew d’Ancona says that the McPoison remains, ands casts his eye over the usual suspects. Andrew Neil stresses that Gordon Brown let the dogs out. Fraser Nelson analyses what McBride tells us about Brown, and reveals the smears that backfired. James Forsyth
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 – provided 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
Listen and learn Sir: We’re going to have to get used to cuts, says Kate Chisholm (Arts, 28 March), while criticising the axing of the last children’s programme on the BBC’s mainstream networks as a cut too far. Last year a meagre £1.6 million of the £460 million the BBC spent on its radio services