The Spectator

Hidden behind Smith Sir: Matthew Parris (Another Voice, 14 February) correctly emphasised the cyclical pattern of economic markets in an optimistic tone that heralded a future recovery. As is almost always the case, writers from Adam Smith onwards are given the credit for the exposition of market theory. However, it was Josiah Tucker (1713-1799), an Oxford-educated cleric, who first articulated such principles in his A brief essay on the advantages and disadvantages, which respectively attend France and Great Britain, published in 1749. Although Tucker firmly advocated free trade, he recommended prudent intervention by government in terms of legislation designed to ensure effective commerce for the benefit of society. It is known that Adam Smith owned a copy of A Brief Essay.

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 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.

Solidarity with the strikers Sir: As a member of the English working class I write to express my approval of and agreement with Rod Liddle’s article (‘Would the working class vote Labour now?, 7 February). I would compare the action of the strikers with those of the shipyard workers of Gdansk in 1980 whose actions exposed to the world the falseness of the Polish Communist Party’s claim to protect the class it purported to represent. These strikers have shown up New Labour’s pretence that it cares about British workers. Peter Mandelson’s performance was eerily reminiscent of the party hacks who were wheeled out to attack Solidarity.

Fraser Nelson launches the Spectator Inquiry into the causes of the recession, and reveals where British jobs are going. James Forsyth remembers when Cameron faced down Paxman, and thinks the bankers should learn from Profumo. Peter Hoskin gives his take on the Geert Wilders controversy, and reports on white collar jobs for white collar workers. Toby Young reveals the school of his dreams. Susan Hill writes on praying for patients. Daniel Korski asks: who knows what Afghans think? Martin Bright says that Gordon Brown may be preparing to apologise.  Clive Davis watches some car crash television. Alex Massie marks the limits of Presidential power. Melanie Phillips observes Britain capitulate to terror. Faith Based gives its take on Charles Darwin.

We’ve just posted Theo Hobson’s latest on Faith-Based, an explanation of why Theo views the late John Updike as a spiritual failure.

A failure of fairness Sir: Rod Liddle’s defence of the BBC (Liddle Britain, 31 January) does not stack up. Of course people with close connections to Palestinians, those fully aware of their sufferings and traumas, were in the forefront of calling for the BBC to air the charity’s appeal. How could it be otherwise? Yet for good reason, the BBC’s decision united Fleet Street left and right, triggered criticism of the Corporation from Cabinet ministers as well as the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and inspired probably the largest number of MPs in living memory to sign a motion regarding Palestine. This appeal was not about being pro one side or the other.

Fraser Nelson thinks that the Tories' education policy is transformative, and suggests that we shouldn't ignore the poverty in our own country. James Forsyth says that the bad war is coming good and the good war is going bad, and gives his take on the Carol Thatcher controversy. Peter Hoskin wonders whether David Miliband has in lost out in the torture row, and thinks Gordon Brown has set a BJ4BW timebomb for the Tories. Alex Massie says choice matters in education. Melanie Phillips argues that rights and wrongs are out of control. Clive Davis gives his take on the Carol Thatcher controversy Trading Floor looks into setting a timetable for reprivatisation. And Americano watches Obama lose momentum.

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 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.