Sensible scares Sir: To be fair to the scaremongers (Another Voice, 19 July), at least some of the scares mentioned by Matthew Parris (al-Qa’eda, HIV) seem less frightening in retrospect not because they were always insubstantial but because the threats were taken seriously and action was taken to counter them. If the fuss over the
The wonder of the National Curriculum Tests marking scandal is that it has taken a decade for the inadequacies of the school exam system to become widely known. As Liz Brocklehurst, a former exam marker, reveals in this issue (see page 21), the exam system has been in crisis since being politicised in David Blunkett’s
Here are some of the posts made this week on Spectator.co.uk: Chris Grayling wants your questions. George Osborne answers your questions. Fraser Nelson reports on the SNP’s stunning victory in the Glasgow East by-election, and claims that the West needs to solve the Pakistan problem. James Forsyth says Ed Balls should take responsibility for the Sat fiasco, and spells out how reform-minded Labour MPs can establish a
Is Darling his own man? Join the debate over at Trading Floor.
…here are some posts made over the weekend on Spectator.co.uk: Matthew d’Ancona claims that the latest Batman film is brilliantly dark. Fraser Nelson presents a guide to Glasgow East, and highlights new statistics which show that four out of every five drug addicts are on welfare. James Forsyth suggests that Brown will take a pounding during the summer
Rod for our backs Sir: Each week, Rod Liddle’s column reminds me of the little girl of whom it was written that she hiked up her skirt to show she wasn’t wearing knickers. In the absence of a parent, or in Mr Liddle’s case an editor, one can only look away in embarrassment. So usually
‘Inflation,’ Ronald Reagan declared, ‘is as violent as a mugger.’ In response, the world pursued zero-tolerance policies for two decades, to the point at which politicians and central bankers began to believe they had actually eradicated the menace. When Gordon Brown used to boast that there would be ‘no more boom and bust’, he was
Fraser Nelson wondered if Labour’s welfare reform proposals would cost it Glasgow East and critiqued the Tory plan to import US-style bankruptcy protections for failing firms. James Forsyth looked at where the SATS scandal will go next and what Brown might offer the Unions for their support. Sarah Standing recommended that we all cheer ourselves
Cameron versus Brown Clegg versus Brown As always thanks to the wonderful Politics Home team.
Clemency Burton-Hill, who will be presenting The Proms on BBC 4 this summer, offers her suggestions for what to do and see on the cultural front this summer here. Well worth a read.
Here are some of the posts made over the weekend: The Russian and Chinese veto of sanctions on Zimbabwe is a result of the UN not being designed to be a moral body, argued James Forsyth. Fraser Nelson explained why he and so many of his friends are marrying foreigners. Americano noted a poll that
Welcome to this week’s Wall, as always this is your space to write and chat about what you want. Do let us know if there are things you would like to see us cover on Coffee House. If you’d like to add photos or videos to the Wall, email phoskin @ spectator.co.uk
A pariah writes Sir: I dealt for 30 years with hundreds of Muslims, at first in Mr Doyle’s organisation, so I am not ‘ignorant’ of Islam (as he claims, Letters, 5 July), which seeks to conquer this world, not the next, politically. If he disagrees, he should consult Islam’s most ‘moderate’ authorities like Yusuf Qaradawi,
In an unexpected plot twist, David Cameron and Gordon Brown are fighting over a woman: not, we hasten to add, as suitors, but as public moralists. The Prime Minister has long been a fan of Gertrude Himmelfarb, the American intellectual best known for her studies of the Victorian era. Now, Mr Cameron has paid homage
Here are a selection of the Coffee House posts made this week: Fraser Nelson explains what is really going on in the credit market and writes about how the Glasgow East by-election is shining light on the two nations of Scotland. James Forsyth wondered whether Labour should get the defeat out of the way as
Here are some of the posts made over the weekend: Fraser Nelson notes that Gordon Brown is only “currently” leader of the Labour party. The Skimmer wonders how a bunch of Labour talking-points got turned into an FT editorial. James Forsyth reflects on the resignation of Ray Lewis and the rather hysterical reaction to it
Welcome to the third CoffeeHousers’ Wall. CoffeeHousers’ Wall is a new feature on Spectator.co.uk. Every Monday, we’ll put up a ‘wall’ post and – 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
Cummins unstuck Sir: Rod Liddle (Liddle Britain, 28 June) is mistaken to suggest that only Guardian journalists objected to articles published in the Sunday Telegraph under the pseudonym Will Cummins. My Sunday Telegraph colleague Alasdair Palmer and I (both of whom have written frequently to attack Islamic fundamentalism and Islamist terrorism) protested strongly about them
The government has promised that from next year everyone aged between 40 and 75 will be offered an ‘MOT’ of their health. The patient most in need of a health check, however, was 60 this week: the NHS itself. To a limited extent the government has recognised the inadequacies of what for its first three
Some highlights of the week on Spectator.co.uk: George Osborne wants your questions. Maurice Gerard reports on the aftermath of the presidential election in Zimbabwe. Fraser Nelson says that Ken Clarke has watered down the West Lothian Answer , and congratulates Kylie on her OBE. James Forsyth thinks Ed Balls has failed the laugh test, and gives his