A reminder that the latest Spectator / Intelligence Squared debate – The West is provoking a new Cold War with Russia – takes place at 18:45 today. Speaking for the motion are the journalist Anatole Kaletsky; the award-winning historian Norman Stone; and Alexei Pushkov, the anchor of the popular Russian TV programme Post Scriptum. They
Here are some of the posts made over the weekend: Peter Hoskin is impressed by David Cameron’s Spring Forum speech, and asks whether we should talk with terrorists. Fraser Nelson highlights Britain’s welfare ghettos. James Forsyth writes about the Tories’ commanding poll lead. And, over at Americano, James also reveals how John McCain wants to define his
Martial virtues Sir: In his article about his film of the Haditha killings (‘The burden of guilt at Haditha’, 8 March), Nick Broomfield subscribes to the tired cliché that, in war, ‘everyone is a victim’. This has been the prevailing assumption of film-makers since at least the 1970s, and I had hoped a Spectator article
How much better it might have been if Alistair Darling had heeded the advice of the director-general of the CBI, Richard Lambert, and kept his first budget speech to no more than six simple paragraphs. On a day that began with news that central banks around the world had just pumped £100 billion of emergency
Here are some of the posts made over the past week: Nick Clegg asks CoffeeHousers for their questions. Peter Hoskin on why school-leavers shouldn’t have to swear allegiance. James Forsyth charts the bitter back-and-forth between Team Clinton and Team Obama. Matthew d’Ancona tells the Government to stop meddling with schools. Andrew Neil takes on Gordon
We’ve just put up two articles by Ian Mulheirn, the Chief Economist at Social Market Foundation. The first is on mortgages, and can be found here. The second, on green taxation, is here.
With Alistair Darling delivering his Budget speech at 12:30, Coffee House is shifting into live coverage mode. Expect frequent updates, as well as analysis from Matthew d’Ancona, Fraser Neslon, Martin Vander Weyer and others. Click here for our live coverage
Tune into Coffee House tomorrow for live coverage of Alistair Darling’s Budget speech from 12:30pm. Throughout the day, we’ll have anaylsis from Matthew d’Ancona, Fraser Neslon, Martin Vander Weyer and several guest contributors.
Education revolution Sir: Fraser Nelson (‘Made in Sweden’, 1 March) is right to highlight the importance of Sweden’s independent state schools for the debate on school choice and diversity. The successful Swedish experience strongly influenced New Labour reformers as we sought to introduce independent state-funded schools into England. However, it doesn’t need the Conservatives to
One of the most compelling arguments for the existence of the House of Lords is what political scientists, borrowing the language of biologists, call ‘redundancy’. We have two eyes and two kidneys in case one malfunctions. In the case of the repackaged EU Constitution — now called the Lisbon treaty — the House of Commons
A reminder that – after all your suggestions – Coffee House has begun its detailed analysis of Brownies, those little lies that our Prime Minister constantly tells. The introductory post is here. And Fraser’s breakdown of Brownie No.1 – Inflation – is here. Also, Coffee House will be starting its Budget coverage this weekend. Before,
A podcast of last night’s Spectator / Intelligence Squared debate – “Britain should have a referendum on the EU Treaty” – is available here. Lloyd Evans’ web exclusive report on the debate can also be accessed here.
A reminder that the Spectator / Intelligence Squared debate – “Britain should have a referendum on the EU Treaty” – begins at 18:45 tonight. Standing for the motion are Lord Lamont; Neil O’Brien, the director of Open Europe; and the award-winning historian Andrew Roberts. They’ll be opposed by Denis MacShane MP; Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of
With today’s key vote dominating the headlines, a reminder that The Spectator / Intelligence Squared are holding a special emergency debate at 18:45 tonight – “Britain should have a referendum on the EU Treaty”. There’s a heavyweight line-up of speakers. Standing for the motion are Lord Lamont; Neil O’Brien, the director of Open Europe; and the award-winning historian Andrew
Be sure to check out some of the posts made over the weekend: Peter Hoskin offers his cultural picks, and reflects on Gordon Brown’s speech to the Labour Party Spring Conference. Fraser Nelson investigates whether David Cameron is the British Barack Obama. And over at Americano, James Forsyth reports from Texas on why Obama may
Rip up Blairism by the roots Sir: Michael Gove (Politics, 23 February) gives a eulogy to Tony Blair, ‘I admired Tony Blair. I knew Tony Blair’. I had hoped that David Cameron’s claim to be ‘the heir to Blair’ was just a silly mistake springing from inexperience. It is more worrying to find that Blair
The Spectator on why the Speaker is further besmirching the reputation of Parliament The Speakership of the House of Commons has been aptly described as ‘the linchpin of the whole chariot’. This is why the lamentable conduct of Michael Martin, who has occupied the Speaker’s Chair since 2000, is more than just another parliamentary ‘sleaze’
Here – for the benefit of CoffeeHousers – is the full text of a letter from Lord Tebbit that will run in tomorrow’s Spectator: “Sir: Michael Gove gives a eulogy to Tony Blair, ‘I admired Tony Blair. I knew Tony Blair’. I had hoped that David Cameron’s claim to be ‘the heir to Blair’ was just a silly
Tonight, an all star panel debate whether all schools should be allowed to select their own pupils. Speakers for the motion are Chris Woodhead, former chief inspector of schools, Dr Martin Stephen, High Master of St Pauls, and Lord Tebbit. Opposing them are David Bunkett, Fiona Millar, Cherie Blair’s former aide, and William Atkinson, headmaster
Just a reminder that the latest Spectator/Intelligence Squared debate – “All schools, state as well as private should be allowed to select their own pupils” – begins at 18:45 tonight. The speakers for the motion are Professor Chris Woodhead, the former Chief Inspector of Schools; Martin Stephen, High Master of St Paul’s School; and the Rt Hon Lord Tebbit. Whilst those against