Best of the Spectator

Andy Burnham has laid out some of his top policy agendas for his premiership. Top of the list is to tackle homelessness – something the former Manchester mayor pledged to solve in Greater Manchester too, but the numbers have suggested the outcome was otherwise. What really needs to be done to fix homelessness in Britain? And how does his other policy of rent controls work against ending rough sleeping? Michael Simmons takes a look at the data.This episode is brought to you by Alliance Witan investment trust. To learn more about the trust and how we’re helping investors find their comfort zone, please visit Alliance Witan (ALW) | Investment Trust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: James Heale explains what the Opposition parties plan to do now that Andy Burnham is in No 10; Iona Bain explains why premium bonds are a pointless way to save for your child, and what to do instead; Tali Fraser asks whether we should be rolling back the years and all return to a barter economy; and finally, James Phillips reviews Biological War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen, giving us all a very friendly flashback to 2020. Produced and presented by Henry Lloyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Hilton is the British immigrant backed by President Trump who is running to be the next governor of California. On the podcast Steve and Freddy discuss his campaign, one slogan being Cali-fordable – how to improve the cost of living; why the Democratic 'machine' all hail from California and the East vs West coast political divide.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: has Andy Burnham really brought change to Downing Street – or merely repackaged Labour’s old guard? Has Ed Miliband been sidelined by being sent to the Foreign Office, a ‘non-job’ in which he can do little harm? The panel also asks whether Burnham is prepared to make the difficult decisions required of a prime minister – and why the Conservatives have been so reluctant to demand a general election.Also: is America’s socialist left taking over the Democratic party? Candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America are gaining ground, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may be underestimated as a future presidential nominee and parts of the radical left are beginning to embrace gun ownership. Could Bernie Sanders have beaten Donald Trump in 2016 – had the Democrats not chosen ‘the only person who could conceivably lose’ to him?Plus: who really blew up the Nord Stream pipeline? The accepted account holds that a small band of Ukrainians carried out one of the most sophisticated acts of sabotage in recent history. But does the evidence look less like a professional intelligence operation than ‘somebody establishing an alibi’?Produced by Patrick Gibbons, Oscar Edmondson and Gareth Roy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week marks the 160th anniversary of Beatrix Potter’s birth. In this week’s Book Club podcast, I’m joined by Penny Bradshaw, author of An A–Z of Beatrix Potter, and the historian and biographer Kathryn Hughes, whose books include Catland: Feline Enchantment and the Making of the Modern World, George Eliot and The Short Life and Long Times of Mrs Beeton.We plunge into the Potterverse. Does Potter get her due as a literary writer? How animal are her animals? And what went wrong for Ginger and Pickles? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has begun his premiership with a sweeping reshuffle, purging many of Keir Starmer’s closest allies and installing a cabinet in his own image. Has he ended Labour factionalism – or simply created a new faction of enemies? And does the appointment of John Healey as Chancellor suggest that Burnham wants a safe pair of hands rather than a rival power base?Michael and Maddie also ask whether Burnham’s early promises can survive contact with economic reality. With billions already pledged on defence, energy bills, transport and public ownership, where will the money come from – and what is his plan for growth?Plus: will Shabana Mahmood be allowed to get a grip on immigration? Can Ed Miliband be trusted at the Foreign Office? And could Burnham’s mother help kill off another attempt to legalise assisted dying?Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Michael Gove explains why he is against more security for MPs; taking a brief break from campaigning in clacton as count binface, Jon Harvey explains why Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey is a triumph; Michael Simmons says shut up about your disability; and finally, Graeme Thomson reviews Madonna. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Andy Burnham unveils his first Cabinet, join Tim Shipman and James Heale for a special live edition of Coffee House. Who’s in, who’s out? What do the appointments reveal about Burnham’s priorities, and might they hint at the likely direction of his premiership? Along with a panel of familiar faces and special guests, get the only analysis you’ll need as the political implications begin to unfold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, the Joe Rogan Experience podcast released a two-hour interview with Rupert Lowe, leader of the Restore party. Was Lowe there merely to create content – or is Restore a serious political party? Some of his statements suggest it’s the former rather than the latter. The Spectator's John O'Neil wrote a piece for the website correcting some of Lowe's claims. He joined Michael Simmons on this week's Reality Check.This episode is brought to you by Alliance Witan investment trust. To learn more about the trust and how we’re helping investors find their comfort zone, please visit Alliance Witan (ALW) | Investment Trust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday, the Senator Lindsay Graham died suddenly having just return from a trip to Ukraine. It is believed he suffered from a sudden heart problem. Spectator contributor Dan McCarthy reflects on Graham's political career which was heavily involved in foreign policy, his relationship with Trump and sense of humour, plus how Lindsay Graham represented the people of South Carolina, especially the army base which heavily influenced the area.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has promised to turn the whips’ office into an ‘HR department’ – but the former chief whip Simon Hart warns that the approach is ‘naive’ and could leave the new prime minister unable to control his party.Hart explains why large majorities can be harder to manage than small ones, what Keir Starmer got wrong and why Burnham will begin making enemies as soon as he appoints his first cabinet. He also defends Kemi Badenoch’s crackdown on Tory dissenters, arguing that there must be consequences when private disagreement becomes public disloyalty.Plus: does Parliament take MPs’ safety seriously enough? Hart argues that security has improved significantly in recent years, and that the idea MPs are routinely left unprotected is a ‘myth’.Noa Hoffman speaks to Simon Hart, the former government chief whip and author of Ungovernable: The Political Diaries of a Chief Whip.Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s Edition, William Moore is joined by The Spectator’s political editor, Tim Shipman, commissioning editor and writer at large Tali Fraser, and the historian Antony Beevor.This week: what will Andy Burnham actually do in Downing Street? Tim reveals what to expect from the incoming prime minister’s first ten days, from a blitz of policies and a ‘Number 10 North’ to higher borrowing and wealth taxes.Also: has Britain expanded the definition of disability too far? The panel discusses Michael Simmons’s argument that compassion should not mean turning every difficulty into a disorder – and asks how the government can encourage resilience and work while protecting those who genuinely need support.Plus: Tali investigates the Welsh government’s plan to make Wales ‘anti-racist’ by 2030. From hate-crime training for landlords to decolonising museums – and even Welsh cakes – has the Welsh government gone mad?Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is Tim Whitmarsh, Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge and author of Rome’s Age of Revolution: Augustus, Empire and the Making of Christianity. He tells me why, contrary to what we may have learnt at Sunday school, early Christianity flourished not despite the Roman empire, but because of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louis Mosley is the UK head of Palantir, one of the world’s most powerful – and controversial – technology companies. Its work with the NHS, the US government and western militaries has made it a lightning rod for criticism, with opponents accusing it of threatening privacy, enabling mass deportations and supporting military operations in Gaza. Louis therefore occupies an unusual position at the intersection of technology, politics and the British state.On the podcast, he explains what Palantir actually does, why fears over NHS data are misplaced and why scrapping its contract would be a ‘terrible mistake’. He tells Michael why technology companies should not overrule democratically elected governments, why Palantir is ‘ideological, not political’ and why it believes in strengthening liberal democracies.They also discuss the coming AI revolution: why Britain is unusually well placed to benefit, how artificial intelligence could transform failing public services and why the ‘lanyard class’ may have more to fear than frontline workers.Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Both Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe have been in the America, telling the political elite all about Britain's demise. Freddy Gray is joined by The Times Washington editor Katy Balls to discuss how the right-wing insurgence in British politics translates to an American, the difference between how the online right, versus a typical Republican may see Farage vs Lowe, and how significant Trump has been to British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: Tali Fraser gives the definitive answer to what Andy Burnham’s ‘Manchesterism’ actually is; Damian Thompson asks if there is any route back for the Society of St Pius X; Matthew Wilson discusses whether Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey can live up to the 2,700-year history of artworks depicting Homer’s epic; and Christa d’Souza reads her Notes on … Tans.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From idolising players to faithfully following a club, football is often described as the world’s secular religion. But religion has long been woven into the fabric of the game itself. From the sectarian roots of Glasgow’s Old Firm rivalry between Catholic Celtic and Protestant Rangers to Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in 1986, faith has repeatedly shaped football’s biggest moments.This year’s World Cup has offered plenty more examples. Players have prayed openly during matches; images of Lionel Messi as a saint have appeared at Argentina games; and Muslim footballers have performed the sujood on the pitch after victory. Meanwhile, following Brazil’s earlier-than-expected exit, some distraught supporters blamed the country’s rapid growth of Protestantism, lamenting: ‘If we pray like a gringo, we play like a gringo.’So how has religion shaped the world’s most popular sport? And why is Christianity becoming increasingly visible in modern football?Produced by Patrick Gibbons & Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tories will not stand a candidate against Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election – and on today’s podcast Conservative party chairman Kevin Hollinrake explains why.Hollinrake also reveals what is behind the turnaround in the Conservatives’ fortunes and their bump in the polls, as well as how the party plans to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past: namely, talking right but governing left. Can Kemi really hold back the Tory wets? And how exactly do the Conservatives plan to take the fight to Reform?Noa Hoffman speaks to Kevin Hollinrake.Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s Edition, Lara Prendergast is joined by The Spectator’s political editor Tim Shipman, deputy editor of the US edition Gus Carter and the Mail on Sunday’s restaurant critic Tom Parker Bowles.This week: Nigel Farage’s greatest gamble. After resigning as MP for Clacton to trigger a by-election, Farage has tried to turn questions over his finances into a referendum on the establishment. Tim explains why the move may already have backfired, with the main parties refusing to stand against him and leaving him to spend the summer ‘arguing with a bin’. But he also argues that Farage is returning to what he does best: insurgency, grievance and campaigning against the political class. Has he reclaimed the narrative – or retreated from the idea of becoming prime minister?Also: can Andy Burnham export the Manchester model to the rest of Britain? As the incoming prime minister prepares for Downing Street, Gus looks at the property developers behind Manchester’s rise.Plus: Tom Parker Bowles on the crisis in British hospitality, why pubs matter and what the government keeps getting wrong about restaurants.Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gavin Newsom has spent the last two years building a national profile for himself beyond his controversial leadership of California as its Governor. But is he equipped to take on the challenges that would be faced by a Presidential run in 2028, that go beyond the left-wing political bubble of The Golden State? Freddy Gray speaks to Christopher Rufo, author of the Christopher Rufo Substack, and a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Project, about the real Gavin Newsom and the decay of California under his watch.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage has resigned as MP for Clacton and will fight a by-election in an attempt to turn questions over his finances into a referendum on ‘the people vs the establishment’. Is this a political masterstroke or a mistake? Has Farage taken back control of the narrative, or will the row over undeclared money continue to plague Reform?Michael and Maddie also discuss whether Dominic Cummings’s prophecy – that the establishment would try to destroy Farage by fair means or foul – has come true.Plus: Prince Harry has suffered a bruising defeat in court against the Mail. What does the ruling tell us about press freedom?Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has laid out his plans to 'level up the North'. Something we have heard with almost every Prime Minister pledge to do – but with very little clarity over how this will be achieved and what success looks like. It's true there is a clear divide when it comes to economic outcomes between London and the North. Michael Simmons takes a look at the data and discusses a left-wing levelling up agenda with Ed Shackle Head of Qualitative Research at Public First and Neil O'Brien, Conservative MP and former minister for Levelling up.This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/ . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Max Jeffery explains the truth about how the British Empire is taught in schools; Gavin Mortimer asks why Giorgia Meloni is courting Emmanuel Macron; James Delingpole reviews the World Cup; after 25 years, Aidan Hartley bows out as the Spectator’s Wild life columnist; and finally, the Spectator’s new restaurant critic Angus Colwell ponders how much discount you should get, if your father almost chokes to death on a lamb kleftiko.  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It might be 250 years since the Declaration of Independence but the document continues to prove controversial, with political groups arguing over the intention behind the document – just watch any Supreme Court case. To mark the 4th of July, Professor Gregg Frazer joins Damian Thompson to talk about the intention of the founding fathers in terms of religion – did they really want America to become a Christian nation?With President Trump courting evangelical Christian voters, rising religious tensions amongst religious minorities and some sections of society advocating for ‘Christian nationalism’, is America’s free market in religious ideas being tested to its limit?Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Americans mark the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, Anthony Scaramucci joins the Spectator to provide his assessment of the health of the nation. As we approach the halfway point of the second Trump presidency, what's his impact been on America's reputation? Will the Democrats' attempts to emulate Trump help or hinder them? And why are American conservatives so obsessed with Britain – or rather, Britain's supposed decline?Declaring Trump 'an ageing queen' under whom 'the spirit of hypocrisy lives on' in America, the former White House communications director joins Freddy Gray and Tim Shipman for this special Coffee House Shots / Americano crossover to mark the 4th of July.Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Natasha Feroze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s Edition, Lara Prendergast is joined by the Spectator’s deputy editor Freddy Gray, assistant content editor John Power and former Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt.This week: Labour’s lame duck period drags on, with Keir Starmer searching for a legacy before he leaves office. This week he has announced more money for Defence, though with several caveats, the biggest of which is unfunded billions left for the (presumably) incoming Burnham administration to fix. Penny Mordaunt, a former Conservative Defence Secretary, explains why Starmer has been a ‘total failure’ on Defence, saying Labour have failed to take Defence seriously and need to explain to the country that tough choices lie ahead. She argues Sir Keir is worse than Corbyn, who at least had a principled position on Defence. Her warning is stark: forget NATO targets of 3,4 or 5% of GDP – war would mean 50%, and the next few decades could be 'the worst humanity have ever lived through’. Also: the ‘dark money’ secretly funding net zero campaigns. John Power explains the links between Ed Miliband, China and pro net zero campaign groups in the UK, arguing that while political interest groups are not inherently bad, transparency should work both ways. Many left-leaning groups seem to operate under the belief they can be opaque as long as – to them – the end justifies the means. Penny provides her own verdict on Miliband, tipped to be the next Chancellor, saying she has 'never known him to make a correct decision’. Plus: as Starmer starts packing up at Number 10, could another former Conservative Prime Minister be plotting his return to office?Produced by Patrick Gibbons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is the former Obama speechwriter Ben Rhodes, talking about his new book All We Say: A History of the United States in 15 Speeches. Ben tells me why a debate between two visions of what makes the US special has been playing out since the nation's conception, what Frederick Douglass has to say to the America of the 21st century, and why Ben Franklin didn't think the constitution was sacred.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the nation holds its breath to see if England will be progressing in the World Cup, the bottles of Pol Roger are on ice for the post-match after party: the Spectator's summer party, taking place this evening. Opening the doors of the Spectator to listeners of Coffee House Shots, James Heale, Freddy Gray, Noa Hoffman and Tim Shipman talk about their favourite memories, how to survive events like this – and which politicians handle their drink best. Plus, with Starmer on the way out, will Labour politicians be partying – or plotting?Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: Burnham’s strategy – or lack of one – a ‘number ten of the North’ and why immigration is the real test.What is so wrong with the South: Andy Burnham thinks devolution is the answer to Broken Britain, but does his diagnosis amount to an actionable plan for government? And does his focus on the North come at the expense of some of Britain’s most deprived areas? Michael knows the machinery of levelling up better than anyone and Madeline was in the room as Burnham made his big pitch – they give their verdict. Plus: Shabana Mahmood’s immigration muddle. After a row with junior minister Mike Tapp, the Home Office has announced plans for new safe and legal routes for asylum seekers, modelled on the Homes for Ukraine scheme. But is indefinite leave to remain the real test for Labour’s new approach?Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After success in the New York democratic primaries for far-left candidates, President Trump says 'the game is on. Enjoy Watching.' Freddy Gray speaks to Spectator columnist, Roger Kimball, about how Trump plans to deal with the radical left, the lawlessness of New York under Mamdani, and how artificial intelligence is changing politics. Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Richard Madeley wonders if anyone in the media still drinks; Michael Simmons asks if the UK is ready for Andy Burnham’s first Budget; Gus Carter explains the Spectator’s role in the birth of America; and finally, Arabella Byrne provides her notes on coconut water.  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vice President JD Vance is returning from the Swiss Alps having concluded the opening phase of the Iran talks with a view to achieving a peace deal. Are critics right to claim that the whole war has been a humiliation for America? Freddy Gray speaks to Stanford Professor Victor Davis Hanson about MAGA foreign policy, the midterms, why oil is so important to the American voter & the right wing realignment in Latin America.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are on course for yet another prime minister – our seventh in just ten years. With statistics like that, and after watching the now-familiar pattern of leaders arriving with promises of hopeful change only to collapse into inertia and scandal, it is little wonder that many assume Britain has become ungovernable. But is that really true? Or have we simply had a uniquely bad crop of prime ministers, each sent packing because of their own mistakes?James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Luke Tryl.Produced (for the final time) by Megan McElroy. We all wish her luck at Politico! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s Edition, William Moore is joined by the Spectator’s political editor Tim Shipman, the drinks writer Henry Jeffreys and the founder and chair of iNHouse Communications – and former director of communications for Theresa May – Katie Perrior.This week: another year, another prime ministerial resignation – it’s all becoming a little too common in British politics. The guests give their views on Starmer’s downfall and look ahead to the inevitable Andy Burnham premiership, from his policy agenda to who’s in – and who’s out – when it comes to the Cabinet and all-important role of Chancellor. Facing criticism that he lacks a mandate, not to mention how recently he was elected to Parliament, should he call for a general election? Burnham may be influenced from Gordon Brown’s failure to call one in 2007 but, as Katie warns, snap elections don't always go your way – just ask Theresa May. And do you agree with Tim characterising Burnham as Labour’s first female leader. Also: from Burnham’s black t-shirt to Theresa May’s kitten heels, does it matter how politicians dress? Henry makes his argument that people should always strive to dress well and why – from charity shops to the app Vinted – it’s never been easier to do so.Plus: as the country bakes, what’s the best booze to drink to cool off?Produced by Patrick Gibbons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Book Club podcast, I'm joined by the theoretical physicist and writer Carlo Rovelli to discuss his new book 85 Seconds to Midnight: A Physicist's Argument Against Rearmament, where in imitation of Einstein and Bertrand Russell, he uses his platform as a public intellectual to speak against the logic of nuclear escalation. He tells me what the Nazis got right and the US got wrong in the later years of the Second World War, why physicists have a bad conscience about the bomb – and why the threat to civilisation has never been greater.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Edited by Ed Parker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: Starmer’s exit, Burnham’s rise – and the court of King Andy.As Keir Starmer resigns after less than two years in office, Michael and Madeline ask what really brought his premiership to an end. Was Starmer simply overtaken by events, or did his downfall reveal something deeper: a disdain for politics, a mishandling of Southport and the grooming gangs scandal, and a growing gulf between Labour’s governing class and the country?They also discuss Andy Burnham’s march on Westminster. Is he the charismatic, communitarian figure Labour needs to take on Reform – or a political people-pleaser surrounded by the wrong people?Plus: what does the Conservatives’ victory in Aberdeen South tell us about net zero, Reform and whether the Tories really are doomed to become Nigel Farage’s roadkill?Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freddy Gray is joined by Nate Soares, president of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, to discuss the risks posed to humanity by AI. Warning that sufficiently intelligent AI may stop following human instructions entirely, Soares tells Freddy what, if anything, could keep AI from spiralling out of control.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Illegal tobacco is estimated to cost the UK around £2 billion a year in lost tax revenue, while undercutting legitimate retailers and providing a lucrative market for organised crime.Sarah Connor, UK director of communications at JTI, Rohan Pike, an international illicit trade expert and former police officer, and Andrew Boff, Conservative chair of the London Assembly, join The Spectator’s economics editor Michael Simmons to discuss how illegal tobacco is affecting Britain’s high streets. They examine whether rising tobacco duties and new regulations are pushing consumers towards the black market; what Britain can learn from Australia, where the legal tobacco market has been ‘given up’ to criminals; and whether stronger enforcement, higher fines and better support for trading standards can protect honest shopkeepers.This podcast is sponsored by JTI, with editorial control retained by The Spectator. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Freddy Gray asks whether the Iran deal will destroy J.D. Vance; Matt Ridley argues that Britain must finally embrace gene editing; Peter Parker explains the problem with ‘queer art'; and finally, Lloyd Evans says the NHS treats everyone fairly – with contempt. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Christians and non-Christians alike, Mormons remain a bit of an enigma – especially in the UK. In the US however there are almost 7 million and they punch above their weight in terms of political influence; notable members of congress include former senator, and one-time presidential candidate, Mitt Romney.This influence meant that a row erupted in the past fortnight when the Pentagon released its updated list of religious affiliations and listed the Church of Latter-Day Saints independently from other Christian denominations, implying members were not Christian. This move was quickly denounced, with Mike Lee – a Mormon and Republican Senator – leading the charge, calling the move ‘outrageous’, the Pentagon subsequently backtracked. Yet, many other Christian denominations have long felt that Mormons are not Christians as they have their own supplemental scripture and hold different views over the Trinity and the afterlife. Mark Tooley, a methodist and friend of Holy Smoke, joins Damian Thompson to discuss the row. Are Mormons Christian? Who gets to decide whether a person is Christian or not? And can the government and state ever have a role in this debate?Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has won what may come to be seen as the most consequential by-election in recent memory. Political journalism has a tendency towards hyperbole, but the situation is clear: Burnham is on his way to Westminster with significant backing to take on Keir Starmer; he has proved that he can beat Reform on a ‘stop Starmer’ ticket and will now look to translate that message nationally; he also appears to have united the left behind him, with the Lib Dems and Greens barely registering in Makerfield.Meanwhile, the right is splintered. Reform’s momentum has been seriously dented, while the Tories have been buoyed by a welcome by-election victory in Aberdeen South. Big questions remain: will Starmer step aside with decorum, or subject the country to a painful Labour leadership contest? And after their fifth by-election defeat, where does this leave Nigel Farage?Political editor Tim Shipman is joined by a panel of guests and experts to unpack Andy Burnham’s win in Makerfield and the wider ramifications of a huge day in British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s Edition, William Moore is joined by the Spectator’s assistant editor Isabel Hardman and the editor of The New Statesman Tom McTague. Plus, in a special episode this week, the Spectator’s economics editor Michael Simmons joins for the first half of the episode, before political editor Tim Shipman jumps in later on.This week: was Brexit worth it? As we approach the tenth anniversary of the vote to leave the European Union, the Spectator’s editor – and former prominent Vote Leave campaigner – Michael Gove makes the case that not only was Britain right to leave, but it has benefitted from leaving. The past decade however has been marked by domestic political chaos, so to what extent was Brexit a symptom or a cause of deeper problems with the British state? Tom argues that whatever your thoughts on Brexit itself, most people in Britain – including in Makerfield – feel nothing has changed; it has been a ‘damp squib’. The author of Between The Waves, which charts the decision to Leave back to the Second World War, explains that while Brexit might not have been inevitable, there was always going to be a reckoning for Britain’s contradictory relationship with Europe. Brexit has undoubtably destabilised politics but, with a decade of chaos since, does that mean that Brexit has failed – or has the state failed? Also: to what extent is the Labour leadership saga connected to Brexit? Is it a symptom of the post-Brexit period, or was British politics always heading for instability? The group discuss where it all went wrong for Keir Starmer, from winter fuel to the welfare rebellion, and whether Andy Burnham will be able to succeed where Starmer failed. As the polls close in Makerfield, what happens next?Produced by Patrick Gibbons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is the Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, whose new book, A British Childhood: How Our Children Live Now, describes what he discovered from the travels he undertook during his work with BookTrust and the Laureateship.He tells me what he learned about what really happens when a parent reads to a child, why the crisis in childhood reading is down to much more than the rise of screens – and how Heidi can save your life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enoch Powell is one of the most polarising figures in modern British politics. His infamous ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech – in which he warned that immigration would spark ethnic conflict – continues to shape some of today’s most important debates on race, identity and immigration.Michael Gove and assistant editor Madeline Grant sit down with Simon Heffer, author of Like the Roman: The Life of Enoch Powell, to explore Powell’s legacy. They examine how he became a model for populist rhetoric and discuss why understanding Enoch Powell is central to understanding the right today. This podcast was originally recorded as a live event. To find out more about future Spectator events go to: spectator.com/events Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has announced his plans to ban social media for under 16s in Britain. The ban is due to come in early next year and include all main social media apps. Age-recognition and digital ID checks will be used to keep children away from social media. But when it comes to child safety, will it make a difference? And what are the unintended consequences of a ban? Michael Simmons challenges The Spectator's John Power.This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/ . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freddy is joined by Daniel McCarthy, US columnist for The Spectator and the editor of Modern Age: A Conservative Review. They discuss the US-Iran peace deal, whether a lasting peace is possible in the region, and what's at stake for Iran and leaders in the Persian Gulf.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman interviews Kemi Badenoch – including excerpts from the interview; Justin Marozzi argues that Trump’s strategy has only strengthened the Iranian regime; Christopher Howse pays tribute to ‘London’s rudest landlord'; and finally, Lara Prendergasts says that ‘matrescence’ is one big con.  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freddy Gray is joined by Cenk Uygur after he and Hasan Piker were banned from entering Britain. They discuss free speech, debate Cenk's position on criticising Israel, Britain’s censorious turn, and what the Henry Nowak case reveals about policing and anti-racism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s Edition, William Moore is joined by the Spectator's commissioning editor Lara Brown, the columnist for the Wall Street Journal’s Free Expression newsletter Louise Perry and the Telegraph journalist and presenter of Ukraine: The Latest Francis Dearnley.This week: Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has now gone on longer than the first world war and it shares much of the horrors of that war, from attrition warfare to substantial losses on both sides. So, with over half a million Russians estimated to be killed, could Putin and Zelensky be brought to an exhausted peace? ’No’ is the pessimistic answer from Francis Dearnley this week, who explains that while it might appear to be stuck in a stalemate, casualties are still rising rapidly and Ukraine is currently in the strongest position it has been in for almost 18 months. This is in part due to advances in drone technology, of which Ukraine is now the world’s leading ’superpower’. Drone technology has evolved so rapidly that Francis predicts ‘we are only a few months away from our first political assassination by drone’. What could bring the war to an end? And does British support for Ukraine remain strong?Also: one week out from the Makerfield by-election, what do we know of Andy Burnham’s Cambridge days? Lara Brown reveals the ‘reassuringly bland’ antics of the Northern lad – who could become Britain’s first Prime Minister with an English Literature degree. Does it matter? And more importantly – will he win?Plus, they discuss: whether ‘two-tiering’ or positive discrimination can ever be a good thing; if the new motherhood trend of ‘matrescence’ is a con; and, as the World Cup kicks off – is it coming home?Produced by Patrick Gibbons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is Andrea Wulf, talking about her fascinating new book, The Traveller: George Forster and the Search for Humanity. Andrea tells me about the now-forgotten adventurer who sailed with Captain Cook, toured Europe as an intellectual celebrity and sparred with Kant and Rousseau over race and human civilisation – before throwing his lot in with the French Revolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.