Best of the Spectator
Home to the Spectator's best podcasts on everything from politics to religion, literature to food and drink, and more. A new podcast every day from writers worth listening to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
All episodes(50)
- StandardSummaries onlyHoly Smoke: Catholic Burnham barred – should the law change?
Published Sep 13, 2026
Holy SmokeAndy Burnham has announced his intention to change a law which bars him from advising the King on appointments to the Church of England. The Victorian-era law explicitly bars Catholics like Burnham, as well as Jews – but doesn't prevent those of other Christian denominations, other faiths – like Hindu Rishi Sunak, or atheists like Keir Starmer. So, if the law is going to be changed to address this anomaly, should it allow all Prime Ministers of any faith to provide advice – or should all non-Ang
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Edition: Will Andy drill deep for oil & gas – and is Bayeux in Britain as good as it gets?
Published Sep 11, 2026
The EditionWilliam Moore is joined by The Spectator's economics editor Michael Simmons, The Spectator's commissioning editor and writer at large Tali Fraser, and the Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party Alex Burghart MP.This week: has Labour stopped just stopping oil? Michael reveals that ministers are expected to approve the Jackdaw gas field within days, while Rosebank is held back until after the by-election in Keir Starmer's old seat – and asks whether a party whose last energy secretary called the
- StandardSummaries onlyReality Check: Arthur Laffer vs Aaron Bastani | LIVE
Published Sep 11, 2026
Reality CheckArthur Laffer, the economist, former adviser to Ronald Reagan and architect of the Laffer Curve, goes head-to-head with journalist and left-wing author Aaron Bastani over one question: should Britain introduce a wealth tax?Chaired by The Spectator’s economics editor and host of the Reality Check podcast, Michael Simmons, they debate whether a wealth tax could raise significant revenue, or simply drive wealth and investment out of the UK.Spectator subscribers can watch the full debate at spectato
- StandardSummaries onlyHannah Richell: An Ocean and a Day
Published Sep 9, 2026
Hannah RichellIn this week’s Book Club podcast, Sam Leith is joined by bestselling novelist Hannah Richell to discuss her new memoir, An Ocean and a Day.When Hannah’s husband died in a surfing accident, her life in Australia was shattered. Suddenly, she was a single mother to two young children, navigating a grief she could never have imagined. Her memoir traces that journey from the moment of the accident, but, more uniquely, looks beyond those first years of loss – to what grief looks like with the benefit
- StandardSummaries onlyQuite right!: Danny Kruger interview | LIVE at Reform Conference
Published Sep 8, 2026
Michael Gove is joined by Reform UK MP Danny Kruger to discuss the party’s plans for government and why he believes Britain is in a ‘revolutionary moment’.Kruger sets out how Reform would overhaul Whitehall, including replacing the Cabinet Secretary, reforming the civil service and taking a ‘torch’ to parts of the quango state. He also argues for major changes to the way judges are appointed and says Parliament must ultimately remain sovereign over the courts.They also discuss immigration, welfa
- StandardSummaries onlyCoffee House Shots: Malcolm Rifkind on Farage, Kemi and Burnham's gift to the Tories
Published Sep 7, 2026
Coffee House Shotsir Malcolm Rifkind joins Tim Shipman and James Heale to discuss the future of the conservatism and tells The Spectator why Kemi Badenoch is the person to bring the Conservative Party back from the brink.He explains why he thinks Reform is already losing momentum, why Nigel Farage is ‘not fit to govern’, and why Andy Burnham could actually help the Conservatives at the next election.He also reflects on Britain’s relationship with Israel and the United States, criticises Labour’s approach to sanct
- StandardSummaries onlySpectator Out Loud: Noa Hoffman, Robert Hardman, Patrick Galbraith, & Matthew Reisz
Published Sep 5, 2026
Spectator Out LoudOn this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Noa Hoffman explains why Keir Starmer’s empty seat could become a Green Party battleground; Robert Hardman tells us how the death of Norway’s King Harald could reshape the royal family; Patrick Galbraith says it has been a disastrous year for British farming; and Matthew Reisz explores the unique relationship between artist Paula Rego and her model, Anthony Rudolf.Produced and presented by Abigail Brierley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform
- StandardSummaries onlyQuite right!: Francis Fukuyama interview
Published Sep 4, 2026
Michael Gove is joined by political scientist Francis Fukuyama to discuss liberalism, populism and the future of democracy in an increasingly unstable world.Francis reflects on The End of History and why its argument was so often misunderstood, before turning to the transformation of the American right under Donald Trump. Why have traditional conservative ideas lost their hold – and what explains the rise of populism across the West?They also discuss Brexit, which Francis argues Britain should r
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Edition: has Reform UK lost its magic? | with Quentin Letts
Published Sep 3, 2026
Quentin LettsLara Prendergast is joined by The Spectator’s political editor Tim Shipman, columnist and journalist Melanie McDonagh, and the Daily Mail’s parliamentary sketchwriter Quentin Letts.This week: has Reform UK lost its magic? Ahead of the party’s conference, Tim reveals its plans for the first 100 days of a Reform government – and asks whether Nigel Farage can persuade voters that his party is ready to govern after a turbulent summer.Also: what is happening in Middlesbrough? The panel discuss rising
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Book Club: James Marriott
Published Sep 2, 2026
The Book ClubIn this week’s Book Club podcast, Sam Leith is joined by The Times columnist James Marriott, whose new book is The New Dark Ages: The End of Reading and the Dawn of a Post-literate Society.Are we witnessing the end of the reading age? James explains why literacy has shaped not just our culture but the way we think – and why its decline could have profound consequences for politics, democracy and public life. They discuss how television, TikTok and short-form video have transformed our attention
- StandardSummaries onlyQuite right!: Why the Tories are preparing for an early election
Published Sep 2, 2026
Kemi Badenoch has kicked off the new political term with a major reshuffle of her top team. Michael and Maddie ask what the changes tell us about the direction of the Conservative party, whether Andrew Griffith can sharpen its economic offer – and whether Badenoch is already preparing for an early election.Meanwhile, Andy Burnham returns to the Commons after a relatively comfortable summer. Has the Prime Minister been governing on ‘easy mode’ so far, and is his brand of politics simply the ‘chee
- StandardSummaries onlyAmericano: why did the CIA director fly to Moscow?
Published Sep 1, 2026
Gus Carter is joined by Owen Matthews, the Spectator's Russia writer, to discuss John Ratcliffe's unannounced trip to Moscow, where the CIA director met Russia's foreign intelligence chief but not Putin.Owen runs through the possible reasons: Iran, a suspected Russian provocation against NATO, and the stalled peace process. They also discuss the sabotage campaign across Europe and the sanctions bill that could hurt Russia more than anything Trump has tried.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid i
- StandardSummaries onlySpectator Out Loud: Simon Sebag Montefiore, Vanessa Feltz, Sophia Money-Coutts & Angus Colwell
Published Aug 31, 2026
Spectator Out LoudOn this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Simon Sebag Montefiore explains how his ancestor dealt with antisemitism; Vanessa Feltz says she is coming for Piers Morgan; Sophia Money-Coutts argues we should cut the price of stamps to save the Christmas card; and finally, Angus Colwell takes on the Cornish culinary mafia. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- StandardSummaries onlyHoly Smoke: are you having a 'nun girl summer'?
Published Aug 30, 2026
Holy SmokeWhy are young women suddenly fascinated by nuns? From ‘nun girl summer’ on TikTok to a wider ‘quiet revival’ of Christianity among Generation Z, the religious life appears to be enjoying an unexpected cultural moment. But is the attraction genuinely spiritual – or are young women simply drawn to the aesthetics, certainty and tranquillity of convent life?This week on Holy Smoke, Damian Thompson is joined by the Spectator's US assistant editor Margaret Mitchell and the Daily Mail’s Mimi Yates to d
- StandardSummaries onlyCoffee House Shots: why I quit government | Al Carns
Published Aug 28, 2026
Coffee House ShotsFormer veterans minister Al Carns joins James Heale to discuss the government’s handling of Northern Ireland legacy cases – and why the issue helped drive him to resign.Writing in The Spectator this week, Al attacks the ‘two-track approach’ to legacy cases, which he says could cost taxpayers billions, and warns against allowing the history of the Troubles to be ‘rewritten through the courts’. He argues that Labour failed to listen properly to veterans before changing the law and sets out what mo
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Edition: how the blob broke teaching | with Francis Foster
Published Aug 27, 2026
Francis FosterLara Prendergast is joined by The Spectator’s economics editor Michael Simmons, author and critic Philip Hensher, and comedian and co-host if the Triggernometry podcast Frances Foster.This week: are good teachers under siege? The panel discuss Michael Gove’s cover story on the education establishment, from collapsing classroom discipline to the ‘pathetically low ambition’ of those training Britain’s teachers. Also: have accusations of bullying become a weapon against demanding ministers? Michael
- StandardSummaries onlyReality Check: the ADHD debate we’re not allowed to have
Published Aug 26, 2026
Reality CheckThe backlash to Channel 4’s The Great ADHD Myth has reignited a fierce debate over how we diagnose ADHD – and whether that debate itself is becoming impossible to have.Michael Simmons looks at the extraordinary rise in diagnoses, the gap between recorded cases and underlying prevalence, and asks whether we are increasingly medicalising normal variations in behaviour.Is Britain finally recognising a vast amount of unmet need – or has diagnosis begun to serve a social as well as a medical function
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Book Club: Simon Sebag Montefiore – The Cauldron
Published Aug 25, 2026
The Book ClubMy guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is Simon Sebag Montefiore, the author of a number of fantastic books, including The Cauldron, which released this week. Simon and I talk about the making of the modern middle east, and how we forget some of the most fundamental groups who shaped this part of the world into the region that we know of today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- StandardSummaries onlyAmericano: Just how bad are polls for the Republicans?
Published Aug 25, 2026
Freddy Gray is joined by James Johnson, co-founder of JL Partners, on why the midterms are looking increasingly grim for the Republicans. Trump's approval is trending down, the war is dragging on it, and James expects differential turnout to hand the Democrats the House, possibly with more than 230 seats.Freddy and James discuss why a Senate map that should have been safe for Republicans is now a toss-up, which six states will decide it, why prediction markets are not the answer, and why Michiga
- StandardSummaries onlySpectator Out Loud: Madeline Grant, Harry Mount, Freddie Heffer & Toby Young
Published Aug 24, 2026
Spectator Out LoudOn this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Madeline Grant argues that the debate about the direction of James Bond mirrors Britain’s decline; Harry Mount makes the case for scrapping dinner parties; Freddie Heffer provides his notes on mulberries; and finally, Toby Young says that friendly fire hurts the most, as he reflects on the fallout from the Jason Arday scandal. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- StandardSummaries onlyHoly Smoke: why Quentin Letts fears for the parish church
Published Aug 23, 2026
Holy SmokeIs the Church of England slowly abolishing the parish priest? A new model of ‘oversight ministry’ promises team-based leadership and a greater role for lay volunteers – but critics fear it will leave priests increasingly invisible in the communities they serve. Meanwhile, those volunteers face an expanding regime of training, safeguarding requirements and diocesan bureaucracy. This week on Holy Smoke, Damian Thompson is joined by Daily Mail sketchwriter Quentin Letts, who has written a provocati
- StandardSummaries onlyCoffee House Shots: Andy's report card – with Baroness Debbonaire
Published Aug 21, 2026
Baroness DebbonaireOne month on from Andy Burnham entering Downing Street and a lot has changed at the top of government. Starmer's old guard have been reshuffled or replaced, and Burnham's government have announced dozens of new projects, but the big challenges that he faces are largely the same. Noa Hoffman is joined by Baroness Thangam Debbonaire, the former shadow culture secretary, to review Andy's report card.Produced by Henry Lloyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Edition: has the West lost the will to defend itself? | with Maureen Lipman
Published Aug 20, 2026
Maureen LipmanWilliam Moore is joined by The Spectator’s political editor Tim Shipman, commissioning editor Tali Fraser and actress Maureen Lipman.This week: has the West lost the will to defend itself? The panel discuss the threats posed by China, Russia and Islamism – and whether Western societies have become too reluctant to defend their own values. Maureen also warns about the rise of antisemitism, arguing that universities are ‘grooming’ a generation of anti-Semites.Also: Tali reports back from a screeni
- StandardSummaries onlyReality check: the truth about Britain’s water crisis – and what it means for net zero
Published Aug 19, 2026
Britain is in the grip of another hot, dry summer, with hosepipe bans in force and fears growing about the country’s water supply. But are we really running out of water?Michael Simmons is joined by Reality Check reporter John Power to explain what is actually behind the shortages, whether Britain needs more reservoirs and why nationalising the water companies may not be the answer. They also ask what the drought tells us about the future of net zero – and how Britain should adapt to a changing
- StandardSummaries onlyCoffee House Shots: Reform suspends Tim Montgomerie after Spectator interview
Published Aug 18, 2026
Coffee House ShotsAfter saying that Zia Yusuf needed to 'become a team player' in an interview on Coffee House yesterday, Reform UK responded, and decided that they would rather Tim Montgomerie were not in their squad at all. After the story broke this morning that Montgomerie had his membership of the party suspended, Noa Hoffman is joined by Tim Shipman and James Heale to react to the latest developments on the right of British politics.Produced by Henry Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf
- StandardSummaries onlyHoly Smoke: wandering bishops, rival popes & schismatic churches
Published Aug 18, 2026
Holy SmokeWhat happens when a bishop breaks with Rome but still claims apostolic succession? Damian Thompson is joined by historian Magnus Lundberg, Professor of Church and Mission History at Uppsala University in Sweden, to explore the strange world of ‘wandering bishops’, rival popes and tiny schismatic churches. They trace the tangled web of consecrations that have produced thousands of bishops outside the authority of Rome, and explore the grandiose titles and ceremonies of these independent bishops.
- StandardSummaries onlyReality Check: Britain's AI problem isn't data centres – it's electricity
Published Aug 17, 2026
Reality CheckBritain wants to become an AI superpower – but does it have the electricity to power one? Data centres underpin everything from online banking and streaming to artificial intelligence, and demand for them is exploding. The government has designated them as critical national infrastructure and is promising billions of pounds of investment, but Britain’s ageing grid is already struggling to keep up.Michael Simmons asks whether the UK can build enough power stations, transmission lines and substati
- StandardSummaries onlySpectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman, Arabella Byrne, Alex Burghart & Lloyd Evans
Published Aug 16, 2026
Spectator Out LoudOn this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman argues that politicians’ contempt for the press is really contempt for the public; Arabella Byrne asks if you have old money face; Alex Burghart says that Harold Godwinson has a touch of the Viking about him, as he reviews Harold: Warrior King by Tom Licence; and finally, Lloyd Evans reads his confessions of a dog hater. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- StandardSummaries onlyCoffee House Shots: has Zack Polanski proven more continuity than change?
Published Aug 15, 2026
Coffee House ShotsAlmost one year on from his election as leader of the Green Party, has Zack Polanski broadened its appeal? Communications strategist and Green Party insider Russell Warfield joins Noa Hoffman to discuss his new book The Green Socialist: Zack Polanski & the Battle for Britain’s Future. In it, Warfield makes the argument that Polanski marks more of a continuum for the modern British Green Party – a natural next step for a party seeking to broaden its appeal, rather than the more radical change can
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Edition: Jason Arday and the death of Britain’s universities
Published Aug 13, 2026
The EditionWilliam Moore is joined by The Spectator’s associate editor Toby Young, commissioning editor Lara Brown and newsletter editor and restaurant critic Angus Colwell.This week: What has gone wrong with British universities? Lara unpacks the wider academic crisis in the wake of the Jason Arday scandal, from ‘surviving the apocalypse’ courses at Warwick to maths departments promising to ‘decolonise’ the subject. Has the sector lost its nerve?Also: Balding. Toby explains why he’s trying to talk his thr
- StandardSummaries onlyAmericano: is America ready for the new realities of war?
Published Aug 12, 2026
In this episode of Americano, Freddy Gray speaks to physicist and Spectator contributor Steve Hsu about the uncomfortable realities of modern warfare. Why are cheap missiles and drones so difficult and expensive to intercept? Freddy asks Steve about just how depleted are America’s missile stocks, and can the West rebuild its defence industry quickly enough?They also discuss China’s dominance of critical supply chains, the vulnerability of energy infrastructure and shipping, the strategic threat
- StandardSummaries onlyQuite right!: Simon Sebag Montefiore explains the making of the modern Middle East
Published Aug 11, 2026
This week, Michael Gove is joined by historian Simon Sebag Montefiore to discuss the rulers, revolutionaries and nation builders who shaped one of the world’s most turbulent regions.From Ibn Saud’s dramatic conquest of Riyadh and Atatürk’s creation of modern Turkey to Ben-Gurion, Reza Shah and Nasser, Simon explores the extraordinary personalities who built states from the ruins of empire. What made these leaders so successful – and why did so many of their projects end in dictatorship, war or c
- StandardSummaries onlyCoffee House Shots: Clacton by-election lookahead
Published Aug 11, 2026
Coffee House ShotsNigel Farage is heading back to the polls in Clacton after resigning to trigger a by-election over questions surrounding his £5 million gift. With the main parties refusing to stand, Farage looks set for a comfortable victory – but will his popularity in Clacton translate to the rest of the country? And have voters simply stopped caring about the controversy?Meanwhile, Andy Burnham is facing the first major tests of his premiership. As questions mount over how he will pay for his ambitious domes
- StandardSummaries onlyHoly Smoke: how Project Spire will hurt England's parishes
Published Aug 9, 2026
Holy SmokeIn this week’s episode of Holy Smoke, Damian Thompson is joined by Madeline Grant to dive into the contentious topic of Project Spire, the Church of England's ambitious plan to allocate £100 million in reparations for its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. They will shed light on the Church's insistence on proceeding with this plan despite significant opposition from both the public and its own parishioners.Produced by Henry Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform
- StandardSummaries onlyRod Out Loud: Toby Young, Tim Luckhurst, Lara Prendergast, Mary Wakefield & Freddy Gray
Published Aug 8, 2026
Rod Out LoudThis week’s episode of Spectator Out Loud is a tribute to Rod Liddle, The Spectator's Associate editor, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 66. In this special episode, we hear from those who knew him best as they share some of their favourite columns written by Rod over the years. Produced and presented by Henry Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- StandardSummaries onlyReality Check: why Labour doesn’t understand business
Published Aug 8, 2026
Reality CheckOliver Shah is a former journalist at The Sunday Times and now runs Newcome Advisory. On this week's Reality Check Oliver and Michael discuss why Labour can't build trust with the businesses, how the National Insurance tax hike was the poison pill for the private sector and whether it is still worth being an entrepreneur in Britain today.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
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Edition: the real Rod Liddle – with Michael Gove, Toby Young & Freddy Gray
Published Aug 7, 2026
The EditionFor this week’s Edition, Lara Prendergast is joined by The Spectator’s editor Michael Gove, deputy editor Freddy Gray, and associate editor Toby Young.This week the episode and magazine is dedicated to our beloved Rod Liddle, who died aged 66. The Spectator journalists reflect on some of their favourite memories of Rod, what his legacy will be and how is writing, wit and intelligence will be irreplaceable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- StandardSummaries onlyAmericano: is China winning the AI race now?
Published Aug 6, 2026
Gus Carter is joined by Geoffrey Cain to speak about the ongoing developments in Chinese AI, and how it stacks up to its American rivals. Gus and Geoffrey talk about the emergence of Kimi K3, and how Chinese models will become inherently more competitive to global audiences, not just those the United States. They also discuss the OpenAI model that went rogue, and how other US models refused to undertake research to prevent the same from happening again.Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in go
- StandardSummaries onlySpectator Out Loud: Lara Brown, Patrick Kidd, Tali Fraser & Ella Veakins
Published Aug 4, 2026
Spectator Out LoudOn this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Lara Brown explains the ongoing dissolution of the British private education sector; Patrick Kidd asks whether sporting curses are actually possible, or simply just a fiction; Tali Fraser goes to a death cafe to explore the world of positivity after death; and finally, Ella Veakins outlines why we should all stand in opposition the the potted plastic plant. Produced and presented by Henry Lloyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- StandardSummaries onlyReality Check: could women be the solution to Britain's prison problem?
Published Aug 4, 2026
Reality CheckAmid rising backlash over the early prisoner release scheme, Kemi Badenoch has called for emergency legislation to stop the plans going ahead. The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has already halted the plans until a review has been conducted. The situation with prison overcrowding is a ticking timebomb – what options are available? To alleviate the risk, some suggest women should be prioritised as candidates for early release, and women's prisons repurposed. To discuss, Michael Simmons is joined
- StandardSummaries onlyAmericano: How will Team Burnham deal with Team Trump?
Published Aug 3, 2026
Freddy Gray is joined by Ben Judah, a former Labour Special Advisor to discuss the new government's outlook on foreign affairs. Freddy and Ben examine how Andy Burnham's appointment of Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary will shape the way Britain builds on its special relationship with the United States and the Trump Whitehouse. They also discuss the implications of Miliband's past positions on net zero and fresh drilling for oil and gas, and how that might come to affect his personal relationship
- StandardSummaries onlyCoffee House Shots: Britain's First Catholic PM? — with Patrick Maguire
Published Aug 2, 2026
Patrick MaguireIs Andy Burnham the country's first catholic Prime Minister, and how might it influence his leadership? Despite his faith drawing him to Labour, he doesn’t attend mass and rarely emphasises his religion publicly. To unpack his faith and where it might take him, Lara Brown, The Spectator's commissioning editor, is joined by the chief political commentator at The Times, Patrick Maguire, and The Spectator's religion editor, Damian Thompson.Produced by Henry Lloyd and Ed Parker. Hosted on Acast. See
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Edition: Rory Sutherland on private schools, early election & death doulas
Published Aug 1, 2026
The EditionFor this week’s Edition, Lara Prendergast is joined by The Spectator’s columnist Rory Sutherland, political editor Tim Shipman and drinks editor Jonathan Ray.This week: What has been the damage of Labour’s punitive war on private education? Rory questions whether the sector had helped itself in the years prior, but did the policy itself ever represent more than ‘class warfare?’ Tim explores the vigour to which the (now former) Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson embraced that label, whilst Jo
- StandardSummaries onlyReality Check: how to reform social care – with David Goodhart
Published Jul 31, 2026
David GoodhartAndy Burnham has launched a major push to overhaul adult social care in England, seeking cross-party consensus for a new National Care Service. He has refused to rule out tax rises to fund the reforms. Michael Simmons speaks to the author and journalist David Goodhart about why social care should be reframed as prevention, whether salaries should be increased in social care and why the public isn't as worried as politicians tend to panic about.This episode is brought to you by Alliance Witan inv
- StandardSummaries onlyAmericano: Is the radical left taking over the Democratic Party?
Published Jul 30, 2026
Freddy Gray is joined by David Weigel to discuss the Democratic primary battle taking place in Michigan between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens. Freddy and David examine how the contest has become a proxy for the wider battle over the Democratic Party's future, pitting the Obama-era moderates against the ascendant progressive left. They discuss how Israel has emerged as one of the campaign's defining fault lines, how the issue of affordability has been used for different political ends, and wha
- StandardSummaries onlyQuite right!: Katharine Birbalsingh interview
Published Jul 28, 2026
Katharine Birbalsingh is the founder and headmistress of Michaela Community School in Wembley, and has been dubbed Britain’s strictest headteacher. Under her leadership, Michaela has become one of the country’s most successful state schools, while openly challenging the progressive orthodoxies of the British education system.On Quite right!, Katharine argues that ethnic-minority pupils do not need to see themselves reflected in every aspect of a culture to feel that they belong – and that sugges
- StandardSummaries onlyReality Check: Britain's homelessness & why Burnham won't fix it
Published Jul 28, 2026
Reality CheckAndy 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 inve
- StandardSummaries onlySpectator Out Loud: James Heale, Iona Bain, Tali Fraser & James Phillips
Published Jul 26, 2026
Spectator Out LoudOn 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
- StandardSummaries onlyAmericano: how Steve Hilton plans to win California
Published Jul 26, 2026
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.
- StandardSummaries onlyCoffee House Shots: Nick Clegg's coalition regrets
Published Jul 24, 2026
Coffee House ShotsTim Shipman is joined by Sir Nick Clegg, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, as part of The Spectator's new event series, Tim Shipman Meets the Party Leaders. Tim challenges Sir Nick on the decisions that defined his political career, from his passionate support for Europe to the failed referendum on an alternative voting system, and those famous coalition years. Reflecting on his record, Sir Nick offers a candid assessment of the decline of the two-party system