The Spectator

The Spectator was established in 1828, and is the oldest continuously published magazine in the English language. The Spectator’s taste for controversy, however, remains undiminished. There is no party line to which The Spectator’s writers are bound - originality of thought and elegance of expression are the sole editorial constraints.

The trial issue contains a “Thought Crime Special” with articles from Melanie Phillips, “I think, therefore I’m guilty”; Christopher Booker writes about “Scientists in hiding; the demonisation of academics who question the consensus”; Alan Rusbridger explores “How to stifle the press” and how England’s libel laws make it easy.

UK politics come under scrutiny from James Forsyth, Brendan O’Neill ponders if teenagers could ever be “Drunk and orderly”; while Tom Hollander writes his diary and James Delingpole says eat local organic food if you like, but don’t kid yourself that it’s ‘green’. 

The Spectator’s regular arts coverage includes books, theatre, opera, cinema and exhibitions.

Javier Milei: ‘The public sector is the illness.’ Kate Andrews flies to Buenos Aires to speak to Argentina’s President Javier Milei about his plans to dismantle the state. His warning to the UK and the West on increasing state spending: ‘We are proof-positive that that doesn’t work… We have 123 years of history that that doesn’t work, that the state is not the solution, that the state is the problem... the public sector is the illness. If a body has something that is harming it – a virus, a germ, a bug, a parasite – you extract the parasite, you don’t feed [it]. If you feed the parasite you are going to end up poorly off... in our experience it’s clear, we have got the state out of the way, things are working better.’ On the Falkland Islands: ‘The people of Argentina elected me as President. In that context I recognise the Malvinas Islands as Argentine, and I will make every diplomatic effort to recover them and that’s part of my policy… you may like my proposals or not, but you won’t say that I’m not consistent.’ On Donald Trump: ‘He understands who the enemy is. He understands that wokeism is the enemy, he understands that the enemy is socialism, that the enemy is the state... I believe all the accusations levelled against him about the tariffs vis-a-vis China are wrong, they’re incorrect.’ On British culture: ‘One thing that brought me very close to British culture was Lord Byron, especially when I read “Don Juan”. I thought it was amazing. In fact, when I bought the book, I had it in English and in Spanish, and when I read it in English I really enjoyed it much better than in Spanish. Of course, Shakespeare also brought me close to British culture.’ On China: ‘China is a natural partner for us. And let me tell you something, I was pleasantly surprised by the way that China works with other countries, in that it’s a very friendly partner... it is a trading partner that does not interfere, that causes no nuisance.’

 

Kemi Badenoch: ‘I will die protecting this country.’ Katy Balls and Michael Gove speak to the new Conservative party leader about red meat, Reform and the dark undertones of Love Actually. On policy: ‘People keep saying “Where are your policies?”. I feel like I am going to be opening a restaurant in four years’ time and people are demanding to see the menu right now... People want instant gratification.’ On wokeism: ‘I use a phrase “liberalism has been hacked” – and when I say liberalism, I mean classical liberalism not the American hard-left liberalism. Many of the issues that people call “woke” – it’s really socialism and communism wearing the cute outfits of the civil rights movement.’ On her Yoruba heritage: ‘Somebody once told me when I was very young that my surname [Adegoke] was a name for people who were the warriors. They protected the crown and that’s what I see myself as doing. I am here to protect and I will die protecting this country because I know what’s out there.’ On down time: ‘What’s decompressing, what’s that? What’s a lunch break? Lunch is for wimps. I have food brought in and I work and eat at the same time. There’s no time... Sometimes I will get a steak... I’m not a sandwich person. I don’t think sandwiches are a real food, it’s what you have for breakfast.  I will not touch bread if it’s moist.’ On Christmas: ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas are 25 December to 6 January. It’s fine if you want to start early, like on 1 December, but before that I think that people should be fined for putting up decorations and things. That’s my ban!’

 

Stephen Fry: Nigella Lawson’s Freudian slip. Stephen Fry recalls the time he ordered a vodka and soda water from a Qantas steward on a plane: ‘“One skinny bitch coming up.” I raised my eyebrows. “Well, that’s what they call it on the catwalk, darling,” he explained. “Your maximum alcoholic bang for your minimum calorific buck.” Back in London, I met Nigella Lawson for a drink and, thinking to try out my newfound cocktail knowledge, I ordered a skinny bitch. The barman prepared one, unfazed. Nigella was pleased to know such a simple drink had a name. Three weeks later, I bumped into her at a party. “I made such a fool of myself,” she said. “I went into a bar and ordered a skinny slut.” I was kind enough to make no reference to Sigmund Freud.’

 

Maureen Lipman: notes from a national treasure. ‘I’ve started rehearsals for the pantomime Beauty and the Beast at Richmond Theatre,’ writes Maureen Lipman. ‘Two shows a day and just 13 days to learn everything, with songs, tongue-tying shticks, ghouls, hairy beasts and all. It’s like weekly rep with falsies and fart jokes. At the first rehearsal I confess I felt a little out of place in the cast of ridiculously bright-eyed young things with shiny cheeks and Lycra shorts. The director asked us all to introduce ourselves in one sentence. “I’m Maureen Lipman,” I muttered, “and I’m a fucking National Treasure.”’

 

Behind the scenes of Meet the Rees-Moggs. ‘Much filmed gets omitted,’ writes reality TV’s newest star, Helena Rees-Mogg. ‘In the drum-kit shop for Sixtus’s birthday, the cameraman Marcus asked about a Rees-Mogg band and what it would be called. Theoretically possible: Sixtus on drums, obviously; Alfred, trumpet; Thomas, electric guitar; Peter, keyboard; me, vocals. Jacob says he would be our Prince Rupert Loewenstein (the Rolling Stones’ financial manager). I’m not sure Moggadeath has a future though.’