The UK’s best beaches – according to Spectator writers
Tom HollandTrevone, Cornwall Pretty much every summer, my family and my cousins head for a farm in north Cornwall,…
to 2417: Six nations
The unclued lights are LAND OF (25A): MILK AND HONEY (11A), CAKES (12A), HOPE AND GLORY (39A), ENCHANTMENT (7D), MY…
If politicians are still in denial about Boris’s Brexit, the currency markets are not
In his first week as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has shocked those who had assumed that he is a joker…
Portrait of the week: Britain meets its new cabinet
Home The Conservatives’ poll ratings went up and the pound went down after a week of the prime ministership of…
The need for a poll of the people
The Need For A Poll Of The People, 2 August 1919: ‘It is not to be wondered at that during…
Hot topic: How many of us own fans?
Growing fanbase A photograph of the Queen meeting Boris Johnson revealed that she uses a Dyson electric fan. How many…
to 2416: Silence
Each unclued light contains a SILENT letter (with 11 containing two). First prize P.L. Macdougall, London SW6Runners-up Sir Graeme Davies,…
If Boris achieves a deal with the EU, he will be unassailable
It’s hard to think of a prime minister who has reached No. 10 with lower expectations. Boris Johnson has been…
Portrait of the week: The top job for Boris, gifts for Theresa and Carl Beech’s conviction
Home Boris Johnson became Prime Minister after being elected the leader of the Conservative party by its members, with 92,153…
What kills more people in the UK: hot or cold weather?
Losing confidence The government may soon face a vote of no confidence, the second this year. How often do these…
A way with words
From ‘Low talk’ by John Daniel, 19 July 1963: Everybody has heard of Dr Johnson’s dictionary, which is now not…
Letters: why Rose Hudson-Wilkin is the right choice for Bishop of Dover
Rose is the right choice Sir: Every Wednesday for the past nine years, it has been my privilege to attend…
to 2415: The Limit
The word was ‘pale’, suggested by PEELIE-WALLY (1A) and the title, which, with changes to its FIRST VOWEL (7D/33), becomes…
It’s not just Scotland’s drugs shame – it’s Britain’s
Twenty years ago, the Scottish parliament was reconvened after a lapse of almost three centuries. The logic for devolution was…
Portrait of the week: Theresa May’s new role, England’s cricket victory and the world’s steepest street
Home In a televised debate between the rivals for election by members of the Conservative party as their new leader…
When will man make it to Mars?
Mars missions When will there be a manned Mars mission? — As early as 1962, Nasa studied the practicalities of…
Letters: Melissa Kite saved my life – twice
Leave we must Sir: It is interesting that as the Brexit process drags, people become more distanced from what was…
to 2414: Matchplay
Conrad HILTON (2), Michael WILDING (37), Mike TODD (24), Eddie FISHER (3), Richard BURTON (30), John WARNER (31) and Larry…
The Tories can profit from Labour panic
In some alternative universe the Labour party, as under Tony Blair in the mid 1990s, is busily preparing for government,…
Portrait of the week: A resignation in Washington, Labour departures and a plague of toxic caterpillars
Home Sir Kim Darroch resigned as British ambassador to Washington after the Mail on Sunday published disobliging emails he had…
An absurd craze
From ‘Keeping fat’ by Geoffrey Wheatcroft, 7 October 1978: The running craze is a symptom of our deplorable age, in…
Is women’s football really that popular?
Ode to all sorts Brexit party MPs were likened to Nazis for turning their backs on a recital of ‘Ode to…
to 2413: Sign here please
The unclued lights are EPISCOPAL SIGNATURES First prize Jason James, CambridgeRunners-up K.M. Robb, Borrowstounness, West Lothian; McNeill, Belfast Got something…
Australian Letters
Turnbull and the Prez Sir: Peta Credlin (‘Turnbull, the G-G, Porter and Dutton’, July 6) writes an incisive article on…
Full transcript: Boris Johnson grilled by Andrew Neil
AN: Boris Johnson, we’re going to talk a lot about policy, but I first want to talk about you, because…
