The Week
Joan Collins’s diary: I’m in deep shock at Jackie’s death, but life goes on
I had only experienced great loss when my mother died. It was desperately harrowing, but not as harrowing as the…
Justin Trudeau and four more hereditary prime ministers
Family business Justin Trudeau, son of Pierre Trudeau, was elected to his father’s old job as Prime Minister of Canada.…
How ancient Athens handled immigrants
Among all the arguments about how many non-EU immigrants we should let in, campaigners are proposing a scheme for private…
When George V fell on the Western Front
From ‘News of the week’, The Spectator, 6 November 1915: We greatly regret to record a serious accident to the King.…
Letters: Nicholas Serota answers Toby Young on arts teaching
The power of creativity Sir: A rounded education should encourage creativity as well as maths, English, science and history if…
Hot air summit
The delegates who will gather for the star-studded Paris climate summit include celebrities, presidents and perhaps even the Pope. Among…
How ancient Athens handled immigrants
Among all the arguments about how many non-EU immigrants we should let in, campaigners are proposing a scheme for private…
Barometer
Family business Justin Trudeau, son of Pierre Trudeau, was elected to his father’s old job as Prime Minister of Canada.…
Diary
I had only experienced great loss when my mother died. It was desperately harrowing, but not as harrowing as the…
The fall of a king
From ‘News of the week’, The Spectator, 6 November 1915: We greatly regret to record a serious accident to the King.…
Portrait of the week
Home The all-party Foreign Affairs Committee urged David Cameron, the Prime Minister, not to press ahead with a Commons vote…
Australian Letters
Foraging natives Sir: Simon Collins is right about England supporters’ world class barracking [Spectator. Oct 24th]. Having wasted my youth…
The Australian example
For many years, Australia has been turning away boats filled with migrants. From a remove, this looks cold–hearted — a…
The emperors of Brussels
As both sides of the great EU debate line up their forces, it is worth reflecting on the implications of…
Barometer
Killer facts The World Health Organisation added processed meats to its list of ‘known’ carcinogens. A few of the other…
Diary
I’m counting ‘Wows!’ Suddenly everyone is using this irritating expletive expressing incredulity, amazement and nothing at all. I’ve heard it…
From the archives: W.G. Grace’s legacy on the Western Front
From ‘W.G.’, The Spectator, 30 October 1915: The late Dr. W.G. Grace had become in his lifetime a legend, and he is…
Portrait of the week
Home After it was twice defeated in the Lords on its plans to reduce working tax credits, the government announced…
Tony Abbott is right about immigration - and turning back boats
For many years, Australia has been turning away boats filled with migrants. From a remove, this looks cold–hearted — a…
Portrait of the week
Home After it was twice defeated in the Lords on its plans to reduce working tax credits, the government announced…
Barry Humphries’s diary: My war with ‘Wow!’
I’m counting ‘Wows!’ Suddenly everyone is using this irritating expletive expressing incredulity, amazement and nothing at all. I’ve heard it…
Make-up, chocolates, deodorant and sand: two weeks in cancer scares
Killer facts The World Health Organisation added processed meats to its list of ‘known’ carcinogens. A few of the other…
The fall of the Roman republic – and the rise of the EU
As both sides of the great EU debate line up their forces, it is worth reflecting on the implications of…
From the archives: W.G. Grace’s legacy on the Western Front
From ‘W.G.’, The Spectator, 30 October 1915: The late Dr. W.G. Grace had become in his lifetime a legend, and he is…
Tearing tax credits away from the working poor is a battle of choice, not necessity
Just over 30 years ago, Margaret Thatcher’s government decided to look at local government finance. A young aide, John Redwood,…
