Britain
Britain's abstract painters deserve more attention than America's abstract expressionists
Fifteen million pounds and a hefty slice of architectural vision have transformed the Whitworth from a fusty Victorian art temple…
Islamic State is making its threats a reality
Isis could be on the brink of creating a terrifying new world order
Will Spain learn from Scotland in the battle for Catalan separatism?
One of the unforeseen consequences of the reunification of Europe after the Cold War has been a resurgence of independence…
Robert Peston has got it all wrong about ties —viewers want broadcasters to look humbly respectful
When Robert Peston, the economics editor of the BBC, interviewed George Osborne on television in an open-necked shirt with collar…
Is medical screening bad for your health? Michael Mosley dons a pair of ‘dignity shorts’ to find out
When the link between tobacco and lung cancer was first established in the early 1950s, one obvious question arose: should…
Fraser Nelson’s Diary: Spotting the miscreants at Jeremy Clarke’s drunkenness-themed book launch
‘Hello. I’m lesbian threesome,’ the young lady tells Taki. ‘And I’m Mongolian rampage,’ says the young man beside her. We’re…
Grayson Perry - heir to Lewis Caroll and William Blake
At the Turner Prize dinner of 2003, as the winner, Grayson Perry, took a photo call with his family wearing…
Let Greece leave the eurozone
To listen to Greek government ministers addressing the outside world during their breaks from negotiations with eurozone leaders this week,…
An alternative map of Britain: caves, canals, megaliths and ley lines
Picture the map of Britain. Its strangely cadaverous shape, blobs of population and routes between them seem as familiar as…
Patriotism isn’t uncivilised - it’s what makes civilisation possible
Is it racist to be patriotic? Is patriotism, by definition, small-minded and exclusive? When you strip away the onion layers…
Why I’ve joined Lebanon’s exodus
The long shadow of the Islamic State means that many Christians are packing up and leaving Lebanon
One week to save Britain
Next week, the most important vote in recent British history will be held. Indeed, it may well turn out to…
The real Dad’s Army was no joke
Dad’s Army, the sitcom to end all sitcoms, portrayed the Home Guard as often doddery veterans. In one episode, Private…
Spectator letters: A surgeon writes on assisted dying, and an estate agent answers Harry Mount
Real help for those in pain Sir: The fickleness of existence is exemplified by the fact that being Tony Blair’s…
Brussels will treat Britain as Macedonia treated Sparta
The EU is a federation of states (Latin foedus, ‘treaty’, from the same root as fides, ‘trust, good faith’). But…
What Britain will lose if Scotland goes
If Scotland votes for independence, Britain will be left weaker than anyone yet realises
The Spectator's Notes: Max Clifford's conviction vindicates juries. But so did the acquittals
The conviction of Max Clifford for indecent assaults feels like a vindication of the jury system, as did the acquittal…
Putin is making the West's Cold Warriors look like fools
Russia is making the West look posturing, weak and divided
Why Britain’s economy will overtake Germany’s
Why the UK economy will one day overtake Germany
The People’s Songs, by Stuart Maconie - a review
For Stuart Maconie fans, this book might sound as if it’ll be his masterpiece. In his earlier memoirs and travelogues,…
