The Spectator Podcast

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Catherine Ostler, the former editor of Tatler, ponders the drama of the courtroom as she travels around the Kent countryside; following the news of the ceasefire with Iran, Paul Wood says that no-one knows what Trump will do next; John Power encourages Gen Z men to go hiking; and finally, astrophysicist David Whitehouse explores the dark side of the moon. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has Britain become a freeloader’s paradise, asks the Spectator’s economics editor Michael Simmons in our cover piece this week. Michael analyses ‘the benefits of benefits’, at a time when Britain’s welfare bill is burgeoning and most households are struggling with cost of living. For example, while a family of four can expect to pay £111 to visit the Tower of London, that is just £4 total on Universal Credit (UC), and for London Zoo it is £108 compared to £26. Michael is not arguing against the idea of helping those in need, but pointing out that – as the benefits bill continues to increase – this is another case of governments prioritising ‘welfare over work’ and ultimately squeezing the working poor. And the problem is set to continue: ‘we are nowhere near peak welfare’ Michael warns. Is the system fair?On this week’s Edition, Lara Prendergast is joined by Michael, assistant content editor William Atkinson and political commentator – and founder of Conservative Home, Tim Montgomerie. William argues that suc

The past year has seen a deluge of reports and investigations about young people finding faith and flocking back to Christianity – including here on Holy Smoke. All roads lead back to a Bible Society study which claimed that – backed up by polling from YouGov – a ‘quiet revival’ was underway. Yet, one year on, YouGov has pulled the survey due to data errors and the Bible Society was forced to apologise. While the credibility of the survey is undermined, this doesn’t necessarily chime with anecdotal evidence from some quarters. So what is the truth behind the ‘quiet revival’? Justin Brierley, broadcaster and founder of Think Faith, joins Damian Thompson to provide his more optimistic assessment: that while the story might not be what it seemed, that doesn’t mean that nothing is happening. Could the decline in religious adherence seen over the past few decades be slowing? And what would his advice be to struggling parish churches, and to the new Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally?Produc

Opinion polls consistently show Keir Starmer as one of the most unpopular Prime Ministers in history. His critics point to inertia and a lack of vision, while his supporters argue that media spin is harming the image of a decent man. Less than two years on from Labour's landslide victory, broadcaster Lewis Goodall joins James Heale to try to answer the question 'where did it all go wrong?' – a subject which Lewis explores in a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary. Lewis explains the factors at play, from Starmer's personality and Labour party politics to the effect that the Conservative Party's implosion had on Labour's preparedness for government. Is Starmer a politician from a bygone era? Or, following on from a run of unpopular Tory leaders, is modern British politics simply ungovernable?Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Megan McElroy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artemis II departed on the most ambitious mission yet, something which has not been tried for 50 years. Four astronauts were launched into the air on a ten day expedition with the aim of travelling 5000 miles past the far side of the moon. Natasha Feroze is joined by David Whitehouse, astroscientist and writer to discuss the difficulty involved in the mission, how little we think about the significance of the moon and whether the US will beat China in its quest to have footsteps back on the moon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Lisa Haseldine reports from Svalbard; Matthew Parris reflects on the Iran crisis during Holy Week; Damian Thompson assesses how Pope Leo XIV is quietly reshaping the Vatican; Peter Pomerantsev reviews Jack Watling’s Statecraft; Chas Newkey-Burden provides his notes on marathons; and finally, from Provence, Catriona Olding reflects on comfort and companionship. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Advertising guru – and the Spectator's Wiki Man – Rory Sutherland joins Damian Thompson to try and tackle the question 'how would you sell Christianity – today?' If religions have previously thrived by providing a form of social network and an 'elevated trust mechanism', perhaps there ways in which they can adapt for modern society – especially as many people appear to be turning away from conspicuous consumption and searching for meaning. In this Easter special they ponder: are religious people less likely to be alcoholics? Does driving make you a better person? And are Churches today akin to the carrier pigeon of yesteryear?Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should we defund – or defend – the BBC?Live from London, the Spectator hosted a debate on the future of this iconic British institution, compered by associate editor Isabel Hardman. The Spectator’s chairman – and long-time Beeb-critic – Charles Moore, and the Telegraph’s Allison Pearson went head-to-head with the Spectator’s editor – and former Tory cabinet minister – Michael Gove and the former BBC correspondent – now-podcaster with The Newsagents – Jon Sopel. Defund: do you agree with Lord Moore that the BBC is constantly breaking impartiality? That this issue ‘more profound than just about balance’ – that this is a systemic issue which hampers the British public’s opportunity to learn. And for Allison Pearson, the BBC that the country feels 'sentimental attachment to’ is gone, replaced today by a corporation that is ‘institutionally antisemitic’.Defend: Jon Sopel argues that the soft power of the BBC cannot be underestimated and, while guilty of many mistakes, destro

Is British politics becoming more religious? Madeline Grant certainly thinks so, arguing – in the Spectator’s cover article – that the next election could be the most religious for decades. Issues like immigration and Islam, assisted dying – and even the establishment of the Church of England are likely to play a role. The current Labour government's ‘most telling divide’, Madeline writes, is between MPs – like Shabana Mahmood and Wes Streeting – who understand religion – and 'those who don’t’. For the Edition’s Easter special, host Lara Prendergast is joined by vicar – and Madeline’s husband – The Rev’d Fergus Butler-Gallie, former Supreme Court justice Jonathan Sumption and the historian and broadcaster Tom Holland. They discuss why faith might be re-emerging as a live political issue: from searching for meaning in modern life, to a reaction against an ‘anaemic form of post-Christianity’ that has dominated since the 1960s. They also ponder whether the public has always sou

Sam Leith's guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is Yann Martel, talking about coming late to Homer, definitely not being influenced by Pale Fire, why he can’t resist a silly animal, and his new book Son of Nobody. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One month on from calling for Keir Starmer's resignation, Anas Sarwar – the leader of Scottish Labour – joins Michael Gove to reflect on British politics ahead of the May elections. Does he stand by his call for the Prime Minister to go? And, having spoken to Wes Streeting the weekend before, what advice did his close ally give? The May local and regional elections promise to be the 'fiercest battle' for Scotland's future. Yet after over two decades in power, what does he make of polling that suggests the SNP will win – again? Is Reform posing a threat to Labour? And how can Scottish Labour offer a realistic alternative? Plus: which Westminster cabinet minister would he like to see campaign in Scotland – and who are his political heroes?Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steven Crowder, host of Louder with Crowder joins Freddy Gray to discuss the warring factions in the podcast world, worsened since Charlie Kirk's assassination; the global leftwing alliance promoting communism in Cuba, whether Trump was wrong to attack Iran & why the Mark Carney kowtowed to China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: looking back to 1973, Tim Shipman wonders how bad the energy crisis could get; Ben Clerkin interviews Steve Hilton, the former Cameron aide running to be California’s next governor; Maxwell Marlow explains how to solve the student debt crisis; and finally, ‘disorientatingly enjoyable’ is the verdict of Hermione Eyre as she reviews David Hockney at the Serpentine. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dame Sarah Mullally has been enthroned as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the first female head of the Church of England. Prince William attended as the representative of the Monarch and – as heir to the throne – the person who will one day become Supreme Governor of the Church. His attendance came a few days after an interview appeared in The Times where Prince William seemed to be pressing 'reset' on his relationship with faith. Friend of Holy Smoke, The Daily Mail’s Robert Hardman – author of the forthcoming biography Elizabeth II. In Private. In Public. The Inside Story – and Anglican priest The Rev'd Fergus Butler-Gallie, join Damian Thompson to discuss the Prince's faith, what the enthronement ceremony tells us about the current state of the Church of England – and what we can expect from Mullally's era.Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Reform chips away at the Tory vote, the Conservatives face a stark choice – join forces with Nigel Farage or fight alone. James Heale, The Spectator’s deputy political editor, will be joined by Conservative peer Daniel Hannan, journalist and politician Paul Goodman, shadow cabinet member Victoria Atkins, and former Brexit secretary David Davis as they lock horns over what a Conservative–Reform pact might look like – and whether it should happen at all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is undoubtable that – under the leadership of Zack Polanski – the Green Party have soared to new heights. Having won their first parliamentary by-election in February, polls consistently show them as a force to be reckoned with on the left of British politics. Much of their success has come at the detriment of Labour, with disgruntled further-left progressive voices opting to vote Green. This, though, is a brand of eco-populism that comes at the expense of the Green Party's roots, or so argues Angus Colwell in the Spectator's cover article this week. Have the Greens ceded the issue of the environment? For this week's Edition, host William Moore is joined by Angus, the Spectator's daily newsletter editor, Life columnist Rachel Johnson and the politics editor of Politics Joe, Ava-Santina Evans. From Nato to nuclear energy, Gaza to trans rights, they discuss whether the Green Party are now guilty of the 'omnicause'; how knowing a person's stance on one subject shouldn't mean their stance on other subjects is

My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is Stefan Fatsis, whose classic Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble is 25 years old this year. Stefan tells me how a journalistic project turned into a quarter-century obsession, how dramatically tournament Scrabble differs from the living-room game, why we’re still having the same arguments over word lists … and how it has become a family story for him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Search ‘Quite right!’ wherever you are listening now, to hear the episode in full. This week: the row over political Islam and a bigger question beneath it. After Nick Timothy’s comments on public prayer in Trafalgar Square caused a political firestorm, Michael and Madeline ask whether Britain can still have an honest debate about faith, free speech and the public square. Where is the line between coexistence and an assertion of dominance – and are politicians too afraid to confront it?Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated early in the Iran conflict, and during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, it was celebrated by the Trump administration – who saw this as a large step towards regime change in Iran. Yet, for Khamenei's supporters, his death secured him a place amongst other celebrated Iranian martyrs. Shia Islam has a long tradition of martyrdom, something under-appreciated in the global West, and which goes some way to explaining why the current regime has survived in the face of external threats. Yet, as Dr Eric Lob explains, there is still nuance between the faith of the theocratic regime and those adherents of Shia Islam in the country who are less political.Eric Lob, associate professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Florida International University joins Damian Thompson to discuss.Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Ruaridh Nicoll reads his letter from Havana; Angus Colwell takes us through an A-Z of London horrors; Mary Wakefield points out the glaring flaw in Keir Starmer’s ‘cohesion plan; Philip Hensher reviews an increasingly reflective Alan Bennett; and finally, Nicholas Farrell reflects on Jeffrey Epstein, Silvio Berlusconi – and nudists in Italy.Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.