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The Edition: how the Bank broke Britain, Zelensky’s choice & the joys of mudlarking
First up: how the Bank of England wrecked the economy
Britain’s economy is teetering on the brink of a deep fiscal hole, created by billions of pounds of unfunded spending – never-ending health promises, a spiralling welfare bill and a triple lock on the state pension, which will cost three times as much as originally estimated.
Although politicians ‘deserve much of the blame for the economic state we’re in’, it’s Andrew Bailey – Michael Simmons argues in the magazine this week – who ‘has enabled their recklessness’.
He joined the podcast to discuss who really broke Britain with Kate Andrews, Deputy Editor of The Spectator’s world edition and former Economics Editor. (01:15)
Next: has Ukraine lost faith in Zelensky?
Whilst Donald Trump’s surprise ‘newfound support for Ukraine is a welcome lifeline’, Owen Matthews writes in the magazine this week, ‘the question is whether his help will be enough to stop Russia’s relentless attacks before Ukraine is engulfed in a critical military, political and social crisis that threatens to destroy it from within’. Ukraine is running out of men, and is racked by corruption scandals and purges. As a consequence, public faith in Volodymyr Zelensky is declining.
To discuss what’s next for Ukraine, Owen joined the podcast. (24:29)
And finally: the joys of mudlarking
In the arts section of the magazine this week, Margaret Mitchell reviews a new exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands on mudlarking – the practice of combing at low tide for washed-up items of historical interest. These can include everything from statues of Roman gods and goddesses to the common vape – and it’s a hobby that is booming in popularity.
To discuss, Margaret joined the podcast alongside Lara Maiklem, mudlarker and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. (41:07)
Hosted by William Moore and Gus Carter.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
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Book Club: Yann Martel
33:32|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.
Quite right! | Anas Sarwar: why I said Starmer should go
49:33|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.
Americano: podcast wars, Cuba & Corbyn – with Steven Crowder
38:22|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.
Spectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman, Ben Clerkin, Maxwell Marlow & Hermione Eyre
23:59|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.
Holy Smoke: Prince William resets faith – as Sarah Mullally enthroned
36:38|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.
LIVE: is it time for a Tory-Reform pact?
51:37|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.
The Edition: does British politics have a problem with the 'omnicause'?
50:56|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 obvious. Plus: how much religion is acceptable in public life? The group discuss shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy's recent criticism of the Muslim public prayer at Trafalgar Square. Was Timothy right to say it was an 'act of domination'? Are the Conservatives trying to 'out-Reform Reform' on Islam and extremism? And how do we balance freedom of expression with freedom of religion?Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
The Book Club: inside the world of competitive Scrabble
49:40|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.
Quite right!: the political Islam debate
23:24|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.