Best of the Spectator

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  Coffee House Shots: Labour conference lookahead | with Jonathan Ashworth 25.09.2026 24min

  Ahead of Labour Party conference, Tim Shipman is joined by former shadow cabinet minister Jonathan Ashworth to discuss the mood inside the party, Andy Burnham’s growing authority and whether he could be tempted to call an early general election. They also consider the pressures facing Burnham on tax, welfare, Europe and the North Sea – and why, sooner or later, he will have to start making enemies.Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Edition: should Burnham call a snap general election? 25.09.2026 41min

  For this week’s Edition, William Moore is joined by the Spectator’s deputy editor Freddy Gray, commissioning editor Lara Brown and deputy political editor James Heale.This week: will Andy Burnham call an early general election? Tim Shipman’s cover asks whether the Prime Minister might go to the polls sooner than 2029, as Labour faces a worsening fiscal situation and an increasingly difficult choice over tax and spending. With the government’s budget looming, does Burnham need a fresh mandate – or is an election simply too risky? And with Reform and the Conservatives competing for voters on the right, could an early contest catch his opponents off guard?Also: the coming AI backlash. James writes about the Prime Minister's cautious approach to artificial intelligence and asks whether the government can afford to hedge its bets as the technology transforms the economy. With Britain facing high energy costs and limited computing capacity, can the UK really compete in the AI race?Across the Atlantic, Freddy looks at Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan whose campaign has attracted attention for its combination of progressive politics, online influence and an emphasis on masculinity and fitness. Could candidates like El-Sayed tell us something about where the American left is heading? And as politicians increasingly turn themselves into social-media personalities, is this more important than traditional party structures?Plus: would you make a good professional mourners? We explore the strange world of people paid to attend funerals.Produced by Patrick Gibbons & Abigail Brierley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Book Club: John Sellars – Stoicism Is Not What You Think 23.09.2026 28min

  In this week’s Book Club podcast, Sam Leith is joined by philosopher John Sellars to discuss his new book, Stoicism Is Not What You Think.Sellars explores the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and challenges some of its most common misconceptions – from the idea that Stoics repress their emotions to the belief that they are cold, indifferent and detached from the world.From its origins in ancient Athens to its modern revival online, Sellars explains what the Stoics actually believed and counter Stoicism’s reputation beyond its ‘stiff upper lip’ image. Sam and John also discuss Marcus Aurelius, the role of women in the history of Stoicism, and the growing body of psychological research asking whether putting Stoic ideas into practice can actually improve our lives.Produced by Abigail Brierley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Quite right!: the battle over Diana’s legacy 22.09.2026 51min

  On this week’s episode of Quite right!: Earl Spencer's new memoir, Swan Song, has drawn a rare direct response from Buckingham Palace. Michael and Maddie weigh up the book's most salacious charges against the King, and ask whether the Earl is driven by money, pride, or something closer to revenge. Is this a serious blow to the monarchy – or do the public just not care what Earl Spencer has to say? Also: It is the turn of the Lib Dem conference, where a row over women's spaces has overshadowed Ed Davey's attacks on Reform's donors. Can they ever again be the party of John Stuart Mill? Finally: Lambeth Palace withdraws an award from a Pakistani cleric who had backed an honorary title for Osama bin Laden. What does it say about the Church of England?Produced by Henry Lloyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Reality Check: the AI apocalypse is just good marketing 22.09.2026 17min

  Some whistleblowers from the AI industry claim there is a more than 10% chance that artificial intelligence could wipe out humanity within a few years. A group of mostly Labour MPs has written to Andy Burnham calling for action on existential AI risk, while conceding there is little the British government can do about it alone.Michael Simmons speaks to John Power about the incentives behind the warnings, whether AI can realistically be regulated and why more mundane harms, from AI-written complaints flooding bodies such as IPSO to hackers using chatbots, may deserve more attention. Are the doom-mongers sounding a genuine alarm – or selling the most powerful product ever built?This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/Produced by Henry Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Spectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman, Charles Steel, Alex Diggins & Rachel Johnson 21.09.2026 36min

  On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman delves into the impact Ed Miliband’s Israeli sanctions have had on UK security; Charles Steel explores the men on the spectrum who rule the world; Alex Diggins talks about the importance of physical maps; and Rachel Johnson admits there’s an art to buying birthday presents. Produced and presented by Abigail Brierley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Holy Smoke: Pakistani Christians fear backlash over Lambeth Palace award 20.09.2026 22min

  Pakistani Christians could face renewed persecution following the Archbishop of Canterbury’s decision to withdraw an honour to a leading Muslim cleric, Monsignor Michael Nazir-Ali warns in this episode of Holy Smoke.The former Bishop of Rochester speaks to Damian Thompson following the news that Lambeth Palace has had to withdraw an award to Hafiz Ashrafi after previous comments by the Imam came to light. Following the ‘Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation' award being presented, it came to light that Ashrafi had praised Osama bin Laden in 2007, saying he would give the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks the title Saifullah – or 'Sword of God’ – for ’serving Muslims by waging jihad against infidels’. The question remains ‘why there was not due diligence’ Msgr Nazir-Ali tells Damian, saying Pakistani Christian leaders fear a backlash. The ‘reactionary action on the part of extremists’ should have been thought about before making the announcement, Nazir-Ali said, as he criticised Lambeth Palace. Msgr Nazir-Ali, now a priest of the Catholic Ordinariate and who was born in Pakistan, is a world renowned authority on Islam's relations with Christianity. He talks to Damian about the debacle over the award, and warns against the increasing secularisation and desecration of British churches.Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Americano: Steve Bannon on the AI extinction threat 18.09.2026 23min

  is episode of Americano, Freddy Gray speaks with Steve Bannon – former White House chief strategist for Donald Trump - about the ideological convergence between national populists and progressive Leftists as they confront the existential risks of unbridled AI, the suppression of internal whistleblower warnings by Silicon Valley elites, and the urgent necessity of cutting off Chinese access to Western microchips and capital. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Edition: Peter Hitchens & Toby Young on whether we should fear the manosphere 18.09.2026 39min

  For this week’s Edition, William Moore is joined by the Spectator’s associate editor and director of the Free Speech Union Toby Young, journalist and author Esther Walker, and Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens.This week: the men on the spectrum who rule the world. Charles Steel writes in the magazine about the wealthy, obsessive and often unconventional figures who increasingly shape politics and technology – from Elon Musk to the crypto billionaire Ben Delo. Is autism a useful way of understanding these men or has society become too obsessed with diagnosing people? Toby argues that traits such as hyper-focus and an indifference to what others think can be an advantage in competitive professions, while Peter dismisses our enthusiasm for putting people on ‘spectrums’ altogether. And, as tech leaders issue increasingly apocalyptic warnings about artificial intelligence, should we take them seriously or be suspicious of calls for greater regulation?Also: should parents really be worried about the ‘manosphere’? Esther argues that the moral panic surrounding online influencers such as Andrew Tate is already out of date. Teenage boys, she says, are perfectly capable of recognising when misogyny is being used as a business model – and many are more interested in mocking influencers than following them. But with ‘looksmaxxing’, bodybuilding and increasingly extreme attempts at self-improvement taking off online, are boys becoming more like the teenage girls of previous generations?Plus: Peter reveals why he has fallen out of love with America – and in love with Canada, while Toby marks 35 years since the launch of the Modern Review.Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Quite right!: Rory Stewart interview | Part two 16.09.2026 25min

  In the second part of his conversation with Michael Gove, Rory Stewart defends the most taboo position in British politics: that private schools are worth protecting. He further argues that the only excuse for privilege is living up to its obligations, and that a wealth tax would destroy the idea of public service.Rory tells Michael what Nigel Farage and Reform UK get wrong about tax, why he disagrees with Peter Thiel on what the wealthy should do with their money, and why Rishi Sunak staying in parliament matters more than anyone noticed.They also discuss how to get Britain growing, why he is a big fan of building more data centres, and how Rory came to be at peace with 450 new houses being built at the end of his own driveway.Plus: What he really disagrees with Alastair Campbell about, the writers he cannot stand, and his plans for the future.You can pre-order Rory's book Middleland now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Book Club: Anand Gopal – Days of Love and Rage 15.09.2026 30min

  In this week's Book Club podcast, Sam Leith is joined by The New Yorker writer Anand Gopal, whose new book, long-listed for the Baillie Gifford Prize, is Days of Love and Rage: A Story of Revolution.What does freedom mean once the dictator has gone? Anand explains why he spent eight years reporting on Manbij, a city of 150,000 that pushed out the Assad regime and set about building a democracy from scratch – and how the argument over what came next split the revolution in two. They discuss the bubblegum seller who became a protest leader, the police chief who quietly stopped shooting at the crowds, how six outsiders talked their way into control of the city, and why the manuscript was handed in three days before Assad fell.Produced by Henry Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Quite right!: Rory Stewart interview | Part one 14.09.2026 28min

  Michael Gove is joined by Rory Stewart, for a conversation he admits would ‘revolt’ his podcasting partner Alastair Campbell.Rory sets out the migration policy he would impose: every boat he would return to France, how he would cut the number of legal arrivals, and completely rework Britain’s broken asylum system.Rory argues that the grooming gangs debate is being conducted in bad faith, that migrant communities in Britain tend to assimilate rather than isolate, and that the culture warriors have picked a fight that distracts from Britain’s bigger problems. Part Two, in which he makes a case for the future of private education and explains how Britain can achieve growth, will be released on Thursday 17th September.You can pre-order Rory's book Middleland now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Spectator Out Loud: Tali Fraser, John Power, Sophia Money-Coutts & Angus Colwell 13.09.2026 29min

  On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tali Fraser delves into why Labour’s socioeconomic duty is attacking the middle classes; John Power tells us how clipping is changing politics, Sophia Money-Coutts muses over which car would best suit her dog; and Angus Colwell spills the beans on Soho’s newest Turkish restaurant.  Produced and presented by Abigail Brierley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Holy Smoke: Catholic Burnham barred – should the law change? 13.09.2026 14min

  Andy Burnham has announced his intention to change a law which bars him from advising the King on appointments to the Church of England. The Victorian-era law explicitly bars Catholics like Burnham, as well as Jews – but doesn't prevent those of other Christian denominations, other faiths – like Hindu Rishi Sunak, or atheists like Keir Starmer. So, if the law is going to be changed to address this anomaly, should it allow all Prime Ministers of any faith to provide advice – or should all non-Anglicans be barred? And what does Burnham's interest in the power tell us about his relationship with his faith – and his approach to the job?The Spectator's James Heale and William Moore join Damian Thompson to discuss.Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Edition: Will Andy drill deep for oil & gas – and is Bayeux in Britain as good as it gets? 11.09.2026 35min

  William Moore is joined by The Spectator's economics editor Michael Simmons, The Spectator's commissioning editor and writer at large Tali Fraser, and the Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party Alex Burghart MP.This week: has Labour stopped just stopping oil? Michael reveals that ministers are expected to approve the Jackdaw gas field within days, while Rosebank is held back until after the by-election in Keir Starmer's old seat – and asks whether a party whose last energy secretary called the project 'climate vandalism' has really changed its mind, or has just found a half measure it can live with.Also: is Britain about to get a new social order? Tali examines the socio-economic duty, a dormant clause of the Equality Act that Labour now plans to switch on, requiring public bodies to weigh social background in every decision they make. The panel discuss what that would mean for school admissions, NHS waiting lists and potholes. Is this equality of outcome by the back door – or simply a charter for lawyers?Plus: after 900 years, is the Bayeux Tapestry worth the wait?Produced by Henry Lloyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Reality Check: Arthur Laffer vs Aaron Bastani | LIVE 11.09.2026 32min

  Arthur Laffer, the economist, former adviser to Ronald Reagan and architect of the Laffer Curve, goes head-to-head with journalist and left-wing author Aaron Bastani over one question: should Britain introduce a wealth tax?Chaired by The Spectator’s economics editor and host of the Reality Check podcast, Michael Simmons, they debate whether a wealth tax could raise significant revenue, or simply drive wealth and investment out of the UK.Spectator subscribers can watch the full debate at spectator.com/wealthtax. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Book Club: Hannah Richell 09.09.2026 33min

  In this week’s Book Club podcast, Sam Leith is joined by bestselling novelist Hannah Richell to discuss her new memoir, An Ocean and a Day.When Hannah’s husband died in a surfing accident, her life in Australia was shattered. Suddenly, she was a single mother to two young children, navigating a grief she could never have imagined. Her memoir traces that journey from the moment of the accident, but, more uniquely, looks beyond those first years of loss – to what grief looks like with the benefit of time, distance and reflection.Sam and Hannah discuss the shame and embarrassment that can accompany grief, the physical effects of loss, how her experience has shaped her fiction, and what makes memoirs so powerful - to both writer and reader. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Quite right!: Danny Kruger interview | LIVE at Reform Conference 08.09.2026 39min

  Michael Gove is joined by Reform UK MP Danny Kruger to discuss the party’s plans for government and why he believes Britain is in a ‘revolutionary moment’.Kruger sets out how Reform would overhaul Whitehall, including replacing the Cabinet Secretary, reforming the civil service and taking a ‘torch’ to parts of the quango state. He also argues for major changes to the way judges are appointed and says Parliament must ultimately remain sovereign over the courts.They also discuss immigration, welfare and the NHS, as Kruger explains why Reform wants to accelerate deportations, cut benefit entitlements for those who could work and introduce more private-sector discipline into public services.And turning to the future of the right, Kruger argues that the Conservative party can no longer win, says Britain risks ‘falling apart’ without radical change, and predicts that one day conservatives will be united under the leadership of Nigel Farage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Coffee House Shots: Malcolm Rifkind on Farage, Kemi and Burnham's gift to the Tories 07.09.2026 29min

  ir Malcolm Rifkind joins Tim Shipman and James Heale to discuss the future of the conservatism and tells The Spectator why Kemi Badenoch is the person to bring the Conservative Party back from the brink.He explains why he thinks Reform is already losing momentum, why Nigel Farage is ‘not fit to govern’, and why Andy Burnham could actually help the Conservatives at the next election.He also reflects on Britain’s relationship with Israel and the United States, criticises Labour’s approach to sanctions on Israel, and gives his verdict on Donald Trump second term.Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Abigail Brierley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Spectator Out Loud: Noa Hoffman, Robert Hardman, Patrick Galbraith, & Matthew Reisz 05.09.2026 33min

  On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Noa Hoffman explains why Keir Starmer’s empty seat could become a Green Party battleground; Robert Hardman tells us how the death of Norway’s King Harald could reshape the royal family; Patrick Galbraith says it has been a disastrous year for British farming; and Matthew Reisz explores the unique relationship between artist Paula Rego and her model, Anthony Rudolf.Produced and presented by Abigail Brierley.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.