Alas Vine & Hitchens

Episódios

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  AI’s Evolution and Has Alastair Campbell Seen The Light? 14.09.2026 42min

  On this week’s show, Sarah will be asking if AI is really coming for all of us, and she doesn’t just mean our jobs. And Peter would like to know if Alastair Campbell has finally found God. Yes, that took us by surprise too. And, as pupils nationwide drift back to the classroom, we’ll be opening our mailbag to discuss what is school for? How can the Ukraine war possibly end? The latest news on Peter’s compendium of some of his most notable writing, and if you’re attending a dinner party at Sarah’s or Peter’s then expect schnitzel or fish and chips and champagne. We’ll let you find out which.On our reading, listening and watch list this week: ·      A Dead Statesman – Rudyard Kipling·      Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines – Dir: Jonathan Mostow·      The Abolition of Britain – Peter Hitchens·      We Must Pace The Frontier - Dario Amodei Please do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Vive de Gaulle and Russia and Germany’s Hybrid War 07.09.2026 38min

  On this week’s show, Peter has been to the flicks to see the new de Gaulle movie (five stars from Peter), splashed out on some popcorn too, and Sarah is asking is Germany really going to war with Russia.And we’ll be opening our mailbag to discuss whether there could ever be such a thing as a united Ireland, the evilest person they’ve encountered, should Prince William get a hair weave and what they both watch or do to rile themselves up.On our reading, listening and watch list this week: •A Certain Idea of France: The Life of Charles de Gaulle - Julian Jackson•This Blessed Plot: Britain and Europe from Churchill to Blair – Hugo Young•Murder At The Castle (A Miss Merkel Mystery) - David Safier•Dawn Of The Dead – Dir: George RomeroPlease do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’.Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Lime Bikes and the Idiot Box 31.08.2026 35min

  On this week’s show, Sarah will be talking about her U-turn on Lime and electric bikes (Peter is very pleased) and talking of Peter, he’ll be asking is TV a bad thing? He might also need help turning one on. And we’ll be opening our mailbag to discuss whether the pair believe in a prenup agreement and would either one sign up if they ever got married again. Why was Peter’s 2015 pre-election column pulled and why the pair may be heading to Spain for next year’s much anticipated eclipse.On our reading, listening and watch list this week: ·      Ludwig – BBC One·      Ann Droid – BBC One·      Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – BBC Two·      Bonanza – ITV·      The Onedin Line – BBC One Please do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Harry’s Game and History Repeating 24.08.2026 41min

  On this week’s show, Sarah will be talking about the dark shadow cast upon this land as Harry and Meghan return to the UK and Peter would like to chat about the August night in 1968 when the Soviet Union crushed the Prague Spring. And we’ll be opening our mailbag to discuss whether a journalist, if proved wrong, should change tack and apologise. Not that Peter has ever been proved wrong. The pair debate the reintroduction of bison and wolves into the European landscape and the sheer joy that can be found in a night sky full of stars. On our reading, listening and watch list this week: ·      God. The Science. The Evidence: The Dawn of a Revolution - Michel-Yves Bolloré and Olivier Bonnassies·      The August Coup: The Destruction of the Soviet Union and the Making of New Russia 1985-1991-Robert Service·      The Unbearable Lightness Of Being – Milan KunderaPlease do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Jason Arday and the Rise and Fall of Farage 17.08.2026 36min

  On this week’s show, Sarah, in light of the Jason Arday case, will be talking about the nature of so-called witch hunts, while Peter will be ruminating on Clacton’s favourite son and bin beating by-election winner, Nigel Farage.  And we’ll be opening our mailbag to discuss regrets (Sarah’s had a few), a damn good childhood read or two, their respective lives as young journalists – there was a lot more drinking going on – and how does Peter manage to be so curmudgeonly and pleasant simultaneously?On our reading, listening and watch list this week: ·      Advise and Consent – Allen Drury·      The Eagle of the Ninth – Rosemary Sutcliff·      The Faraway Tree – Enid Blyton·      The Wind In The Willows – Kenneth Grahame·      Mr Benn – Dir: Pat KirbyPlease do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Plight of Graham Phillips and Cinematic Snafus 11.08.2026 38min

  On this week’s show, Peter will be asking why the foreign office is still going after Graham Phillips, and Sarah will be grabbing the popcorn and headed to the cheap seats to talk film/book adaptations, some good, some not so good.And we’ll be opening up our mailbag to discuss Sarah’s best nightie (she favours pyjamas), why MPs should live a full life before entering into politics, the correct us of ‘hopefully’ (let’s hope we get that right) and where to go and what to see when you’re visiting Berlin (according to Peter).On our reading, listening and watch list this week: •Drowned World - JG Ballard•The Last Of The Wine – Mary Renault•The Kraken Awakes – John Wyndham•American Gods – Neil Gaiman•Almansor - Heinrich HeinePlease do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’.Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  A Listener Writes… 03.08.2026 47min

  On this week’s show, Peter and Sarah hand over the floor to our listeners and dedicate the entire episode to responding to emails, WhatsApp notes and Spotify comments that you’ve been kind enough to send.  And what a mailbag it is with stories of duelling in the modern age, should utilities be in public ownership or private hands? Would Peter ever throw in his lot with the Social Democratic Party (unlikely, dear listener)? And cats or dogs? And why does Sarah’s moggy gnaw on her laptop?On our reading, listening and watch list this week: ·      Bladerunner – Dir: Ridley Scott·      The Divine Comedy – Dante·      Royal Flash - George MacDonald Fraser·      Why I Am Not A Christian – Bertrand Russell Please do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Disintegrating Donald and is AI Coming for Us All? 27.07.2026 42min

  On this week’s episode, Peter will be examining the increasing disintegration of one President Donald J Trump while Sarah will be asking if Artificial Intelligence is finally coming for us all.And the pair pore over our mailbag to chat about looking after your parents in later life, the legacy of former PM Jim Callaghan, asking what did the 1970s ever do for us? And the joys of the Northumbrian coastline. On our reading, listening and watch list this week: •  Helena – Evelyn Waugh•  Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton•  2001: A Space Odyssey – Dir: Stanley Kubrick•  Terminator: Dark Fate – Dir: Tim MillerPlease do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’.Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Burnham Begins and the Swinging Seventies 20.07.2026 47min

  On this week’s episode, Sarah’s looking back at the decade of flared jeans and glitter balls and asking why Andy Burnham wants to take us back to the 1970s. And talking of Burnham, Peter wonders if the new PM should now call a general election? And the pair pore over our mailbag to chat about the merits of corporal punishment (or lack of) with Peter recalling school days that sometimes featured a thrashing. The interminable rise of the e-bike and politicians that either could do without ever meeting again.On our reading, listening and watch list this week: •Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury•Coming Up For Air – George Orwell•Goodbye, Mr. Chips - James Hilton•Coriolanus – William Shakespeare•The Whitsun Weddings – Philip LarkinPlease do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’.Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Fall of Farage and Gin and Toast 13.07.2026 32min

  On this week’s episode, Sarah talks procrastination, though she has a few other things to do first, and as he’s named the sleaziest politician in the UK, Peter examines the latest Nigel Farage farrago.  And the pair pore over our mailbag to chat about the legacy of one Dennis Potter, why Peter is less than keen on the Singaporean state, on what the locals really call Wittenham Clumps and that most important of questions: is it Vine and Hitchens or Hitchens and Vine?On our reading, listening and watch list this week:  ·      One Party After Another: The Disruptive Life of Nigel Farage - Michael Crick·      Solving Procrastination: The Science of Why We Put Things Off and How to (Finally!) Stop - Dr. Itamar Shatz·      Stand Up, Nigel Barton – Dir: Gareth Davies Please do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Iran Impasse and Living On an Island 06.07.2026 44min

  On this week’s episode, as the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continues, Peter will be looking at the current situation in Iran and then Sarah and Peter will be comparing notes on their Desert Island Discs (Sarah tries unsuccessfully to convince Peter of the charms of Faithless), if the BBC ever come calling…  And the pair pore over our mailbag to chat about dogma in education, Peter’s favourite public debate, the charm of the Boston suburbs and why our politicians are all too human and why we expect too much from them.On our reading, listening and watch list this week:  Sarah’s Desert Island Choices: ·      Mendelssohn concerto in E minor: Yehudi Menuhin with the Berlin Phil (for my father) ·      Faithless: insomnia·      Hozier: work song ·      Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the devil ·      Maria Callas: Vissi d’arte·      Led Zeppelin: Fool in the Rain·      David Bowie: Moonage Daydream·      Pink Floyd: The Great Gig in the Sky ·      Book: Dante’s divine comedy, I would spend my time translating it into English ·      Luxury: Contact lenses. Although they might be considered a necessity as I’m so blind. In which case, a hot bath.  Peter’s Desert Island Choices: ·      Bob Dylan: Tomorrow is a Long Time·      Fairport Convention: Farewell, Farewell·      Purcell: Nymphs and Shepherds·      Purcell: Rondeau ·      Gustav Holst: St Paul’s Suite·      George Butterworth: The Banks of Green Willow·      Handel: Solomon·      Beethoven: Seventh Symphony·      Book: A collection of the Sherlock Holmes Short and Long Stories·      Luxury: A Fridge  Please do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Price of Education and Harry’s Game 29.06.2026 48min

  On this week’s episode, Peter would like to know why Labour are taxing some private schools out of business and Sarah is asking if should we even care that Prince Harry might be coming back to the UK?  And the pair pore over our mailbag to chat about studying double smoking (and drinking cider), how e-bikes have no place even in hilly Lisbon, just how Conservative was Gordon Brown, and what ties Andy Bunrnham and Philip Larkin together.On our reading and watch list this week:  ·      The Secondary Mod – Dick Stroud·      The August Coup: The Destruction of the Soviet Union and the Making of New Russia 1985-1991 – Robert Service·      The Conservative enemy: A programme of radical reform for the 1960s - C. Anthony R. Crosland  Please do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Keir Curtailed and A Voyage Round My Father 22.06.2026 41min

  On this week’s episode, Sarah speaks candidly about her father’s recent passing, both muse on the brutality of modern politics as Kier Starmer steps down and Peter wonders why some nations crave war. And the pair pore over our mailbag prompting Peter’s remarkable impression of an announcer on the Moscow Metro. They both offer up the funniest politicians they’ve encountered and revisit Peter’s anti-Cameron documentary, Toff At The Top. On our reading and watch list this week:  ·      Two Women – Dir: Vittorio De Sica·      Salvador – Dir: Oliver Stone·      Dispatches: Cameron - Toff at the Top Please do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Banned Books and Past-It Politicians 15.06.2026 29min

  On this week’s episode, Sarah’s asking is eighty too old to be a world leader or any kind of politician and Peter would like to know why the Thought Police are coming after Janet and John. And the pair pore over our mailbag to consider why Peter is s a Swissphile, to wonder what the Victorians ever did for us, how the Mamas and Papas were a musical apex for some and why is one of our presenters practically meat and drink for the Popbitch website. On our reading and watch list this week:  ·      Chocky – John Wyndham·      Janet and John – Various·      Places Where They Sing – Simon Raven Please do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular To get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  An Iron Dome for the UK and Allaying the Blame 10.06.2026 35min

  On this week’s episode, Peter has finally worked out how to defend the realm (so you might sleep safely in your beds), and Sarah is asking why do some authority figures often go after the wrong people, and leave the real criminals alone? And the pair pore over our mailbag to consider Britain’s place in two world wars, the valuer of spoiling a ballot paper. What happened when Peter appeared the panel of Have I Got News For You (clue: it changed political history)? How he might go about robbing a bank (unsuccessfully). And to decimalise or not? And what that may or may not have meant to the Roman army. On our reading and watch list this week:  ·      What Happened to the Corbetts – Nevil Shute·      The Phoney Victory: The World War II Illusion – Peter Hitchens·      The Guns Of August – Barbara W. Tuchman·      The Life of Brian – Dir: Terry Jones Please do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular To get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Abolish the Police and Return of the Blair Creature 03.06.2026 44min

  On this week’s episode, Sarah is asking what happened in the brutal murder of student Henry Nowak and Peter would like to know why the Blair Creature has returned from the deep to haunt the Labour Party.  And the pair pore over our mailbag to consider what the Festival of Britain brought the UK and if we might ever see it’s like again. While Peter embraces the charms of Paris, Sarah less so. They also ask what use libertarianism? But are united in their love of Spain and its wonderful cities.On our reading and watch list this week:  ·      Scarman Report – Lord Scarman·      The Abolition of Liberty – Peter Hitchens·      Robert Peel: A Biography – Douglas Hurd·      Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity) - Pope Leo XIV ·      Tales from the Alhambra – Washington Irvine Please do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Crime And (No) Punishment and Phew! What a Scorcher! 27.05.2026 45min

  On this week’s episode, Sarah is asking why a judge thought it was a good idea to let three rapists walk free. And Peter would like to know what the deal is with ridiculous centigrade temperatures.  And the pair marvel over Peter’s rakish black eye and pore over our latest mailbag to answer listener questions on whether devolution really can work and is the blueprint for politics on a national scale. The merits of the free bus pass, compulsory voting works for Australia, so why not us? And, perhaps more importantly, why parenting used to be akin to NATO and that was a good thing.On our reading and watch list this week:  ·      A Clockwork Orange – Dir: Stanley Kubrick·      Book Of Common Prayer·      Unconventional Wisdom – Peter Hitchens Please do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Prawn Again, Bombs and Displaced People 20.05.2026 33min

  On this week’s episode, two worlds collide as Sarah asks why prawn cocktail and such old school culinary delights as beef bourguignon and banana splits are back on the dinner menu. And Peter will be asking if our policy of bombing foreign countries is driving up mass immigration to the UK. And the pair pore over our latest mailbag to answer listener questions on whether Kemi Badenoch is really a true-blue conservative or more in the mould of someone like libertarian Javier Milei? The merits of the latest cinematic take on the life of Charles De Gaulle, the shortcomings of the Criminal Cases Review Commission and, finally, what did the 60s ever do for us?On our reading and watch list this week:  ·      The Leopard - Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa·      I’m Still Here – Dir: Walter Salles·      De Gaulle: Tilting Iron - Dir: Antonin BaudryPlease do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Voting for Beginners and the End of the PM 13.05.2026 40min

  On this week’s episode, Peter will be telling us why first past the post is a much more preferable voting model to proportional representation. And sticking with the electorate, Sarah will be asking if there should be a general election if Keir Starmer finally falls on his sword. And the pair pore over our latest mailbag to answer listener questions on the ‘sovereign’ bases in Cyprus, go back and forth on the latest report on the October 7th attacks. Why has the city of Coventry gone to wrack and ruin since Peter left and do either enjoy the cut and thrust of social media? Peter, you may be surprised to find, is all for it.On our reading and watch list this week:  ·      In The Wet – Nevil Shute·      Lost Coventry – David McGrory·      10/7: 100 Human Stories – Lee YaronPlease do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  2000 Days of Lucy Letby and the Badenoch Bounce 06.05.2026 32min

  On this week’s episode, Peter would like to know why Lucy Letby has been in prison for 2,000 days while there is still little to no evidence against her. And Sarah – struggling valiantly with bronchitis - will be telling you why she was right about Kemi Badenoch all along.  And the pair pore over our latest mailbag to ask whatever happened to civilised political debate and can it possibly ever return? Peter doesn’t hold back on his thoughts on Tom Holland’ s Dominion, we hear from a honeymooning listener who’s been traversing Japan by train while listening to Alas… And King Charles II gets a mention, no surprises there.On our reading and watch list this week:  ·      Short Breaks in Mordor: Dawns and Departures of a Scribbler's Life – Peter Hitchens·      Blue Ambition: The Unauthorised Biography of Kemi Badenoch - Lord Ashcroft ·      Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind - Tom HollandPlease do get in touch, email: [email protected] you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’. Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Philip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously PopularTo get in touch email [email protected], you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp - on 07796 657512 start your message with the word 'alas'Presenters: Sarah Vine & Peter HitchensProducer: Phillip WildingEditor: Chelsey MooreProduction Manager: Vittoria CecchiniExecutive Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.