The Spectator's Notes: Quangos - a world of perfect hypocrisy
The accusation that the Tories have been installing their people in public appointments should evoke only a hollow laugh. They…
What medieval farmers knew – and the Environment Agency doesn't
Our neighbour Philip Merricks is a farmer on Romney Marsh, 90 per cent of whose land is below sea level.…
The Spectator's Notes: George Osborne's personal recovery
Now that the economic statistics are looking better, people are beginning to rediscover the once-fashionable thought that George Osborne is…
The Spectator's Notes: French presidents used to have a touch of the monarch. Not any more
When I interviewed Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, the former president of France, for my biography of Margaret Thatcher, I asked him…
Mugabe envy in Scotland
Who owns Scotland? The people who most commonly ask this question believe that the land has been wrested from ordinary…
Charles Moore's notes: Why Ireland fears Scottish independence
In Dublin, where I am writing this column, people are watching the Scottish referendum campaign more closely than in London.…
Charles Moore: What would we call what's left of the country if Scotland leaves? Obviously Former UK (FUK) won't do...
Boris Johnson’s Margaret Thatcher Lecture to the Centre for Policy Studies attracted attention for its remarks about IQ, but the…
Charles Moore's notes: Peston and co would have done more Co-op digging if the Tories had been involved
There has naturally been plenty of unfavourable comment on how the Revd Paul Flowers, the ‘crystal Methodist’, was allowed by…
Charles Moore: State broadcasting allows fascism — and we're paying the fees for it
There has not been much good news out of Greece since the eurozone powers decided to crush the country, but…
Charles Moore: Teaching qualifications must include a stint in business — or the army
The most extraordinary thing about the scandal of Unite at Grangemouth and in Falkirk is how long it took the…
Charles Moore's notes: It's great there's a World Islamic Economic Forum — now can we have a Jewish one?
As I write, the World Islamic Economic Forum is opening in London, the first time it has been held in…
Charles Moore: Nelson has lost the battle to a fat, stupid blue cockerel
I do not know whether the Greek gypsy couple accused of abducting a girl called Maria are guilty, but I…
Charles Moore: I'm on Twitter! But what do I say?
AS THE WHOLE Leveson wrangle approaches its climax (or anti-climax), one collateral, innocent victim of it all is the Queen.…
Charles Moore's notes: People want revenge on energy companies
Friends of mine called Georgiana and Mouse Campbell recently bought a new house. In the period between completion and moving…
Charles Moore's notes: At last! Reds under the beds again
Manchester For those of us of a certain age, Ed Miliband’s speech last week was exhilaratingly nostalgic. His promise to…
Sixteen-year-olds don't pay tax. Why should they vote?
No doubt it will happen, because the Tories will not dare oppose it, but is there any conceivable good reason…
Charles Moore’s notes: Liberal-leaning Muslims are the people most opposed to the niqab
We are not allowed to know any details about the Muslim woman, charged with intimidating a witness, who has been…
Charles Moore's notes: The corruption of the BBC - and what was in my GQ goodie bag
‘Corruption’ is a subtle word, because it describes a process rather than an event. It does not merely mean bad…
The Spectator’s Notes
David Cameron says that he will not come back to the House of Commons again about the question of Syria…
Charles Moore's notes: While Justin Welby was finding God, I was eating baked beans
Attending the funeral of Margaret Thatcher in April, the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, was much impressed by the bit in…
The Spectator’s notes
Andrew Mitchell was forced to resign as the Tory Chief Whip last autumn because he called policemen at the Downing…
Charles Moore: Why not marry a dog?
MPs are incomparable. This may seem an odd thing to say in the current climate of opinion, but I mean…
