Freedom and security
It is good to see the Guardian suddenly rediscover its interest in the sanctity of a free press. Just five…
Portrait of the week
Home The cost of the HS2 railway line was expected by some in the Treasury to rise from £43 billion…
Barometer
We will remember them A German diplomat called on Britain to commemorate but not celebrate the centenary of the Great…
Letters
Some doctors write Sir: Professor Meirion Thomas (‘Dangerous medicine’, 17 August) may be an excellent surgeon but he is uninformed…
Books and Arts
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Along the wrong lines
We would not want to return to the days when the transport secretary was actively engaged in the running of…
Portrait of the week
Home The population of the United Kingdom rose by 420,000, to 63.7 million, by the middle of last year, with…
Barometer
Ward ceremony There have been 29 health secretaries since 1948. How many have wards that — though not necessarily named…
Letters
Absent friends Sir: Alec Marsh (‘Welcome to Big Venice’, 10 August) accurately observes that Londoners are priced out of central…
Books and Arts
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Causes and effects
When spending money is declared to be a good in itself, it is certain that much of it will be…
Portrait of the week
Home Retail sales enjoyed their fastest July growth in seven years, thanks to demand for beer, sun cream, swimwear and…
Barometer
Other people’s rocks Spain threatened to introduce a €40 border-crossing charge and find other ways of making life difficult for…
Books and Arts
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Frack the South
David Howell never really succeeded as energy and then transport secretary in Mrs Thatcher’s governments. After she sacked him in…
Letters
IQ and social mobility Sir: It seems not to have occurred to our leaders that ability is not evenly distributed…
Barometer
Art by the seaside The Kent seaside resort of Herne Bay staged the parade of a urinal through the town…
Letters
The Spectator 10 August 2013 9:00 am
In defence of bats Sir: I am saddened by the ‘us versus them’ stance taken by Melissa Kite (‘Bats vs…