Columnists
The secret of my most amazing achievement ever
Just before Christmas I achieved something so totally, incredibly amazing that I think it probably ranks among the greatest things…
Will 2015 witness the Triumph of Probity and Prudence? I’m not betting on it
You might recall a column I once wrote about a party at the Wallace Collection. It took place in late…
The secret of my most amazing achievement ever
Just before Christmas I achieved something so totally, incredibly amazing that I think it probably ranks among the greatest things…
An unhealthy consensus
There’s an irony about Ukip’s rise. Nigel Farage party’s popularity is driven by a widespread sense that the main parties…
Here come the prizes they’re really fighting for
A glittering cast list, delicious food and spectacular entertainment — I just wish you could have been there. But tickets were…
The Spectator’s notes
Pope Francis is favourably compared to Pope Benedict in the media. I hope it is not being slavishly papist to…
The age of indecision
A recent email from Samantha Cameron started an intriguing debate in the Prime Minister’s social circle. It was an invitation…
Why scary fairy stories are the best
Moving house, stacking books in boxes, I came across a clutch of fairy books, Andrew Lang’s folk tales from around…
Why are there so many fat people in pictures of food banks?
Were you aware that the famous actor Andy Garcia was born with a foetus growing out of his left shoulder?…
All I want for Christmas is another dose of the flu
Have you had the horrid bug that’s going round yet? I’ve got it now and I do hope you get…
The rare joy of the commonplace book
Among the gifts that have come my way this Christmas season, none has given me pleasure more immediate or more…
The good old days when I had no idea what I was doing
What I miss most about being very young is the cluelessness. It’s enormously liberating, cluelessness. The boundaries of life are…
Can’t afford Pesto or Boris? Or even Ant and Dec? Try the bloke from The Spectator
To Brighton, to address a conference of property investors. Unusually, I find myself programmed alongside both Gerard Lyons, City economist…
The good old days when I had no idea what I was doing
What I miss most about being very young is the cluelessness. It’s enormously liberating, cluelessness. The boundaries of life are…
All I want for Christmas is another dose of the flu
Have you had the horrid bug that’s going round yet? I’ve got it now and I do hope you get…
Why scary fairy stories are the best
Moving house, stacking books in boxes, I came across a clutch of fairy books, Andrew Lang’s folk tales from around…
The rare joy of the commonplace book
Among the gifts that have come my way this Christmas season, none has given me pleasure more immediate or more…
The age of indecision
A recent email from Samantha Cameron started an intriguing debate in the Prime Minister’s social circle. It was an invitation…
The Spectator’s notes
Pope Francis is favourably compared to Pope Benedict in the media. I hope it is not being slavishly papist to…
This Chancellor is a most political animal
Autumn Statements lack the drama and traditions of the Budget. Gladstone never delivered one, there is no Autumn Statement box…
A story of vile, stupid lefties – and dodgy statistics
Thoroughly cheering news emerged this week that left-handed people are likely to earn between 10 and 12 per cent less…
Why argue when you can simply take offence?
Michael Gove was on BBC Question Time the other night, fielding questions about such contentious subjects as education, immigration and…
Is that a black swan I see before me? Cheap oil has strange consequences
This oil price slump is turning into a ‘black swan’: one of those economic events that seem to come from…
Why argue when you can simply take offence?
Michael Gove was on BBC Question Time the other night, fielding questions about such contentious subjects as education, immigration and…
This Chancellor is a most political animal
Autumn Statements lack the drama and traditions of the Budget. Gladstone never delivered one, there is no Autumn Statement box…
