Barometer
Dams, lives and statistics: the worst dam collapses in Britain
The Spectator 10 August 2019 9:00 am
Dams, lives and statistics The town of Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, was evacuated after heavy rainfall caused the partial collapse of…
Hot topic: How many of us own fans?
The Spectator 3 August 2019 9:00 am
Growing fanbase A photograph of the Queen meeting Boris Johnson revealed that she uses a Dyson electric fan. How many…
What kills more people in the UK: hot or cold weather?
The Spectator 27 July 2019 9:00 am
Losing confidence The government may soon face a vote of no confidence, the second this year. How often do these…
When will man make it to Mars?
The Spectator 20 July 2019 9:00 am
Mars missions When will there be a manned Mars mission? — As early as 1962, Nasa studied the practicalities of…
Is women’s football really that popular?
The Spectator 13 July 2019 9:00 am
Ode to all sorts Brexit party MPs were likened to Nazis for turning their backs on a recital of ‘Ode to…
How many dogs are there in Britain?
The Spectator 6 July 2019 9:00 am
Model hobbies Asked what he did to relax, Boris Johnson claimed that he liked to make model buses. Some others…
How many 999 calls are genuine emergencies?
The Spectator 29 June 2019 9:00 am
To debate or not to debate Is Boris Johnson wise to shun TV debates? — Prior to the 2015 Labour…
Why are hustings called hustings?
The Spectator 22 June 2019 9:00 am
History of hustings Why are hustings called by that name? — The word ‘hustings’ is derived from an old Norse…
How many people have tried illicit drugs?
The Spectator 15 June 2019 9:00 am
What’s in a name? If Jeremy Hunt wins the Conservative leadership election both prime minister and leader of the opposition…
What are the perks of being Jean-Claude Juncker?
The Spectator 8 June 2019 9:00 am
Juncker’s perks The European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker complained that he doesn’t have an official residence, unlike the ambassadors who…
How many people make it up Everest?
The Spectator 1 June 2019 9:00 am
Tears for fears Theresa May welled up while announcing her resignation in Downing Street. How often do leaders cry? —…
What punishment can you expect for throwing a milkshake at a politician?
The Spectator 25 May 2019 9:00 am
Milkshakes and other missiles What can the man who threw a milkshake over Nigel Farage in Newcastle expect as a…
Will more babies be called Archie now the royals have chosen it?
The Spectator 18 May 2019 9:00 am
Royal name games Will more children be called Archie following the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son?…
How long before Baby Sussex slips down the line of succession?
The Spectator 11 May 2019 9:00 am
Endangered species The UN claimed a million species of plants and animals could become extinct. If they all died out,…
Does fracking really cause earthquakes?
The Spectator 4 May 2019 9:00 am
Great shakes Shale gas commissioner Natascha Engel resigned in protest at what she called ‘absurd’ restrictions on fracking — in…
How dangerous are barbecues?
The Spectator 27 April 2019 9:00 am
Spires on fire Paris was lucky not to lose its medieval cathedral entirely, a fate which London suffered in 1666…
Who has hidden in an embassy for longer than Julian Assange?
The Spectator 20 April 2019 9:00 am
Embassy endurance Julian Assange was thrown out of the Ecuadorian embassy in London, seven years after seeking sanctuary from extradition…
Eight things claimed to be worse than smoking
The Spectator 13 April 2019 9:00 am
Flextensions Some organisations which may have benefited from Donald Tusk’s offer of a ‘flextension’ to Article 50: — Adidas, which…
How is the country split over Brexit?
The Spectator 6 April 2019 9:00 am
German customs The original customs union, or Zollverein, was established by Prussia along with 17 other states which make up…
The maddest road signs from around the world
The Spectator 30 March 2019 9:00 am
Silly signs The Department for Transport ordered councils to remove ‘obsolete and unnecessary’ road signs. Some examples of the art…
The biggest explosions in history
The Spectator 23 March 2019 9:00 am
The march of time If we leave the EU on 29 March, with which historic events will that date be…
Will no-deal Brexit fears lead to cheaper flights?
The Spectator 16 March 2019 9:00 am
Cox’s codpiece Attorney general Geoffrey Cox returned from Brussels without even a ‘codpiece’, the name used by some Tories for…
Is knife crime rising everywhere?
The Spectator 9 March 2019 9:00 am
Trolley dollies Virgin Atlantic dropped its requirement for air hostesses to wear make-up at work. What was required of the…
How much do you think it costs to travel from London to Manchester?
The Spectator 2 March 2019 9:00 am
Success of the SDP The breakaway Labour MPs would have an uphill task emulating the SDP’s early success. It fought…
Brexiteers have ‘a special place in hell’ – but who else has a spot there?
The Spectator 16 February 2019 9:00 am
Places in Hell President Donald Tusk said there must be a ‘special place in Hell reserved for those who promoted…