Leading article
Keir Starmer must look beyond adolescent politics
An industry poll by the British Film Institute in 2000 to find Britain’s best television programme put Fawlty Towers first…
The underlying message of Rachel Reeves’s Spring Statement
Rachel Reeves may not be the most mellifluous writer ever to inhabit 11 Downing Street. At the weekend, she informed…
Kemi’s stance on net zero is courageous – and correct
Kemi Badenoch secured the Conservative leadership on the basis that she would confront her party and the country with uncomfortable…
The West must not look away from what’s happening in Syria
Tony Blair’s former spin doctor Alastair Campbell has many talents. But his understanding of Middle Eastern politics leaves much to…
Trump has shifted the world in Putin’s favour
The verbal pummelling of Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House last week was an ugly moment of bitter truth. We…
Keir Starmer’s welcome embrace of realism
Sixty-five years ago, a British Prime Minister acknowledged that a new world order was coming to pass and that it…
Who lost Ukraine?
In the America of the 1950s, one question dominated foreign policy: ‘Who lost China?’ The Communist victory in the Chinese…
The Spectator fights back against government excess
Britons used to be able to rely on their parliament to safeguard liberty and their wallets. Those who were sent…
Britain could learn from Trump’s approach to foreign policy
The Foreign Secretary describes his approach to diplomacy as ‘progressive realism’. One can legitimately ask what is progressive about a…
DeepSeek’s cheap information comes at a high price for the West
This week, Chinese technology has shown the West the challenge it faces – ruthless, implacable and impossible to ignore. The…
Why won’t Keir Starmer use the word ‘terrorist’?
Why does Keir Starmer find it so hard to use the word ‘terrorist’ when talking about a man who buys…
The folly of Keir Starmer’s Chagos Islands deal
It would be natural to assume that sinking bond markets would be the government’s priority this week, as low UK…
It’s time to fast-track our adoption process
The debate surrounding the sexual exploitation of thousands of children over decades, which has re-ignited this week, should act as…
The growing wealth gap between Britain and the US
New year predictions are always rash, but it feels as though one aspect of the story of 2025 can already…
In defence of faith
For what should we give thanks this Christmas? The faith that sustains millions through life’s challenges and inspires countless acts…
Labour’s confidence tricks
There is nothing new, nor necessarily fatal, about making a poor start in government. Margaret Thatcher had a torrid first…
Labour’s little helper: the CBI is failing British business
What is the Confederation of British Industry for? Indeed, who is it for? The soi-disant voice of British business held…
Rachel Reeves can still repair the damage done to farming
The Chancellor of the Exchequer found time this week to edit her own page on the social media site LinkedIn.…
The case against assisted suicide
Those in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill insist they’ve addressed critics’ principal concerns and that…
What Britain can learn from Donald Trump’s victory
This has been the year of ejection elections. Across the democratic world, incumbents have been thrown out and insurgents have…
Rachel Reeves is taking us back to the 1970s
The first fiscal event to be delivered by a female Chancellor of the Exchequer is a landmark moment, but in…
Is Wes Streeting the Hamlet of the health service?
Is Wes Streeting the Hamlet of the Health Service? Is this undoubtedly talented and thoughtful young Labour prince fatally irresolute…
The futility of Martyn’s Law
There have been few acts of terrorist violence on British soil as grotesque as the Manchester Arena bombing in May…
Labour’s first 100 days: the verdict
This Saturday marks Labour’s 100th day in office. But they are unlikely to be popping champagne corks in Downing Street…
‘No win, no fee’ has no place in war zones
The guilty plea of the former human rights lawyer Phil Shiner this week to charges of fraud is a story…
