Devolution is a failing halfway house
One of the things I hadn’t anticipated about the pandemic is that it would turn me into an English nationalist.…
Thanks for nothing, Pickford
You might hate the Premier League for its determination to suck all the money out of football, but at least…
Dear Mary
Q. An old friend offered to treat me to a birthday lunch, provided I choose and book the restaurant myself.…
Ivy league
Oxford is not an easy city to homogenise; but that doesn’t mean you can’t try. I found a vast shopping…
The madness of crowds
To beat the virus, the government is asking us to keep to simple hands-face-space guidelines. When these are not followed,…
The Spectator’s Notes
You have to give it to Donald Trump: he never stops trying. In a letter dated 25 September, he wrote…
Adrenochrome
QAnon, the conspiracy theorist’s conspiracy theory, teaches that President Donald Trump is in secret warfare with a worldwide network of…
Does anyone recognise David Hare’s Britain?
Having not watched television for nine months and already growing bored of the 1,000-piece jigsaw of General Alfredo Stroessner (part…
My week with the baying mob
Portland, Oregon In the days when you could still watch a nature documentary without feeling as if you were sitting…
A historically accurate pollster puts the presidential race within the margin of error
Election polling has been largely consistent since the pandemic hit the US: Joe Biden is the heavy favorite. But one…
Trump sealed the deal last night
First, let me pay brief homage to Kristen Welker, moderator of Thursday night’s debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.…
How will Number 10 deal with Joe Biden?
Donald Trump may have turned in a more effective debate performance last night, but Joe Biden is still the favourite…
Can dynastic restoration revive Lebanese fortunes?
Once more Lebanon is in crisis, and once more its leaders turn to what they most understand to solve things:…
Angela Merkel’s executive power-grab
Germany’s Social Democrats have remained quiet for months as their coalition partner, Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats, have tackled this pandemic.…
A serious debate that leaves Biden with lingering bruises
Thursday night’s debate was far calmer and more substantive than the street brawl that preceded it. If we score it…
Spain’s politics is fraying
‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’ Philosopher George Santayana’s dictum is starting to look more…
Scottish devolution has been tested to destruction
The Scottish Tories are decidedly unenthusiastic about suggestions Westminster devolve further powers to the Scottish Parliament. A proposal to stave…
Joe Biden’s court-packing alternatives
After months of dodging questions from the press and his opponent, Joe Biden has finally announced his position on packing…
