Best of the Spectator

A debate over public prayer, free speech and how faith is shown in shared spaces. Tensions about whether visible religious rituals signal domination or simple devotion. Discussion of legal and cultural responses, from prayer calls to slaughter rules. Political caution and electoral incentives shaping how these issues are handled in Britain.

Eric Lob, associate professor of politics at Florida International University and scholar of Iranian politics and Shia Islam, gives a concise tour of Shia martyrdom. He traces Karbala and Ashura rituals. He explains how the Islamic Republic has used martyr narratives, reactions to Khamenei's killing, polling challenges, secular trends, and possible political outcomes.

Philip Hensher, novelist and critic, reflects on Alan Bennett's late diaries and lost dramatic archive. Mary Wakefield, journalist, inspects Tower Hamlets life and critiques Keir Starmer's cohesion plan. Ruaridh Nicoll, reporter in Havana, reads a first-person letter about blackouts, scarcity and the effects of an oil blockade. Short, vivid pieces on culture, politics and daily struggle.

Freddy Gray speaks to James D. Boys, author of the new book US grand strategy and the madman theory. He is also a senior research fellow at UCL. They discuss the origins of the madman theory – which applies insights from psychology to understand how your enemies think. James covers it from from Nixon to Trump and its intellectual home in Boston. They also explore how the madman theory is being applied in the Middle East conflict and how regularly the theory can be misapplied. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Bew, historian and foreign-policy adviser to multiple prime ministers, outlines Britain’s ‘fourth great disruption’ and its historical echoes. He traces past national reforms, argues for disciplined planning, and weighs defence, economic limits and the need for political trade-offs. Short, vivid reflections on how Britain might renegotiate its place in the world.

Jo Coburn, Times Radio broadcaster offering sharp political analysis. James Heale, deputy political editor at The Spectator covering party strategy. Charles Moore, Spectator chairman and columnist on politics and foreign policy. They debate whether Nigel Farage truly seeks the premiership, Reform's governing contradictions, ties to Trump, electoral maths and youth voting, UK defence shortfalls and the future of the BBC.

Howard Jacobson, Booker Prize–winning novelist known for comic and literary fiction, discusses his new novel Howl. He explains why a novel can do what journalism cannot. He explores using dark comedy amid rage, a furious narrator confronting moral panic, shifting attitudes toward Israel, and Shakespearean tragic textures.

A lively dive into Keir Starmer’s cautious, process-first leadership and whether that approach is a political weakness. A close look at the Mandelson appointment, briefings and accountability. Debate over Labour’s chances of replacing its leader before an election. A wider chat about political tone, hypocrisy and what purpose a leader’s decency serves.

Andrew Atherstone, Professor of Modern Anglicanism and biographer of Sarah Mullally, outlines her rise from chief nurse to Archbishop and her evangelical roots. He explores her cautious, consensual leadership style, ambiguity on same-sex blessings, approach to safeguarding and racial justice, and the political and Communion challenges she faces. The conversation highlights her likeability and practical, pastoral instincts.

Danny Shaw, former adviser and Home Affairs commentator who backs pragmatic reforms to cut court backlogs. Karl Turner, Labour MP active in justice debates who fiercely defends jury rights. They debate the Courts Bill, whether judge-only trials speed up justice, parliamentary divisions and practical risks of curtailing juries. Tense agreement on the broken state of the system.