Best of the Spectator

The Spectator reveals that the government is planning a significant yearly increase in the NHS's budget - but, isn't this the £350m bus pledge (00:40)? We'll also talk about the difficulties of modern adoption with Prue Leith (15:30), and hear from Martin Tyler about whether this year's Russia World Cup looks set to be the most political, ever (26:35).With Will Tanner, James Forsyth, Fraser Nelson, Prue Leith, Dr Sue Armstrong Brown, Mark Palmer, and Martin Tyler.Presented by Lara Prendergast.Produced by Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we talk about Italy’s new coalition – what will the Five Star and Lega partnership mean for Italy and for Europe (0:35)? We also ask whether Conservative Friends of Israel are too friendly to Israel (12:00), and, on a slightly different note, discuss why powerful men loved to be spanked… (26:30)With Fredrik Erixon, Ferdinando Giugliano, Peter Oborne, Stephen Crabb, George McCoy, and Mistress Kaz.Presented by Lara Prendergast.Produced by Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss Donald Trump’s latest foray into foreign policy (1:01) – in taking the US out of the Iran nuclear deal. Is it worthy of a Nobel peace prize, or the act of a maniac?We also talk about the young Londoners who regularly take cocaine, despite the drug’s violent supply chain (13:20), and ask, are emojis ruining children’s abilities to communicate (22:04)?With Christopher de Bellaigue, Dr Roham Alvandi, Alastair Thomas, Dr Adam Winstock, Lara Prendergast, and Professor Vyv Evans.Presented by Isabel Hardman.Produced by Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From 2009 to 2010 Sven Hughes worked for SCL group, the parent company of the controversial — now deceased — Cambridge Analytica. In this Spectator Podcast Special, Sven, now the CEO of a company called Verbalisation, talks to Freddy Gray about his work for Nix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we talk about Theresa May’s impossible situation, and ask, how can she get out of this bind created by her friends and enemies? We also discuss the hostile environment policy, and ask, is Ireland going to repeal its Eighth Amendment?With James Forsyth, Chris Wilkins, David Goodhart, Ash Sakar, Melanie McDonagh, and Una Mullally.Presented by Isabel Hardman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Meghan Markle good news for the Establishment, and what do we make of her anyway? We also discuss the potential for Tory rebellion on the customs union, and ask, does economic research back up higher government spending?With Jan Moir, Sophia Money-Coutts, Ken Clarke, Tim Shipman, Liam Halligan, and Michael Jacobs.Presented by Isabel Hardman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is Theresa May pulling up the drawbridge to Britain, exactly when she should be advertising Britain’s openness in a post-Brexit world? We also discuss why charities are working to shut down schools in Africa, and hear from Quentin Letts on his experience of being pursued by the Establishment.With Fraser Nelson, Joey Jones, James Tooley, Sylvain Aubry, and Quentin Letts. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we know Assad did it, and will counterstrikes work? We also look at the impact of drill music on young people and rising crime in London, and ask, is Beyonce's feminism better than the Spice Girls'?With Paul Wood, James Forsyth, Harriet Sergeant, Jermaine Lawlor, Cosmo Landesman, Ayesha Hazarika, and a special guest.Presented by Lara Prendergast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just how badly will the Tories do in the upcoming local elections, and why do people love Sadiq Khan? We also talk about the end of Macron's political honeymoon, and follow the trail of a new Grand Tour.With Will Heaven, Andrew Gilligan, Pippa Crerar, Gavin Mortimer, Luke Baker, Harry Mount, and Laura FreemanPresented by Lara Prendergast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Nic Cheeseman, Brian Klaas, Dan Hitchens, Rupert Shortt, Alastair Thomas, and Michael Segalov.Presented by Isabel Hardman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.