Best of the Spectator

Freddy is joined by historian and former diplomat, Charlie Gammell. They discuss the situation in Iran, whether the US is heading for a decisive confrontation, and examine the regional consequences: proxy warfare, Gulf energy security, Pakistan’s delicate position, and migration pressures on Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angus Colwell, journalist and commentator, explores why young Brits are adopting Australian fashion, slang and lifestyle. Short segments dive into a bold plan to resettle the Chagos islands, gritty life on Peros Banhos, why reading can feel like love through avant-garde fiction, and Jonathan Meades on John Vanbrugh’s unclassifiable architecture.

Tom Whipple, science writer who studies decision-making under uncertainty; Christopher Snowdon, journalist who examines economic fallout of policy; Sunetra Gupta, Oxford epidemiologist known for herd immunity work; Jonathan Sumption, former Supreme Court justice focused on civil liberties. They debate lockdown effects, modelling limits, economic costs, legal and moral trade offs, and how to test policies next time.

Jacob Heilbrunn, political commentator and foreign policy analyst, discusses the recent Iran strikes and their strategic stakes. He examines whether these actions aim for regime change and if there is any coherent plan. Topics include targeting senior commanders, neoconservative influence on policy, risks of regional escalation, and possible nightmare scenarios like migration and wider conflict.

Munira Mirza, former adviser to Boris Johnson and founder of Civic Future and Fix Britain, speaks on leadership and the state. She weighs Boris Johnson’s strengths and flaws. She questions whether human-rights and equality laws hinder decisive government. She urges clearer political leadership and ’radical candour’ in Westminster.

Lionel Shriver, novelist and Spectator columnist, talks about his new immigration novel and clashes with the British press. Robert Hardman, royal commentator and Daily Mail columnist, dissects Parliament’s cautious response to royal scandals. Michael Simmons, economics editor, probes Labour’s ties to the City and bank influence. They also chat about BBC’s Industry, Brits’ Australia fascination, and the curious politics of moustaches.

Francis Spufford, novelist and non-fiction writer known for blending history and fantasy, chats about his new novel Nonesuch. He discusses wartime London as a liminal fantasy setting. He talks world-building, biblically accurate angels, magical Nazis, filmic Technicolor tone and the challenges of writing a female protagonist.

Munira Mirza, former No.10 policy director and founder of Civic Future, reflects on Labour’s vulnerability in Gorton and Denton and why Muslim voters are drifting. She explores the politicisation of religious identity, the rise of Islamism in Britain, and failures of authorities to confront hard truths. The conversation also covers mental health, race and public safety controversies.

Dr Yuri Stoyanov, SOAS scholar of religion who studies the Russian Orthodox Church, explores how Russian rhetoric has morphed into a crusade-style holy war. He traces the break with Byzantine traditions, the sacralization of annexation and troop mobilization, splits across Orthodox churches, and surprising support from some Islamic and Buddhist leaders.

Jon Craig, Sky News chief political correspondent known for live election-night coverage, shares his love of unpredictable by-elections. They tour landmark contests from 1938 to recent shocks. Short counts, long waits, career-making surprises and how modern politics and social media reshape scrutiny are all discussed in lively, anecdote-filled conversation.