Alex Massie 
Lessons from Ronnie and Maggie
Ramesh Ponnuru has written a splendid op-ed for today’s New York Times. Splendid, not because it is new or especially original, but because, alas, it’s central message needs repeating until,… Continue reading
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The Myth of the Immigrant Benefit-Scrounger
The Sunday Express is at it again. It is outraged that Britain’s prisons contain some inmates who were not born in this country. Of course, everyone is hopping aboard the… Continue reading
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Mr Micawber Goes to the Treasury
John Rentoul draws attention to a new ComRes poll that goes some way towards explaining George Osborne’s predicament when it comes to managing government finances. Put simply, the public is… Continue reading
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Are the Tories united on Europe? Pull the other one.
Party unity is one of those things you can measure by the frequency with which the idea is mentioned. The more often it is talked about, the less it exists.… Continue reading
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The Iraq War's Real Victims? Laurie Penny and the Narcissistic Left
Don’t take my word for it. Ask the redoubtable Ms Penny herself. Contemplating the “lesson” of the anti-war protests a decade ago, she writes: Tony Blair’s decision to take Britain… Continue reading
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David Cameron’s Immigration Reverse Ferret
If you seek cheap entertainment, the sight of government ministers defending their immigration policies to the foreign press is always worth a sardonic chuckle or two. And, lo, it came… Continue reading
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Happy Valentine's Day
Thanks to AH for this reminder that the Victorians – and many since – were right to think Scotland a land of romance and all that stuff.
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No, Barack Obama has not declared an end to the War on Terror - Spectator Blogs
I see that Con Coughlin is at it again. Apparently, you see, Barack Obama has “taken leave of reality”. How so? By declaring that al-Qaeda is but “a shadow of its former… Continue reading
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The SNP's Vision for Tartan Neoliberalism - Spectator Blogs
The SNP’s rise to power at Holyrood was predicated upon two useful qualities. First, the party has successfully contrived to appeal to different audiences without the contradictions in their doing… Continue reading
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Obituary of the Week: Jungleyes Love - Spectator Blogs
I’ve been on Jura on a Wedding Planning Immersion Course* these past few days so, apart from noting that the Pope is retiring (upon which I have no opinion), I’ve… Continue reading
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David Ward and the Ruthless Suppression of Anti-Israel Criticism - Spectator Blogs
David Ward, Liberal Democrat MP for Bradford East, is unhappy that his recent comments about The Jews attracted such widespread criticism. You see: “There is a huge operation out there,… Continue reading
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Whisper it, but the British economy may in better shape than you think... - Spectator Blogs
Doom and gloom is all around. This is another winter, if not of discontent, then certainly of persistent grumbling. Optimism is as rare as a Scottish victory at Twickenham and,… Continue reading
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Cameron's Gay Marriage Victory Showed Him As A Real Leader - Spectator Blogs
And lo, the battle for British Gay Marriage was in fact a rout. True, half the parliamentary Conservative party voted against the measure. True too, this is now being considered… Continue reading
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Borgen and Scotland: A Love Affair Founded on Self-Congratulation
Borgen – the title refers to the Danish equivalent of Holyrood or Westminster – has been terrifically popular amongst those people interested in sub-titled political dramas from Denmark. I fancy… Continue reading
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Lockerbie Novel: It Was Iran, Not Libya - Spectator Blogs
From a very entertaining New York Times profile of Gerard de Villiers, the French novelist who, though little known in this country, is seemingly better connected in the spy world… Continue reading
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Irish food safety chief now appointed Irish horse chief - Spectator Blogs
Some jokes just write themselves. Hurrah for Ireland: The former head of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has been appointed chairman of Horse Sport Ireland. Prof Patrick Wall, who… Continue reading
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Half of the British Army's officer corps is privately educated. Does that matter? - Spectator Blogs
An interesting spot, courtesy of the good chaps at Think Defence. From Hansard: Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North, Labour) To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion… Continue reading
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Is the press biased against the SNP? Probably. But we are all nationalists now. - Spectator Blogs
So we have a question and it is a simple one. Should Scotland be an independent country? There, that wasn’t so difficult was it? It is, after all, the nub of the… Continue reading
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Morrissey and Johnny Marr Explain Scottish Independence... - Spectator Blogs
There are only 600 or so days to go until Scotland has its referendum on independence. The excitement is almost palpable. Fortunately The Smiths back catalogue is all you need… Continue reading
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Are High Speed Railways for the North or for London?
I used to think High Speed Rail was an excellent idea. Now I’m not so sure. I suspect the economic case for the proposals is weaker than its proponents allow.… Continue reading
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