The Spectator

The Spectator is Britain’s oldest and most influential magazine, with incisive political and economic analysis, unrivalled books and arts reviews, and unmissable lifestyle writing, plus the funniest cartoons. It’s more cocktail party than political party, and we’d love it if you joined us.

Sound the retreat

The Spectator

CONTRIBUTORS

PORTRAIT OF THE WEEK

DIARY

Labour’s plan to unite the left

THE SPECTATOR’S NOTES

Shirkers’ rights • Labour’s benefits bonanza doesn’t add up

Canned Laughter

Crowning glory • A new series highlights why British diplomacy needs the royals

Hands off my prostate

Mass appeal

Identity politics • An apology to Hope Not Hate and Harry Shukman

Where was my invitation to Your Party?

Greek odyssey • How I bonded with Tom Stoppard over the classics

BAROMETER

The mind-body conundrum

Climate climbdown • The great green scare is finally fading

Straight to video • The ‘Crewkerne Man’ is reviving political satire

Record keeping • I’m bringing back the album

LETTERS

Why the Budget let banks off the hook

Ambition, guilt and desire • Adam Begley follows John Updike from hay-haired boy to elderly duffer in a collection of remarkable letters

Clever Hans

Party Time

A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles

A romp through romance

Red, smoked, pickled and cured

In Flanders fields

A dishonourable business

Parodies and potboilers

Getting down with the Blitz Kids

Payback time

What is the greatest artwork of the century so far?

Postcards from Italy

Bruckner on Ozempic

Duel in the crown

Remembering Tom Stoppard

Miller vs Van Hove

Party tricks

Best life

Real life

The turf

SPECTATOR WINE

Retreating knights

Frankenpoem

2732: Play it tough

The jury’s out

The Battle for Britain

Ben stokes the flames

DEAR MARY YOUR PROBLEMS SOLVED

A right royal travesty

Fudge