The Spectator Podcast: Melanie Phillips on gender, Simon Barnes on bad sport and James Forsyth on Europe

In this week’s issue, Melanie Phillips writes on the issue of gender. She argues that not all children are gender fluid and that it can be dangerous to try and persuade them otherwise. On this week’s podcast, Isabel Hardman is joined by Melanie and trans activist and civil servant Jacqui Gavin to discuss whether we should be telling children that they can be whatever gender they want.

And is the game over for sport? Simon Barnes argues that, with scandals embroiling tennis, athletics and football, amongst others, the sporting world is in trouble as never before. He says there is a danger that spectators are losing trust and beginning to walk away. Simon is joined by Alex Massie to discuss whether 2016 will be the year that sport finally dies.

Isabel will also be talking to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about whether the European project is in grave danger – regardless of Brexit happening or not.