James Forsyth on the latest Spectator / Intelligence Squared debate
There was a particular buzz of anticipation before the latest Spectator / Intelligence2 debate – perhaps because the motion would materially affect the audience. Judging by appearances, I’d wager that almost all of them paid the top rate of tax and that north of 90 percent of them earned £100,000 a year, putting them in the sights of all those who think that the rich should pay more. If nothing else, the evening was going to settle whether or not Turkeys ever do vote for Christmas.
Evan Davis, the BBC’s former economics editor and now a presenter on the Today programme, was in the chair. This induced in me a Pavlovian longing for a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice and I half expected members of the audience to dash out wailing ‘I’m going to be late.’ But Davis’s introduction of a stellar panel soon assured us that we were set for a treat at the end of the day rather than a stressful start to it.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in