Celibacy
Celibacy
The Spectator
Thursday
Paddington
‘I couldn’t afford the fare to Paddington. I’m Victoria Coach Station bear.’
Letters | 10 January 2013
The aid argument Sir: ‘The great aid mystery’ (5 January) presents the development sceptics’ case — which in five years in opposition (2005-2010) the Conservative party set out to address head on. Although the huge changes in British development policy over the last two and half years appear to have eluded Messrs Foreman and Shaw,
Troubles ahead
If the Belfast riots were happening in any other city in the United Kingdom, there would be uproar. For almost five weeks there have been violent clashes each night. Live rounds have been fired on city streets, politicians’ houses set ablaze, petrol bombs thrown at police and over 60 officers hurt. David Cameron seems to
Portrait of the week | 10 January 2013
Home David Cameron, the Prime Minister, said that, for the ‘coalition government with a full tank of gas, it’s full steam ahead’. He announced a ‘mid-term review’, but an audit that showed which pledges had not been met was held back. ‘We are married, not to each other,’ he said at a joint press conference
Barometer | 10 January 2013
Welfare state The government was attacked for wanting to increase benefits by less than inflation. How have benefits changed in real terms since they were introduced? — Unemployment benefit began with the National Insurance Act 1911, when unemployed workers became eligible for payments of seven shillings a week for up to 15 weeks in the
Books and Arts – 10 January 2013
Christmas
DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH (2A), SEE AMID THE WINTER’S SNOW (118), ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY (1) and WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED (19) are the opening words of Christmas carols, as are ‘I saw three ships come sailing in’. SIGHT (53) and ROUND WINDOW (8/92) each define ‘eye’, which sounds like ‘I’; GANG (39), PIT
Wednesday
Could Jesse Norman be the next Tory leader?
He might want to stay Prime Minister until 2020, but who will succeed David Cameron once he’s gone? In this week’s Spectator, Bruce Anderson offers his own tip for the next Conservative leader: David Cameron has announced that he would like to stay in No. 10 until at least 2020. That is excellent news for
Monday
David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s joint foreword to the Mid-Term Review
Two and a half years ago, our parties came together in the national interest and formed a coalition at a time of real economic danger. The deficit was spiralling out of control, confidence was plummeting, and the world was looking to Britain with growing anxiety about our ability to service our debts. This Government’s most
Thursday
Clown
Clown
Bath
Bath
Hurt
‘I just don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all.’
Poltergeists
‘Most people’s experience of poltergeists is negative but mine has been nothing but pleasant.’
Guests
‘OK...shall we call a cab or are you going to persuade us to stay and sample a bottle of the fine Rioja I spied in the kitchen?’
Encounter
‘I must go or I’ll miss the replacement bus service.’
Pets
‘I just love that little fluffy grey kitten!’ ‘No chance! Just look at those sad big eyes on that gerbil!’