The Spectator

Weasel

From our UK edition

‘Apparently, that is the way the money goes, gentlemen. The weasel has popped!’

Critic

From our UK edition

‘You two will have so much to talk about. You’re a debut novelist and Quentin here is a debut book critic.’

Sand

From our UK edition

‘I suggested a “sand castle” but he wanted to make a “sand iPhone”.’

Hugh

From our UK edition

‘A state of true harmony can only be achieved when all Hugh Grant’s needs are satisfied.’

Letters | 11 April 2013

From our UK edition

Health tourists must pay Sir: The extent of the use made by non-entitled patients from abroad (‘International Health Service’, 6 April) should come as no surprise. This increasing stream of information demonstrating the volume and variation will cause even louder gasps and shock. The NHS is the standard-bearer of the politics of equality and, like

Mrs T’s unfinished business

From our UK edition

Soon after Margaret Thatcher was elected leader of the Conservative party she came for lunch at The Spectator and our then proprietor, Henry Keswick, wanted to offer his congratulations — and his advice. It was time to crush the trades unions, he told her. ‘Mr Keswick,’ she replied. ‘You have spent the past 14 years