The Spectator Podcast

As the UK and the EU both set out what they want to get in the upcoming trade negotiations, are they heading for an almighty Brexit showdown (00:40)? We also have a look at the constitutional reforms proposed by Guinea's president Alpha Condé, and how he has succumbed to 'African Strongman Syndrome' (18:05). Plus, are dog owners treating their pets like babies (30:15)?With James Forsyth, Peter Foster, Colin Freeman, Alex Vines, Melissa Kite and Stuart Simons.Presented by Cindy Yu.Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

There are now a million undocumented - or ‘illegal’ - immigrants in Britain, many of them settled here with families. When Boris Johnson edited The Spectator, he argued that an amnesty should be offered to those who have been here for a long time. He retained the policy as London Mayor. Is it now time for him to implement it? Would such an amnesty be a bold expression of liberal conservatism - or a dangerous weakening of Britain’s borders and security?Hear Fraser Nelson and Kate Andrews, the Spectator's Economics Correspondent, debate David Goodhart, head of immigration at Policy Exchange, and Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK.Moderated by Katy Balls.

The dust has still not settled after Pope Francis unexpectedly – and very pointedly – ignored pleas from liberal Catholics to ordain married men as priests. They had a fully worked-out plan in place, but the Pope had pressed the 'delete' button. So what happened?With Vatican expert Dr Ed Condon, Washington bureau chief of the Catholic News Agency and a canon lawyer.Holy Smoke is a series of podcasts where Damian Thompson dissects the most important and controversial topics in world religion, with a range of high profile guests. Click here to find previous episodes.

With Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.Presented by Cindy Yu.Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click here to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.

Jon Atashroo is Head Chef at the Tate Modern, whose culinary career began with proving dough on a radiator at university. His latest creation is a tasting menu inspired by the Tate's upcoming Andy Warhol exhibition, featuring dishes such as Coca Cola Jelly and Tuna Fish Disaster. On the podcast, he talks to Olivia and Lara about his Persian sweet tooth, how a degree in economics influenced his culinary career, and bringing artists like Picasso and Olafur Eliasson to the Tate restaurant menu.Table Talk is a series of podcasts where Lara Prendergast and Olivia Potts talk to celebrity guests about their life story, through the food and drink that has come to define it. Listen to past episodes here.

Thérèse Coffey is the MP for Suffolk Coastal and the work and pensions secretary. On the podcast, she talks about her famous karaoke parties, the importance of her Catholic faith to her, and that picture from one Spectator party.Women With Balls is a podcast series where Katy Balls speak to women at the top of their respective games. To hear past episodes, visit spectator.co.uk/balls.

This week, has Mike Bloomberg blown his presidential hopes with a disastrous TV debate (00:50)? Plus, has the BBC really gone downhill (12:05)? And last, Toby Young reveals all about his first stand up comedy gig (26:30).With Freddy Gray, Bill Barnard, Douglas Murray, Claire Fox, Toby Young, and Andy Shaw.Presented by Cindy Yu.

This week Sam's guest on the Book Club podcast is the journalist Ed West, whose new book Small Men On The Wrong Side of History (published next month by Constable) asks whether the long and honourable history of conservative thought is doomed. Have liberals won the day? Why are their guys cooler than our guys? And how conservative is the current government anyway?The Book Club, what used to be known as Spectator Books, is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor. Hear past episodes here.

Julia Hartley-Brewer is a journalist and TalkRadio host. On the podcast, she talks to Benedict and Andy about Philip Schofield, British things, and why the Democrats just can't get rid of Trump.That's Life is a sideways look at the events, people, words and ideas that shape the news agenda. Presented by Spectator Life’s satirist Andy Shaw and political commentator Benedict Spence. Find previous episodes here.

With Stephen Bush, Political Editor at the New Statesman, and Katy Balls.Presented by Cindy Yu.Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click here to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.

This week, as Sinn Fein enters coalition talks with Fianna Fail, is Ireland’s election result a sign of a European trend (00:40)? Plus, No 10 is going to war over the deportation of a number of Jamaican detainees – so is citizenship a privilege, or a right (15:40)? And last, what makes South Korea’s pop culture quite so successful (29:15)?With Fraser Nelson, Anne McElvoy, Bella Sankey, Mercy Muroki, Rana Mitter and Andrew Heskins.Presented by Lara Prendergast.Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

Sam's guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is Olivia Fane — who argues in her new book Why Sex Doesn’t Matter that, well, sex doesn’t matter. She says that the idea that sex and love are related is a damaging twentieth-century invention, and that if we could just recognise that sex was no more significant than scratching an itch we’d all be wiser and happier. They talk about how she reaches that conclusion — and what, if she’s right, we ought to do about it.The Book Club, what used to be known as Spectator Books, is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor.

With Amber Athey, Spectator USA's Washington Editor, and Matt McDonald, Spectator USA's Managing Editor.Americano is a series of in-depth discussions on American politics with the best pundits stateside. Presented by Freddy Gray, editor of Spectator USA. Click here to listen to previous episodes.

Skye Gyngell is an Australian chef best known for her work as food editor for Vogue and for winning a Michelin star at the Petersham Nurseries Cafe. She is now the founder of Spring at Somerset House and the culinary director of Heckfield Place. On the podcast, she talks to Lara and Livvy about being subjected to a 'macro-biotic' diet as a child, how winning a Michelin star wasn't such a blessing for Petersham Nurseries, and how a 20th century Austrian philosopher influences her work now.Table Talk is a series of podcasts where Lara Prendergast and Olivia Potts talk to celebrity guests about their life story, through the food and drink that has come to define it. Listen to past episodes here.

In February 1945, the Allies, led by Sir Arthur Harris and Bomber Command, destroyed the historic city of Dresden, killing 25,000, most of them civilians. For the 75th anniversary, Sinclair McKay, author of the newly released Dresden: The Fire and The Darkness, talks to A.N. Wilson on whether it should be regarded as a war crime. The full conversation is here - and you can read an edited version in the magazine this week.Presented by William Moore.

Ayesha Hazarika is a journalist and comedian, and a former Labour advisor to Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband. On the podcast, she talks about growing up in Glasgow, vetting Ed Miliband for Prime Minister's Questions, and the stand-up jokes that bombed the most.Women With Balls is a podcast series where Katy Balls speak to women at the top of their respective games. To hear past episodes, visit spectator.co.uk/balls.

In the aftermath of the Streatham attack, we take a look at how our prisons became finishing schools for extremists (00:40). Plus, what on earth happened in the Iowa caucus (11:25)? And last, is there anything true in the stories about Calamity Jane (22:50)?With James Forsyth, Haras Rafiq, Freddy Gray, Karin Robinson, and Karen R Jones.Presented by Lara Prendergast and Cindy Yu.Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

This week's Book Club stars the food historian and broadcaster Annie Gray, whose new book Victory In The Kitchen excavates the life and world of Georgina Landemare - Winston Churchill's cook. From the shifting roles of household servants, and the insane food of the Edwardian rich - everything jellied and moulded and forced through sieves - to the inventive ways that haute cuisine responded to rationing, Georgina's is a story that gives a fascinating new insight into 20th century culture and society. Annie makes the case that without Georgina's cooking, Churchill might never have achieved the political success he did. Hear what Andrew Roberts got wrong, how Churchill simultaneously saved his cook's life and ruined pudding, and what's wrong with Woolton Pie. Allergy warning: contains jellied consomme, plover's eggs, roast beef and stilton.The Book Club, what used to be known as Spectator Books, is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry thro

The UK’s aviation industry has today pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. But how can it achieve this goal, while also matching Britain’s post-Brexit ambitions on connectivity and trade? One major reform could be the modernisation of British airspace, to make flight routes more fuel-efficient. On this podcast, Kate Andrews talks to a panel of experts on what modernisation means, the pitfalls along the way, and its impact on climate change and trade.With Mark Swan, Head of the Airspace Change Organising Group, Conor Burns, Minister of State for International Trade; and David Learmount, veteran aviation journalist.Sponsored by Our Future Skies.

With James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson.Presented by Katy Balls.Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click here to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.