The Edition: has Reform UK lost its magic? | with Quentin Letts

The Edition: has Reform UK lost its magic? | with Quentin Letts

Author: The Spectator September 4, 2026 Duration: 34:01

Lara Prendergast is joined by The Spectator’s political editor Tim Shipman, columnist and journalist Melanie McDonagh, and the Daily Mail’s parliamentary sketchwriter Quentin Letts.

This week: has Reform UK lost its magic? Ahead of the party’s conference, Tim reveals its plans for the first 100 days of a Reform government – and asks whether Nigel Farage can persuade voters that his party is ready to govern after a turbulent summer.

Also: what is happening in Middlesbrough? The panel discuss rising gang violence, the decline of visible policing and a generation of young men who appear increasingly indifferent to the law. Is social breakdown to blame – or has Britain simply lost its respect for authority?

Plus: what can Britain learn from Norway’s royals?

Produced by Henry Lloyd and Oscar Edmondson.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each day, Best of the Spectator offers a curated selection from the wider world of Spectator audio, bringing sharp conversation and thoughtful analysis directly to your headphones. This isn't a single-topic show but a daily dispatch from the front lines of ideas, where politics, culture, and society intersect. You'll hear from the magazine's writers and a host of intriguing guests as they debate current affairs, delve into the nuances of religion, explore the latest in literature, and even share opinions on food and drink. The pace is brisk and the perspectives are unapologetically considered, providing a substantive alternative to the fleeting noise of the news cycle. By compiling the most engaging discussions from their stable of podcasts, The Spectator ensures there's always a fresh, worthwhile listen. Tune in for the kind of witty, informed, and often provocative commentary that has defined the magazine for generations. This podcast serves as your daily audio digest of everything worth talking about, delivered with intellectual vigor and a dash of British flair. It’s a consistent source for those who prefer their commentary to be both timely and timeless.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Best of the Spectator
Podcast Episodes
Americano: the truth about Xi & Trump’s summit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:10
In this episode of Americano, Freddie Gray speaks with Dr. Edward Howell, an Oxford University lecturer in international relations, about the high-stakes summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, examining Beijing’s st…
The Edition: should Burnham call a snap general election? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:05
For this week’s Edition, William Moore is joined by the Spectator’s deputy editor Freddy Gray, commissioning editor Lara Brown and deputy political editor James Heale.This week: will Andy Burnham call an early general el…
The Book Club: John Sellars – Stoicism Is Not What You Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:12
In this week’s Book Club podcast, Sam Leith is joined by philosopher John Sellars to discuss his new book, Stoicism Is Not What You Think.Sellars explores the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and challenges some of its mos…
Quite right!: the battle over Diana’s legacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:34
On this week’s episode of Quite right!: Earl Spencer's new memoir, Swan Song, has drawn a rare direct response from Buckingham Palace. Michael and Maddie weigh up the book's most salacious charges against the King, and a…
Reality Check: the AI apocalypse is just good marketing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:20
Some whistleblowers from the AI industry claim there is a more than 10% chance that artificial intelligence could wipe out humanity within a few years. A group of mostly Labour MPs has written to Andy Burnham calling for…
Americano: Steve Bannon on the AI extinction threat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:14
is episode of Americano, Freddy Gray speaks with Steve Bannon – former White House chief strategist for Donald Trump - about the ideological convergence between national populists and progressive Leftists as they confron…