The Edition: Will Andy drill deep for oil & gas – and is Bayeux in Britain as good as it gets?

The Edition: Will Andy drill deep for oil & gas – and is Bayeux in Britain as good as it gets?

Author: The Spectator September 12, 2026 Duration: 35:44

William Moore is joined by The Spectator's economics editor Michael Simmons, The Spectator's commissioning editor and writer at large Tali Fraser, and the Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party Alex Burghart MP.


This week: has Labour stopped just stopping oil? Michael reveals that ministers are expected to approve the Jackdaw gas field within days, while Rosebank is held back until after the by-election in Keir Starmer's old seat – and asks whether a party whose last energy secretary called the project 'climate vandalism' has really changed its mind, or has just found a half measure it can live with.


Also: is Britain about to get a new social order? Tali examines the socio-economic duty, a dormant clause of the Equality Act that Labour now plans to switch on, requiring public bodies to weigh social background in every decision they make. The panel discuss what that would mean for school admissions, NHS waiting lists and potholes. Is this equality of outcome by the back door – or simply a charter for lawyers?


Plus: after 900 years, is the Bayeux Tapestry worth the wait?


Produced by Henry Lloyd.


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
The Book Club: Simon Sebag Montefiore – The Cauldron [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:22
My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is Simon Sebag Montefiore, the author of a number of fantastic books, including The Cauldron, which released this week. Simon and I talk about the making of the modern middle eas…
Americano: Just how bad are polls for the Republicans? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:26
Freddy Gray is joined by James Johnson, co-founder of JL Partners, on why the midterms are looking increasingly grim for the Republicans. Trump's approval is trending down, the war is dragging on it, and James expects di…
Holy Smoke: why Quentin Letts fears for the parish church [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:51
Is the Church of England slowly abolishing the parish priest? A new model of ‘oversight ministry’ promises team-based leadership and a greater role for lay volunteers – but critics fear it will leave priests increasingly…
Coffee House Shots: Andy's report card | with Baroness Debbonaire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:27
One month on from Andy Burnham entering Downing Street and a lot has changed at the top of government. Starmer's old guard have been reshuffled or replaced, and Burnham's government have announced dozens of new projects,…
Holy Smoke: Wandering bishops, rival popes & schismatic churches [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:49
What happens when a bishop breaks with Rome but still claims apostolic succession? Damian Thompson is joined by historian Magnus Lundberg, Professor of Church and Mission History at Uppsala University in Sweden, to explo…