Raging against the nanny state, with Chris Snowdon
The nanny state is on the march across the West, propped up by weak leaders taking their cues from a small group of tedious, moralising activists. It's time they were exposed. Enter the '25 Nanny State Index, compiled by the Institute of Economic Affairs' Chris Snowdon.Will and Chris discuss why 'nanny-stateism' is on the rise, how the UK compares to Europe, and which country wins the ignominious award for Europe's most miserable nanny state.Follow Will Kingston and Fire at Will on social media here.Read The Spectator Australia here.Read The '25 Nanny State Index here.Listen to Last Orders here.
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39:52
The decline and fall of Australia(?), with Joe Hildebrand
Greg Sheridan wrote recently that Australia is a nation in decline. Across every indicator you can imagine – economy, living standards, social cohesion, crime, health, military capability, the creativity and virtuosity of the arts – we’re in serious decline.He's one of many Australian media and political figures worried about the future of the once lucky country. Are they right, and if so what can be done? Will discusses these questions (with the odd detour into Roman history) with journalist Joe Hildebrand. Follow Will Kingston and Fire at Will on social media here.Read The Spectator Australia here.
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58:01
The rise of the 'woke right', with James Lindsay
When classical liberals and conservatives took the fight to the ‘woke left’, many made the mistake of thinking that victory would automatically mark a return to classical liberal and conservative principles. Whilst the battle is not over, it is now clear that it won’t be that simple. In fact, perhaps the greatest achievement of the ‘woke left’ has been its role in the creation of a ‘woke right’.To discuss the troubling phenomenon that has been the talk of Twitter in recent months, Will is joined by author, podcaster, and professional troublemaker, James Lindsay.Follow Will Kingston and Fire at Will on social media here.Read The Spectator Australia here.Visit ‘New Discourses’ here.
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1:07:52
The (not so) lucky country, with Adam Creighton
Australia has often been called the ‘lucky country’. Today, it faces a series of economic, cultural, and geopolitical challenges, seemingly without a political class that is equipped to address them. Has Australia’s luck run out?Will ponders this question with the Chief Economist at the Institute of Public Affairs, and columnist for The Australian, Adam Creighton.Follow Will Kingston and Fire at Will on social media here.Read The Spectator Australia here.
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55:44
BONUS: Will's take on the Australian election, with Nick Dixon
Will was invited back on Nick Dixon's podcast, 'The Current Thing', to discuss the recent Australian election. You can watch the interview on Nick's YouTube channel here.Follow Will Kingston and Fire at Will on social media here.Read The Spectator Australia here.
A safe space for dangerous conversations, from The Spectator Australia. The Spectator is the world’s longest-running magazine of news, arts and ideas. Hosted by Will Kingston.
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