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...
Politics shouldn’t be a team sport, but it has become one. Far too many of us blindly support politicians or parties as opposed to critically assessing ideas and policies. Where has this tribalism come from, how has it got so bad, and what do we do about it? To help Will answer those questions, he is joined by comedian, political satirist and author, Andrew Heaton. Andrew's new book is titled, "Tribalism is Dumb: Where It Came from, How It Got So Bad, and What to Do about It.”Follow Will Kingston and Fire at Will on social media here.Read The Spectator Australia here.
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1:03:18
The definitive guide to the German election, with Ralph Schoellhammer
The Economist recently described Germany as "the hole at the heart of Europe". That’s a reasonable description, particularly given it accounts for a quarter of the EU’s output, but it has been in recession for the past two years. Another way to look at it is that Germany is a representation of Europe, and all of its challenges. Mass migration has ripped at the social fabric, with devastating consequences. Bureaucracy has strangled growth. Widespread discontent has given rise to right wing populist politics. And it can no longer rely on American security to make up for its own defence deficiencies.The Germans will go to the polls next week. To discuss what it will mean for the country, and for Europe, Will is joined by the Head of The Centre for Applied History at MCC Budapest, and host of the Hammer Time podcast and YouTube show, Dr Ralph Schoellhammer.
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1:03:15
The myth of free speech in Britain, with Winston Marshall
Whilst illiberal progressivism (or woke for short) appears to be in retreat, what will take its place is an open question. The right in the UK has splintered, Europe is still being suffocated by the weight of the leftist social democratic model, free speech is under assault in Australia (as it is pretty much everywhere), and whilst the Republicans are resurgent in the US, Trump’s brand of economic protectionism would have been anathema to the American right in years gone by. To discuss the future of conservatism, free speech, and Western civilisation, Will is joined by Mumford and Sons alumni and host of The Winston Marshall Show, Winston Marshall.Follow Will Kingston and Fire at Will on social media here.Read The Spectator Australia here.Subscribe to The Winston Marshall Show here.
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53:14
The Reform revolution, with Rupert Lowe
There’s an interesting historical pattern in British politics, and you can see it in various shapes and forms since the days of William the Conqueror. About once every century, there is a realignment that completely changes the nature of politics in the country. The last great realignment was the 1922 election, with the Liberal Party falling to third-party status, the Conservatives establishing themselves as the largest party in Parliament, and Labour emerging as the undisputed opposition party.103 years later, all the conditions are in place for another political revolution. A feeling of decline across the country, two weak major parties, and a populist alternative that is rapidly climbing in the polls. That alternative is the Reform party, led by Nigel Farage. To discuss whether Reform will be a perpetual irritant or a potential government, Will is joined by one of Reform’s five MPs, and its Business and Agriculture Spokesman, Rupert Lowe.Follow Will Kingston and Fire at Will on social media here.Read The Spectator Australia here.
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42:22
We cannot tax and spend our way to growth, with Jon Moynihan
The UK economy is structurally buggered (to use a technical term). Decades of economic mismanagement has caused growth to grind to a halt. To discuss if, and how, it can be turned around, Will chats to Jon Moynihan.Jon has had an esteemed career in business and venture capital, including as CEO and Executive Chairman of PA Consulting Group, efforts which earned him a seat in the House of Lords. He has recently released a powerful two-volume manifesto for economic change, titled ‘Return to Growth: How to Fix the Economy'.Follow Will Kingston and Fire at Will on social media here.Read The Spectator Australia here.Buy 'Return to Growth' 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.
Australia