The Spectator was established in 1828, and is the oldest continuously published magazine in the English language. The Spectator’s taste for controversy, however, remains undiminished. There is no party line to which The Spectator’s writers are bound - originality of thought and elegance of expression are the sole editorial constraints.

Latest Issue

All battle, no plan. James Forsyth on the latest Tory madness. Tom Tugendhat interview: the Tories need ‘a generational shift’. He tells Katy Balls and James Forsyth that his generation wants to ‘stop banging on about Europe’ and that the next Conservative leader ought not to be decided by the obsession of a previous generation. The 45-year-old also calls for a combined defence, Foreign Office and DfID budget of 5 per cent of GDP (it’s currently 2.8 per cent). Elizabeth and the Europhiles. Robert Hardman reveals the inside story of the Queen’s 1972 state visit to France, at the peak of Heath’s Europhilia, where government officials sought to put pro-Europe language into her speech without success. ‘It gives me great satisfaction to know that the ties between our two countries are being multiplied,’ the government wanted her to say. She struck out ‘great satisfaction’. ‘I am delighted that our two countries have found this common sense of purpose,’ ministers wanted her to say. This re-emerged from the Palace as ‘I hope that our two countries will find a common sense of purpose’. Rachel Johnson on being sacked. ‘I always regard it as a badge of honour to be sacked. It’s business. In fact, most national newspaper editors have sacked me and then forgotten and tried to rehire me at least once, so I try never take it personally.’ Lionel Shriver: we need to talk about transgenderism. ‘Children and adolescents are making radical, often permanent decisions about their futures that some kids might come to regret. The least we owe them is to talk about it.’ Matthew Parris: Must the ‘will of the people’ always be respected? And can we say, hand on heart, that this is how our democracy works?