Best of the Spectator

In the second part of his conversation with Michael Gove, Rory Stewart defends the most taboo position in British politics: that private schools are worth protecting. He further argues that the only excuse for privilege is living up to its obligations, and that a wealth tax would destroy the idea of public service.
Rory tells Michael what Nigel Farage and Reform UK get wrong about tax, why he disagrees with Peter Thiel on what the wealthy should do with their money, and why Rishi Sunak staying in parliament matters more than anyone noticed.
They also discuss how to get Britain growing, why he is a big fan of building more data centres, and how Rory came to be at peace with 450 new houses being built at the end of his own driveway.
Plus: What he really disagrees with Alastair Campbell about, the writers he cannot stand, and his plans for the future.
You can pre-order Rory's book Middleland now

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In this week's Book Club podcast, Sam Leith is joined by The New Yorker writer Anand Gopal, whose new book, long-listed for the Baillie Gifford Prize, is Days of Love and Rage: A Story of Revolution.

What does freedom mean once the dictator has gone? Anand explains why he spent eight years reporting on Manbij, a city of 150,000 that pushed out the Assad regime and set about building a democracy from scratch – and how the argument over what came next split the revolution in two. They discuss the bubblegum seller who became a protest leader, the police chief who quietly stopped shooting at the crowds, how six outsiders talked their way into control of the city, and why the manuscript was handed in three days before Assad fell.

Produced by Henry Lloyd

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Michael Gove is joined by Rory Stewart, for a conversation he admits would ‘revolt’ his podcasting partner Alastair Campbell.
Rory sets out the migration policy he would impose: every boat he would return to France, how he would cut the number of legal arrivals, and completely rework Britain’s broken asylum system.
Rory argues that the grooming gangs debate is being conducted in bad faith, that migrant communities in Britain tend to assimilate rather than isolate, and that the culture warriors have picked a fight that distracts from Britain’s bigger problems.
Part Two, in which he makes a case for the future of private education and explains how Britain can achieve growth, will be released on Thursday 17th September.
You can pre-order Rory's book Middleland now

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On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tali Fraser delves into why Labour’s socioeconomic duty is attacking the middle classes; John Power tells us how clipping is changing politics, Sophia Money-Coutts muses over which car would best suit her dog; and Angus Colwell spills the beans on Soho’s newest Turkish restaurant.

Produced and presented by Abigail Brierley.

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Andy Burnham has announced his intention to change a law which bars him from advising the King on appointments to the Church of England. The Victorian-era law explicitly bars Catholics like Burnham, as well as Jews – but doesn't prevent those of other Christian denominations, other faiths – like Hindu Rishi Sunak, or atheists like Keir Starmer. So, if the law is going to be changed to address this anomaly, should it allow all Prime Ministers of any faith to provide advice – or should all non-Anglicans be barred? And what does Burnham's interest in the power tell us about his relationship with his faith – and his approach to the job?

The Spectator's James Heale and William Moore join Damian Thompson to discuss.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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