The Critic Show

In this month’s magazine breakdown, Tom is joined by The Critic editor Graham Stewart and Charlotte Gill, author of this month’s cover piece. Charlotte examines how public money is distributed across the charity sector, questioning whether some taxpayer-funded organisations are working in opposition to the government’s stated aims on immigration and asylum. The discussion also explores the growing emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion in funding decisions, and whether these priorities are being placed ahead of merit and measurable outcomes. Charlotte reveals the scale of public funding involved, which organisations receive it, and the causes being supported by taxpayers’ money. Graham also talks us through some other highlights in this month’s issue, which is out now and available for consumption! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Hill and Tom Jones are joined by former lobby journalist Rob Hutton, who, having attended both the Tory and Reform conferences, looks at the parallels and divisions between the two parties of the right. Journalists seem to be increasingly obsessed with the ‘mood’ at conference, rather than the actual words politicians and policymakers use or the policies they promise to deliver, as party members increasingly become audiences rather than activists. With Reform’s spectacular rise, are the more traditional Conservative circles starting to shrink? And do the Conservatives really understand who their voters actually are? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Critics Show , Chris Bayliss is joined by Harry Wilkinson, Head of Policy at the Global Warming Policy Foundation, to examine growing public scepticism towards net zero and the reasons behind it. Moving beyond the question of whether support for net zero is waning, Harry explores how the Government could communicate its policies more effectively and make them more relevant to the public. As more of Britain’s economy becomes electrified, the resilience of the electricity grid is increasingly critical. The discussion examines the often-overlooked costs of renewable energy generation and the infrastructure needed to support it. Ultimately, the question is not simply whether Britain should decarbonise, but how it should do so — and at what cost to the British taxpayer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Critic, Tom and Chris are joined by economist Andrew Lilico to discuss government finance, free markets and the growing role of the state in the economy. Andrew challenges the idea that governments can finance projects more cheaply than private companies, arguing that this misunderstands the realities of government borrowing and creates misleading arguments about the benefits of state intervention. They discuss the history of price controls, particularly in the water and electricity sectors, and why water companies have become such an easy target in the public debate. Andrew also considers whether Ofwat has really lost control, the expansion of quangos under New Labour, and the political logic behind creating the appearance of independent expert oversight. Finally, they examine Labour’s short-term political incentives, the dangers of government bailouts and the distortions created when lenders believe the state will always step in. For the full episode make sure to subscribe at www.outpoststudios.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Tom welcomes The Critic editor Graham Stewart and guest Fred de Fossard to discuss the October issue of The Critic . Listeners are walked through a preview of a profile of Roger Hallam which features in the print issue, as well as discussing the cover piece which talks about the figure behind Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion. Fred then explains asylum reform, tracing the system from the 1951 Refugee Convention’s postwar European focus through its 1967 expansion into a global framework. He reflects on decolonisation, international law, and refugee movements of the 1980s and 1990s. All that and much more, make sure to subscribe below, and share if you enjoyed this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform’s fortunes are changing, while the Conservatives face a difficult balancing act: keeping older voters onside while finding a compelling offer for younger generations. On this week’s Critics Show, Chris Bayliss is joined by Henry Hill and Scarlett Maguire to untangle the confusing web of where voters’ loyalties really lie in a political landscape defined by fragmentation on the right and disappointment on the left. They discuss Scarlett’s latest research, which suggests Reform has been in decline since earlier this year, while also examining the rise of younger right-wing parties such as Restore. Henry and Chris also talk to Scarlett about the Conservative–Liberal Democrat contest and what shifting voter loyalties could mean for the political landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Boris Starling is joined by journalist, writer and film critic Jason Solomons for a wide-ranging conversation about football, management, culture and cinema. The episode begins with Arsène Wenger and the extraordinary impact he had on English football. Boris and Jason explore how Wenger helped change the way the modern game was managed, bringing new ideas around nutrition, fitness, preparation and player welfare to the Premier League. They discuss his belief in understanding players as individuals, not simply as footballers, and how his attention to their personalities, habits and development helped establish a very different model of management. From Wenger’s influence, the conversation opens out into a broader discussion about football, its culture and the way the game has evolved, both on and off the pitch. What can football managers learn from other worlds, and how much has the modern game changed as a result of the ideas Wenger introduced? Finally, the conversation moves from football to film, with Jason talking about his upcoming film projects, his work as a critic and what audiences can look forward to next. For the full episode, head to https://www.outpoststudios.net/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Critic Show, Tom Jones and Henry Hill are joined by The Critic’s editor, Graham Stewart, to explore the magazine’s bumper Summer Double Issue. Graham takes us through the issue’s highlights, including a major summer books bonanza, meanwhile over in the sport section, Boris Starling’s looks at what happened to England’s 1966 World Cup heroes. The issue also features some important reposting concerning the continuing controversy around the Government’s digital ID plans, and David Shipley’s investigation into the crisis at the Atheneum Club. Henry Hill then walks listeners thought his cover story: is Andy Burnham really the “new Boris Johnson”? Henry examines the striking parallels between the two politicians, from media-driven politics and North-South rhetoric to the promise of devolution without confronting its difficult trade-offs. Tom, Henry and Graham discuss Burnham’s political honeymoon, the looming realities of his first budget, the prospects of an early general election, Reform UK’s growing strength, and whether the idea of “Manchesterism” has any substance at all. Read the Summer Double Issue and listen to the full conversation on The Critic Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Critic Show, Tom is joined by our online editor, Ben Sixsmith and classics scholar and Antigone editor, David Butterfield, to discuss why ancient Greece and Rome are enjoying a remarkable revival. They examine how classical education became wrongly associated with elitism, and why classical literature is having a renaissance within a culture which is, seemingly, addicted to phones. The conversation explores the modern appeal of Stoicism, its popularity among young men and the danger of reducing ancient philosophy to simplistic lifestyle advice. David explains what figures such as Plato, Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius and Plutarch can teach us about human nature, politics and virtue, before considering whether today’s renewed interest in the classics will become a lasting cultural revival. David ends his personal recommendation for your classical reading fix, which is the poet and philosopher Lucretius. We hope you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to let us know what you think, and subscribe to never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Critic Show, Henry and Tom are joined by Seb Milbank to discuss the Home Office’s Research, Information and Communications Unit, otherwise known as RICU, and the growing suspicion that the British state has tried to shape public narratives after acts of violence involving immigrant communities. Seb gives listeners an insider explanation on explains how the unit operates, and the intricacies of the counter-terrorism and national security, why Freedom of Information requests so often hit a wall. The podcast explores how, increasingly, journalists, PR agencies and government departments can end up working together to manage political fall out by bending the truths we live by. The conversation ranges from the 2014 Sun front page on Islamic State to family statements after recent killings, the response to Manchester Arena, Martin’s Law, social media regulation, and the wider collapse of trust in British institutions. They also discuss why big, archaic institutions in Britain are now failing so visibly that the old social contract is breaking down. What happens when people no longer believe in a state that can protect them? Don’t forget to subscribe at www.outpoststudios.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Critic Show , Chris Bayliss and Henry Hill are joined by Emma Schubert of the Henry Jackson Society to ask whether Britain is becoming a sectarian country. Emma discusses her research into the rise of Muslim sectarian politics in English local elections, explaining how she has created a model to help identify some of the predictors of sectarian candidates’ success. The panel explores Labour’s long miscalculation over communal voting, and whether Britain risks importing the kind of entrenched bloc politics seen in Northern Ireland. They also discuss what this fragmentation could mean for the next general election, and what is being done to prevent further corruption. Don't forget to subscribe at www.outpoststudios.net https://www.youtube.com/@TheCritic_Show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month Critic wine columnist Henry Jeffreys talks to Daniel Grigg from Museum Wines in Salisbury about The Critic Wine Club’s latest South African selection. Henry and Daniel discuss why South African wine has changed so dramatically in recent years, from the dull pub reds and insipid whites of old to some of the most exciting bottles now being made anywhere in the world. They explore the country’s new generation of winemakers, the rise of serious Chenin Blanc and Cinsault, and why South Africa offers such remarkable value compared with Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne. Together they taste three wines: a textured Sauvignon Blanc from Hazendal, a fuller, food-friendly Pinot Noir rosé, and a sensational old-vine Cinsault from Darling. Expect sharp opinions, good stories, and plenty of enthusiasm for a country whose wines are firmly on the up. For the full episode, follow the link below: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCritic_Show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of Starling on Sport, Boris is joined by Jack Davey to look ahead to this year’s Tour de France and ask whether anyone can realistically stop Tadej Pogačar. They discuss Pogačar’s astonishing season, and the threat posed by Jonas Vingegaard, as well as turning an eye onto the emergence of French prodigy Paul Seixas. Boris and Jack also explore the tactics, team dynamics and brutal mountain stages that could decide the race, as well as the Tour’s changing identity — from its French roots to its increasingly global, corporate future. Their is also an inevitable question that still hangs over the sport as performance becomes more and more enhanced: can fans trust what they are watching? If you likes this episode, don’t forget to subscribe for more of the best commentary on upcoming sports at www.outpoststudios.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Critic Show , Lord David Frost joins Tom and Graham Stewart to mark ten years since Brexit and ask what really went wrong, and ask what might be on the cards next. Frost challenges the familiar claim that voters were misled in 2016, arguing instead that Brexit was always about Britain’s right to govern itself from Westminster rather than Brussels. Frost warns that unless the Right makes the case for national independence again, Britain risks becoming a rule-taker without ever formally rejoining. Plus, Graham gives a preview of the July issue of The Critic , from the Home Office’s secretive messaging machine to politics, culture, music and more. Thanks for watching, and if you want more premium content, don’t forget to like, share and subscribe at www.outpoststudios.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Critic Show, Henry and Chris are joined by James Crouch, Head of Public Affairs at Opinium, to discuss Britain’s strange new economic settlement: not quite capitalism, not quite socialism, but a system increasingly built around caps, freezes and government guarantees. Drawing on Opinium’s research into public attitudes, they explore why voters now instinctively reach for price controls on energy, council tax, groceries and rent, and why such policies are politically easy to introduce but almost impossible to remove. They ask whether Britain has become a zero-sum economy, why younger voters no longer feel capitalism is delivering for them, and whether any political party has a credible way out. For more content like this please subscribe, and don’t forget to share, like and comment at www.outpoststudios.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Critic wine writer Henry Jeffreys talks to Olivia Manet from Corney & Barrow about the latest Critic Wine Club selection: three summer wines chosen for freshness, value and drinkability. Olivia explains how she got into the wine trade, Corney & Barrow’s long history, and why great wine does not always have to mean grand cru prices. Henry and Olivia taste a mountain-fresh Pinot Grigio from Friuli, a pale but flavour-packed Provence rosé, and a joyful Fleurie from Beaujolais, all ideal for summer drinking, barbecues, light lunches and long evenings. Thanks for watching. For more Critic podcasts, make sure to subscribe to Outpost at www.outpoststudios.net To order the delicious wines Olivia and Henry are drinking, follow the link below: https://thecritic.co.uk/wine-club/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Critic Show, Tom Jones is joined by Sam Butler, vice chairman of the Future of Hunting campaign, to discuss Labour’s proposed ban on trail hunting and what Butler sees as a wider assault on the countryside. They look back at the 2004 Hunting Act, the creation of trail hunting, and the argument that a new ban would do little for animal welfare while threatening thousands of hounds, rural jobs and the social fabric built around hunts, point-to-points, pubs, farriers, vets and farming communities. The conversation then widens into the politics of rural Britain: family farm tax, land use, net zero, shooting, fishing, housing, private property and the failure of successive governments to take the countryside seriously. Butler argues that rural communities are tired of being treated as a political football, while Tom asks whether the battle over hunting has become part of a deeper fight over civil liberties, land ownership and the future of the political right. Full episode linked below https://www.outpoststudios.net/p/the-great-trail-debate Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share and subscribe. See you next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Critic Show , Tom Jones and Chris Bayliss are joined by Charles Cornish-Dale to discuss modern masculinity, the rise of the “alpha male”, and the cultural influence of Andrew Tate. Are declining testosterone levels something to be concerned about? What does this mean for our politics? In our medicated society, the contraceptive pill and SSRIs are ever more common — but what are their effects on mental health, relationships, libido and fertility, as well as their possible role in wider demographic trends and declining birth rates? Our alpha males also touch on the political Left, asking why countercultural politics continue to attract people seeking meaning, identity and a sense of excitement in an increasingly fragmented society. For the full episode, go tohttps://www.outpoststudios.net/s/the-critic-show And don’t forget to like, share and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Critic Show , Chris Bayliss and Tom Jones are joined by William Clouston, leader of the SDP, to discuss his paper From an Entitlement State to an Investment State . Britain has moved from a state that invests in its future to one increasingly dominated by pensions, welfare and benefits. Since the 1970s, public spending has shifted dramatically: investment in infrastructure has fallen, while entitlement spending has soared. The result, he says, has been collapsing productivity, stagnation and a country less able to build, grow or renew itself. Are Britain’s present problems are downstream of decades of poor statecraft, weak leadership and bad policy decisions? Watch to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Critic Show , Tom Jones and Chris Bayliss are joined by historian and columnist Dominic Green to discuss his latest piece for The Critic , exploring the conflict between empire and republic. Dominic argues that it is better to see the United States not as a settled European-style nation state, but as a perpetually evolving republic whose moments of upheaval, from Andrew Jackson to Donald Trump, are a continuation of the dynamism it has always possessed, rather than a sign of impending collapse. On British foreign policy, as tensions in the Gulf continue to alternate between uneasy hostility and all-out war, Britain must reconcile its increasingly uncertain position between Washington and Brussels. Does Britain risk sinking its alliance with the United States in pursuit of a stagnant European project? https://www.outpoststudios.net/s/the-critic-show And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.