The Spectator
| The Spectator link Powerbase Sourcewatch(corporate media,media) | |
|---|---|
| Type | magazine |
| Founded | 1828-07-06 |
| Author(s) | |
| UK magazine supportive of the Conservative Party | |
The Spectator is a weekly British magazine on politics, culture, and current affairs.[1] It was first published in July 1828, thus making it the oldest weekly magazine in the world.[2]
The Spectator is owned by British hedge fund tycoon Sir Paul Marshall, who purchased the magazine for £100 million in September 2024. It was acquired through his company, OQS Media group, part of his growing media portfolio that includes the online publication UnHerd and a major stake in GB News.[3] Previously, it was owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owned The Daily Telegraph newspaper.
The Spectator's principal subject areas are politics and culture. Its editorial outlook is generally supportive of the Conservative Party.
Editors
Editorship of The Spectator has often been a step on the ladder to high office in the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom.
On 25 September 2024, former Conservative MP Michael Gove was appointed as editor of The Spectator, replacing Fraser Nelson, who became associate editor, with Charles Moore becoming non-executive chair to replace Andrew Neil.[4]
Past editors include former PM Boris Johnson (1999–2005) and other former cabinet members Ian Gilmour (1954–1959), Iain Macleod (1963–1965), and Nigel Lawson (1966–1970).
Political ideology and policy positions
The Spectator is politically conservative and supports the Conservative Party. In the past it had liberal leanings: over the course of its first century it supported the Radical wing of the Whigs, the Liberal Party, and the Liberal Unionists, who eventually merged with the Conservatives. As with its sister publication The Daily Telegraph, The Spectator is generally Atlanticist and Eurosceptic in outlook,[5] favouring close ties with the United States rather than with the European Union, and tends to be supportive of Israel.[6] It also strongly opposes Scottish independence.
References
- ↑ https://www.spectator.co.uk/about
- ↑ https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-the-spectator-is-the-world-s-oldest-weekly-magazine
- ↑ "Telegraph sale latest: Newspaper auction continues as Paul Marshall completes Spectator deal"
- ↑ "Michael Gove takes helm in new era for The Spectator"
- ↑ https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/OTH-05-2015-0022/full/html?casa_token=xi9q6Q2XwbAAAAAA:0i7wmojzIjiUcSObVpfrRCEYscoLazNSaDjYIWf5ogToZbptS33mYsnZfsxcecyHo_ahzB3wW6BF_2DUi93vTwmuSdAdwly5t9EM_mLZRV1JWyp4kck
- ↑ https://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/12/two-faced-on-israel/