Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The tale of the Cambridge professor, Jason Arday continues, as Michael and Maddie weigh in on the fantasy. How much of a role has Cambridge played in enabling such a serially misleading individual, and how can the university claw back some respectability after this saga? – do they even feel a responsibility to do so?
Maddie asks Michael whether Lucy Powell's broadside at his education reforms has made him nostalgic for the days of Bridget Phillipson.
Also: Michael questions Maddie over recent drama in the political sketch writing world, and whether she will defend Quentin Letts against a backlash from Labour MPs.
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The tale of the Cambridge professor, Jason Arday continues, as Michael and Maddie weigh in on the fantasy. How much of a role has Cambridge played in enabling such a serially misleading individual, and how can the university claw back some respectability after this saga? – do they even feel a responsibility to do so?
Maddie asks Michael whether Lucy Powell's broadside at his education reforms has made him nostalgic for the days of Bridget Phillipson.
Also: Michael questions Maddie over recent drama in the political sketch writing world, and whether she will defend Quentin Letts against a backlash from Labour MPs.
// SUBSCRIBE TO THE SPECTATOR
Get 12 issues for £12, plus a free £20 John Lewis/Waitrose voucher
spectator.co.uk/tvoffer
// FREE PODCASTS FROM THE SPECTATOR
Hear more from The Spectator's journalists on their podcasts, covering everything from the politics of the UK, US and China, to religion, literature, lifestyle and more.
spectator.co.uk/podcasts
// FOLLOW US
twitter.com/spectator
facebook.com/OfficialSpectator
linkedin.com/company/the-spectator
instagram.com/spectator1828
tiktok.com/@thespectatormagazine










