The Edition: Benefits Britain, mental health & what’s the greatest artwork of the 21st Century?

<p>‘Labour is now the party of welfare, not work’&nbsp;argues Michael Simmons in the&nbsp;<em>Spectator</em>’s cover article this week. The question ‘why should I bother with work?’ is becoming harder to answer, following last week’s Budget which could come to define this Labour government. A smaller and smaller cohort of people are being asked to shoulder the burden – what do our Spectator contributors think of this?&nbsp;</p><br><p>For this week’s&nbsp;<em>Edition</em>, host Lara Prendergast is joined by opinion editor Rupert Hawksley, arts editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic and columnist Matthew Parris. Rupert points out the perceived lack of fairness across the Budget, Matthew thinks we shouldn’t be surprised that a Labour government delivered a Labour Budget and Igor makes the case that artists thrive as a consequence of an inefficient state.</p><br><p>As well as the cover, they discuss: the compassionate balance needed on mental health; how society seems to be approaching a ‘climbdown’ over climate change; the best party tricks they’ve seen; and finally, their reflections on Tom Stoppard, following his death at the weekend.</p><br><p>Plus: what is the greatest artwork of the 21st century so far – and how should we define it? The columnists discuss our various submissions from Christian Marclay’s&nbsp;<em>The Clock,</em>&nbsp;television show&nbsp;<em>Succession,&nbsp;</em>album&nbsp;<em>Original Pirate Material&nbsp;</em>by The Streets<em>&nbsp;–&nbsp;</em>and even the Just Stop Oil movement.</p><br><p>Produced by Patrick Gibbons.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>