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Hello and welcome to the edition podcast from The Spectator, where each week we shed a little light on the thought process behind putting the world's oldest weekly magazine to bed.

I'm Laura Prendergast, the Spectator's executive editor.

And I'm Gus Carter, the Spectator's Deputy Features Editor.

This week we look at the latest analysis on the general election.

We look at the rise of the political

sub-influences on social media, and we look at why the West should pay more attention

to what China's up to with regards to the moon.

So, Lara, we're speaking on Thursday morning. The magazine went to press yesterday afternoon. And our cover line is wannabes. Are any of them ready looking at the different leaders of the political parties in this election? Can you talk us through the thought process behind that decision?

Sure. Well, it's obviously a week on from when the election was announced, which seemed to surprise everyone, us included, although we did manage to get out new cover pretty quickly, which was pretty impressive.

This week, Katie looks at where all the party leaders are at in terms of what's been announced and what approaches they seem to be taking.

We've got Rishi dressed up in his military gear, shooting himself in the foot. We've got Kirstama wrapped up in the Union Jack. We've got Rishi dressed up in his military gear, shooting himself in the foot.

We've got Kirstarmer wrapped up in the Union Jack.

We've got Richard Tice clutching a bottle of Rosey whilst Farage heads off to America.

So, yes, a sort of overview, I'd say, really.

To discuss further, we are joined by Katie Balls, our political editor, to tell us more.

Katie, you write the cover piece this week and you look at what's been happening in the week

since the general election was called.

The timing was obviously something of a surprise for everyone, us included.

...