Hello and welcome to the Spectator podcast, which you're listening to via Spectator Radio.

I'm Laura Prendergast, and before we begin with the podcast, just a quick reminder that we've

got a special subscription offer. You can get 12 issues of the Spectator for £12, as well as an

Amazon voucher worth £20 if you go to

spectator.com.com.comfoucher. First up, cometh the hour, cometh the man. On the podcast,

we discussed whether Boris's time has finally come. Is he the man to save the Tories from Nigel Farage?

We talk to his former right-hand man about his chances. We also look at the latest

frontier of political correctness. Can fantasy fiction be racist? And finally, we wonder, why are people

so squeamish about meat these days? First, is Boris Johnson the man to beat in the Tory leadership

contest? This week's cover article, written by James Forsyyth argues that Boris is back, but the biggest

threat to his leadership campaign is himself. In the past, he's been bad at organisation, discipline

and getting other MPs on side. So will this campaign be different? Katie Balls, our deputy

political editor, spoke to James earlier, together with Will Walen, Boris's former advisor and communications director.

James, in this week's cover piece, you say the worst things are for the Tories, the better

they are for Boris Johnson. So looking at the polls, Tories are plummeting, are things looking

up for him? Yes, definitely. I think six months ago you wouldn't have said that he was the front

runner for the Tory leadership. I think he now is. wouldn't have said that he was the front runner for the Tory leadership.

I think he now is. And I think the reason he is is that Tory MPs are looking at the polls. They are looking at the Brexit party, taking a huge chunk out of a Tory vote.

And they are wondering who can win those voters back. And that is leading to a lot of MPs, including some who wouldn't expect to, taking another

look at Boris Johnson.

And there is this argument, you know, if the question is how do you get those voters back, he is the

simplest and most obvious answer to it.

...