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Drugs and hypocrisy in the moral maze

June 13, 2019June 13, 2019 Melaniedrugs, hypocrisy, Michael Gove, Moral Maze

On BBC Radio 4’s Moral Maze last night, we discussed hypocrisy in the wake of Michael Gove’s admission that he had used cocaine on a number of occasions some two decades ago. Since many leading politicians have admitted using illegal drugs at some stage in their lives, should they all be condemned? Isn’t this to set the bar of behaviour impossibly high? Or is it only right that any person in a position of authority who has shown a contempt for the law should suffer the consequences? And is hypocrisy…

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In the Moral Maze with art and the transgressive artist

March 8, 2019March 8, 2019 Melanieart, BBC, Michael Jackson, Moral Maze

On BBC RAdio’s The Moral Maze this week, Claire Fox, Matthew Taylor, Anne McElvoy and I discussed art and the artist. Can their moral worth be separated? Our peg was “Leaving Neverland”, a two-part TV documentary which detailed child sex abuse claims against the singer Michael Jackson (whether Jackson’s music can be termed “art” is debatable, but anyway). The renewed allegations have prompted a debate about whether we should stop listening to his music. Some believe a boycott takes an important moral stand against the late singer’s alleged crimes. To…

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Two podcasts: with The Trumpet and the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies

March 1, 2019March 1, 2019 MelanieFoundation for the Defence of Democracies, Ireland, podcasts, Trumpet

I have done two recent podcasts. The first was with The Trumpet, the media outlet of the Philadelphia Church of God, which kindly interviewed me about my memoir, Guardian Angel, and my novel, The Legacy. You can listen to the podcast here. The second was with Cliff May of the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies in which we discussed the recent moves by the Irish parliament, the Dail, to institute an Israel boycott, and what this tells us about Ireland and its attitude towards the Jewish people. You can listen…

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Decolonising the curriculum in the moral maze

February 14, 2019 Melaniecurriculum, decolonisation, Moral Maze

A report commissioned by the Office for Students has recommended that universities should “decolonise” the curriculum to end the dominance of western values and beliefs, which “position anything non-European and not white as inferior.” The “decolonisers’” argument is that a “white” curriculum marginalises minority writers and alienates minority students, contributing to their low representation and attainment in higher education. Some university departments have been reassessing their reading lists accordingly. Critics warn, however, that this promotes tokenism, presenting the works of black or female thinkers as being of equal worth merely…

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How Giles Fraser got under my skin

February 14, 2019February 14, 2019 MelanieConfessions, Giles Fraser, Unherd

Giles Fraser is a turbulent priest. The left-wing rector of a church in south London, he is also my fellow panellist on BBC Radio’s Moral Maze where, to general astonishment, he and I often make common cause against the brutal utilitarians of both left and right. We have also had some spectacular bust-ups on air, particularly over Israel and Palestinian terrorism. Despite these and other differences of opinion between us, we have a warm and cordial relationship. Unlike so many on the left, Giles is devoid of bitterness or rancour…

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The moral maze of the British constitution

January 31, 2019January 31, 2019 Melaniebrexit, constitution, Moral Maze, MPs

BBC Radio’s Moral Maze, on which I am a regular panellist, started its new run last night with a discussion about the moral duty of MPs. With the Brexit crisis setting government against parliament and parliament against the people, we asked whether the principal duty of MPs was to their constituents or to their conscience, and whether sovereignty lay with parliament or the people. Is the British constitution currently working as it should, or are MPs trying to subvert it – and is it ever going to be the same…

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Maze of competitive sport

March 13, 2018 Melanie

Please listen to me here on BBC Radio’s The Moral Maze discussing with my co-panellists Giles Fraser, Matthew Taylor and Michael Portillo, in the wake of damning criticisms of champion cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky, the grey lines over obtaining competitive advantage in sport.

Audio Videos

What should be done with captured British jihadis?

February 15, 2018February 15, 2018 Melanie

Two men raised in Britain who went to fight with Isis in Syria have been captured by the Americans who want them to be returned to the UK to stand trial. But the British government doesn’t want them back. What should be done with British jihadis who go to fight in foreign theatres of war? Should they be killed where they are fighting or put on trial – and if the latter, where? I debated this issue on LBC with the human rights expert Philippe Sands QC. You can watch and listen to part of our…

Audio Britain

British Jews, right and left

December 12, 2017December 12, 2017 Melanie

I was interviewed for an interesting and thoughtful BBC Radio Four programme about the changing political allegiances of British Jews, presented by Jo Coburn. It contains some poignant personal reminiscences, fascinating historical and political nuggets and no small anguish at how this tiny community’s ingrained nervousness as the target of bigotry has now soared once again to a high level. You can listen to the programme here.

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Is marriage still a cornerstone of society?

December 1, 2017 Melanie

On BBC Radio’s Moral Maze, we discussed whether marriage was still worth a row of beans — or whether it should continue to liberalise in order to survive. You can listen to the episode here.