HEX
Server: Microsoft-IIS/10.0
System: Windows NT ITPWINWEBSVR22 10.0 build 20348 (Windows Server 2022) AMD64
User: www.conferencesearch.co.uk (0)
PHP: 8.3.30
Disabled: NONE
Upload Files
File: D:/hMailServer/Data/itpartnership.com/neil/4E/{4E3982C5-E0D1-4ED5-A722-4C17127EB964}.eml
Return-Path: IsabelHardman-yhlrlihk1dujyitlidt1j@bounce.spectator.co.uk
Delivered-To: neil@itpartnership.com
Received: from mx64.b.outbound.createsend.com (mx64.b.outbound.createsend.com [27.126.146.64])
	by mail.itpartnership.com with ESMTPS
	(version=TLSv1.3 cipher=TLS_AES_256_GCM_SHA384 bits=256)
	; Tue, 4 Aug 2026 18:13:24 +0100
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; s=cm; d=spectator.co.uk;
 h=Subject:From:To:Reply-To:Date:MIME-Version:Content-Type:List-Unsubscribe:
 List-Unsubscribe-Post:Message-ID; i=daily@spectator.co.uk;
 bh=qrtaW6eyNCThDk7jK/FTCYQAj1jpm9hiKT9Zoal2cqM=;
 b=ZuzQO9GBFUxBubmP053XzXRxbeDmEve8l/KSBB5/VUktwa1QDcTtpv5EOHRwAgLDiEFDqokOOLoK
   pIjAwBcYL+yZCD5kAIGCFOjffkbndnZL5cUhiJIG6stVvbGJacXcCV7/vfztYk9C0P5jzoziwaNF
   bmDmZgMaTPq76/rhcsw=
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; s=cs2013; d=cmail2.com;
 h=Subject:From:To:Reply-To:Date:MIME-Version:Content-Type:List-Unsubscribe:
 List-Unsubscribe-Post:Message-ID;
 bh=qrtaW6eyNCThDk7jK/FTCYQAj1jpm9hiKT9Zoal2cqM=;
 b=MwozcSPIj5Nu/C4VUPHJf4cwfkrRfQt+RK6T4npxo3CK9Qd8s6zpPV4JOnkgJIQxDyJJzWk/0NPg
   uC8wK2fFDQp0PZ5NEg6JrRM9XkF1kGsGZD73UyXr2zvZOlcXI6JgkGXbuWNv+hldbU5M3EaMb2ZT
   3IUmZ683BV+yILA+sYk=
Subject: =?utf-8?Q?Evening_Blend:_Burnham?=
  =?utf-8?Q?=e2=80=99s_first_taste_of_unpopularity?=
From: "Isabel Hardman" <daily@spectator.co.uk> 
To: "neil@itpartnership.com" <neil@itpartnership.com>
Reply-To: daily@spectator.co.uk
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 03:13:15 +1000
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
 boundary="_1ece16ea-5a69-42fb-a034-1a604ee87388_"; charset=utf-8
X-Mailer: Create Send
X-Complaints-To: abuse@cmail20.com
X-Feedback-ID: CA1-j-yhlrlihk:LI1-j-yutltht:CL1-j-dlkklr:createSEND
List-Unsubscribe: <https://unsub.cmail20.com/t/completeheader/j/yhlrlihk/dujyitlidt/c/>,
 <mailto:unsubscribe-yhlrlihk2dujyitlidt2j-256A68D9@cmail20.com?subject=Unsubscribe>
List-Unsubscribe-Post: List-Unsubscribe=One-Click
Message-ID: <cm.0313152090602.yhlrlihk.dujyitlidt.j@cmail20.com>

--_1ece16ea-5a69-42fb-a034-1a604ee87388_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

=2E

=E2=80=8C       =
=
=


Burnham=E2=80=99s first taste of unpopularity

by Isabel Hardman

Andy Burnham likes to be liked. That=E2=80=99s not unusual for politicians,=
 but it is a character trait that prime ministers struggle with, because mu=
ch of their job involves doing things that will make the public really cros=
s. It=E2=80=99s only been two weeks, and this Prime Minister is having to f=
ace the reality of not being universally liked head on, with changes to the=
 early release scheme for prisoners which are inevitably going to upset peo=
ple. That those people are victims of horrendous crimes, the sort of people=
 Burnham has spent a lot of his career campaigning alongside, makes it even=
 harder. And that he can only do so much because he is very much not operat=
ing in an ideal world is even more frustrating.

You could read the frustration spilling from the Prime Minister=E2=80=99s k=
eyboard as he wrote a lengthy post on X explaining why he could not exempt =
domestic abusers or killers =E2=80=93 including two of the men involved in =
the killing of PC Andrew Harper =E2=80=93 from the early release scheme. He=
 wrote: =E2=80=98The truth is I wanted to go even further. I know there wil=
l be concerns about who will still be released early for other offences. I =
have pushed to the very limits of what is possible to do. I know I can look=
 people in the eye and say to them there is nothing more I could have asked=
 for without risking the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing wit=
hin months.=E2=80=99 He argued that =E2=80=98such an outcome would expose t=
he public to enormous risk=E2=80=99 because police would be unable to make =
arrests, courts would be unable to send new offenders to prison and =E2=80=98=
our justice system would grind to a halt=E2=80=99.

He has faced criticism from PC Harper=E2=80=99s family, from the domestic a=
buse commissioner Nicole Jacobs, and from victims=E2=80=99 charities. There=
 are moves to change legislation to keep those two men convicted of manslau=
ghter in Harper=E2=80=99s case in prison =E2=80=93 though ministers are arg=
uing that given they were convicted before the offence of killing an emerge=
ncy worker was introduced, they cannot change the law retrospectively. It d=
oes seem as though the Harper case may end up being the sort of flashpoint =
that forces those ministers to be more creative in order to ease some of th=
e pressure.

In political terms, though, this is very much not the worst kind of unpopul=
arity for Burnham. He is currently able to blame the Conservatives and also=
 suggest that he has tightened the criteria written by his direct predecess=
or. Real unpopularity comes when you make decisions where the choice is les=
s constricted, and there are plenty of those approaching in the autumn over=
 spending and public services. The Prime Minister is taking a holiday first=
: he=E2=80=99ll need that break to give him the energy to withstand the rea=
l public opprobrium that he will inevitably face in the next few months.

A message from our sponsor, Vuelio

Looking for sources on deadline? Thousands of UK journalists and broadcaste=
rs rely on the ResponseSource Journalist Enquiry Service to source expert c=
ommentary, supporting data and industry insight fast.  Submit your request =
[https://journalistenquiries.responsesource.com/send/] and receive relevan=
t responses directly from our trusted network of PR and communications prof=
essionals, straight to your inbox.

Explore the Spectator shop

Enjoy 30% off our handpicked selection of games, cartoons and seasonal gin =
this summer. Offer applies until 20 August 2026.

SHOP NOW [https://shop.spectator.co.uk/]

Portrait of the day

Andy Burnham said he had =E2=80=98wanted to go ever further=E2=80=99 in his=
 changes to the prisoner early release scheme, but that he had =E2=80=98pus=
hed to the very limits of what is possible to do=E2=80=99. While rapists an=
d child sex offenders are excluded from early release, domestic abusers and=
 those convicted of manslaughter will still be able to walk free early.  Do=
wning Street said the capsize of a dinghy carrying 157 people in the Channe=
l showed =E2=80=98the terrible dangers of small boat crossings=E2=80=99.  K=
emi Badenoch defended her party=E2=80=99s selection as a local election can=
didate a man who had been jailed for harassing Jewish MP Luciana Berger. Th=
e Tory leader said he had =E2=80=98shown contrition for his crimes=E2=80=99=
 and was now working to counter =E2=80=98the very problem which he knew tha=
t he had caused previously=E2=80=99.  Scottish school pupils received their=
 National 5 results, with a record number of passes.

Most read on The Spectator

Why progressives were desperate to believe Jason Arday [https://spectator.=
com/article/why-progressives-were-desperate-to-believe-jason-arday/?status=3D=
=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 Gareth Roberts

Rod Liddle was a brilliant friend [https://spectator.com/article/rod-was-a=
-brilliant-friend/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 Tim Luckhurst

The Green party tried to get me arrested [https://spectator.com/article/th=
e-green-party-tried-to-get-me-arrested/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 Jonathan Sacerdoti

=2E

=2E

=
=
=
 =
=
=


Enjoying the Evening Blend?

Why not try The Spectator=E2=80=99s Lunchtime Espresso newsletter? Keep up-=
to-date with major political and economic events in the UK =E2=80=93 and wo=
rldwide =E2=80=93 with our concise summary, delivered every weekday lunchti=
me.

SIGN UP HERE  [https://www.spectator.co.uk/lunchtime-espresso/?utm_source=3D=
blend]

=
=
=
 =
=
=


From Spectator Life

Is Tainan the world=E2=80=99s most dangerous city? [https://spectator.com/=
article/is-tainan-the-worlds-most-dangerous-city/?edition=3Dus?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
]

Sean Thomas

The secrets of the Booker Prize [https://spectator.com/article/the-secrets=
-of-the-booker-prize/?edition=3Dus?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
]

Tibor Fischer

It=E2=80=99s madness to sit exams on screens [https://spectator.com/articl=
e/the-madness-of-sitting-exams-on-screens/?edition=3Dus?status=3D=
=
Non-subs=
=
]

Philip Womack

=2E

Barometer

Oil price (barrel of Brent crude)

$79.75

down 4.80% on the day, up 19.76% on a year ago

GBP/USD exchange rate

$1.34

down 0.44=C2=A2 on the day, up 1.57=C2=A2 on a year ago

Average new two-year fixed-rate mortgage

5.63%

no change on the day, up 0.61pts on a year ago

Rates from Moneyfacts

=2E

Follow us                                           Sign up for more Specta=
tor newsletters  here [https://www.spectator.co.uk/emails]

View this message in a  web browser https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-e-yhl=
rlihk-dujyitlidt-yh/

To stop receiving this newsletter, you can  unsubscribe https://blend.spect=
ator.co.uk/t/j-u-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt-yk/ now

If you no longer want to hear from The Spectator, you can  unsubscribe from=
 all newsletters [https://www.spectator.co.uk/unsubscribe-all/]

The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP

Contact us  [https://www.spectator.co.uk/faqs]

Reg no.  01232804 [tel:01232804] Copyright =C2=A9 2026 The Spectator (1828=
) Ltd. All rights reserved.

--_1ece16ea-5a69-42fb-a034-1a604ee87388_
Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.=
w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
<html xmlns=3D"http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:v=3D"urn:schemas-microso=
ft-com:vml" xmlns:o=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office">
  <head>
    <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><o:OfficeDocumentSettings><o:AllowPNG/><o:Pixe=
lsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch></o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--=
>
    <title>Spectator Daily</title>
    <meta http-equiv=3D"Content-Type" content=3D"text/html; charset=3Dutf-8=
" />
    <meta name=3D"viewport" content=3D"width=3Ddevice-width, initial-scale=3D=
1.0" />
    <link href=3D"https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=3DEB+Garamond:400=
,400i,700,700i|Lato:400,400i,700,700i|Merriweather:400,400i,700,700i|Playfa=
ir+Display:400,400i,700,700i&display=3Dswap" rel=3D"stylesheet" />
    <!--[if gte mso 9]>
		<style>
			div.list { Margin: 0 0 0 -20px !important !important; }
		</style>
		<![endif]-->
    <style type=3D"text/css">
      a {
        outline: none;
        color: #b30517;
        text-decoration: underline;
      }
      a:hover {
        text-decoration: none !important;
      }
      .h-u a {
        text-decoration: none;
      }
      .h-u a:hover {
        text-decoration: underline !important;
      }
      a[x-apple-data-detectors] {
        color: inherit !important;
        text-decoration: none !important;
      }
      a[href^=3D"tel"]:hover {
        text-decoration: none !important;
      }
      .active-i a:hover,
      .active-t:hover {
        opacity: 0.8;
      }
      .active-i a,
      .active-t {
        transition: all 0.3s ease;
      }
      .PWactive-t:hover {
        opacity: 0.8;
      }
      .PWactive-t {
        transition: all 0.3s ease;
      }
      .PWactive-t a {
        color: #262222 !important;
        text-decoration: none;
        display: block;
        padding: 11px;
      }
      a img {
        border: none;
      }
      b,
      strong {
        font-weight: 700;
      }
      p {
        margin: 0;
      }
      ul {
        margin: 0 0 0 18px;
        padding: 0;
      }
      li {
        margin: 0 0 10px;
      }
     =20
      th {
        padding: 0;
      }
      table td {
        mso-line-height-rule: exactly;
      }
      red_header_text {
        font-family: 'EB Garamond', Times New Roman, Times, serif;
        font-size: 26px;
        line-height: 36px;
        color: #b30517;
        font-weight: 400;
        margin: 0;
      }
      .ns span,
      .ns a {
        color: inherit !important;
        text-decoration: none !important;
        border: none !important;
      }
      .l-white a {
        color: #fff;
      }
      .active-t a {
        color: #fff !important;
        text-decoration: none;
        display: block;
        padding: 11px;
      }
      .l-gray a {
        color: #8b8b8b;
      }
      .l-gray-333 a {
        color: #333333;
      }
      .hsla .image-m {
        display: block !important;
        position: relative;
        text-align: left;
      }
      .hsla .image-m img {
        bottom: 100%;
        position: absolute;
        width: 100px !important;
        border: 1px solid #000;
      }
      [style*=3D"Lato"] {
        font-family: 'Lato', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important
      }
      [style*=3D"EBGaramond"] {
        font-family: 'EB Garamond', Times New Roman, Times, serif !importan=
t
      }
      [style*=3D"Merriweather"] {
        font-family: 'Merriweather', Times New Roman, Times, serif !importa=
nt
      }
      [style*=3D"PlayfairDisplay"] {
        font-family: 'Playfair Display', Times New Roman, Times, serif !imp=
ortant
      }
      .w-100p {
        width: 100% !important;
      }
      .wi-100p img {
        width: 100% !important;
        height: auto !important;
      }
      div.list ul {
       =20
        margin-top: 0;
        margin-bottom: 0;
      }
      div.list li {
        margin-bottom: 10px;
        list-style: disc outside;
        mso-special-format: bullet;
      }
      .mg-headline {
        font-family: 'EB Garamond', Times New Roman, Times, serif;
      }
      @media only screen and (max-width:375px) and (min-width:300px) {
        .gmail-fix {
          min-width: 374px !important;
        }
        .paywall {
          padding: 0 20px !important;
        }
        .unlock {
          width: 100% !important;
        }
        .twoColumn,
        .twoColumn td {
          display: block;
          float: left;
          box-sizing: border-box;
          width: 100% !important;
        }
        .rightColumn {
          padding-left: 0 !important;
          padding-top: 20px !important;
        }
        .maxImg {
          width: 100% !important;
          height: auto !important;
        }
      }
      @media only screen and (max-width:414px) and (min-width:413px) {
        .gmail-fix {
          min-width: 413px !important;
        }
        .paywall {
          padding: 0 20px !important;
        }
        .unlock {
          width: 100% !important;
        }
        .twoColumn,
        .twoColumn td {
          display: block;
          float: left;
          box-sizing: border-box;
          width: 100% !important;
        }
        .rightColumn {
          padding-left: 0 !important;
          padding-top: 20px !important;
        }
        .maxImg {
          width: 100% !important;
          height: auto !important;
        }
      }
      @media only screen and (max-width:730px) {
        .w-100p {
          width: 100% !important;
        }
        .wi-100p img {
          width: 100% !important;
          height: auto !important;
        }
      }
      @media only screen and (max-width:620px) {
        .w-100p {
          width: 100% !important;
        }
        .tflex {
          display: block !important;
          width: 100% !important;
          box-sizing: border-box;
        }
        .ta-c {
          text-align: center !important;
        }
        .thold {
          display: table !important;
          width: 100% !important;
        }
        .thead {
          display: table-header-group !important;
          width: 100% !important;
        }
        .trow {
          display: table-row !important;
          width: 100% !important;
        }
        .tfoot {
          display: table-footer-group !important;
          width: 100% !important;
        }
        .hm {
          display: none !important;
          width: 0 !important;
          height: 0 !important;
          padding: 0 !important;
          font-size: 0 !important;
          line-height: 0 !important;
        }
        .b-n {
          border: none !important;
        }
        .h-a {
          height: auto !important;
        }
        .wi-100p img {
          width: 100% !important;
          height: auto !important;
        }
        .wi-50p img {
          width: 50% !important;
          height: auto !important;
        }
        .p-0 {
          padding: 0 !important;
        }
        .plr-30 {
          padding-left: 30px !important;
          padding-right: 30px !important;
        }
        .ptb-30 {
          padding-top: 30px !important;
          padding-bottom: 30px !important;
        }
        .pt-10 {
          padding-top: 10px !important;
        }
        .pb-30 {
          padding-bottom: 30px !important;
        }
        .mb-20 {
          margin-bottom: 20px !important;
        }
        .fs-26 {
          font-size: 26px !important;
        }
        .lh-36 {
          line-height: 36px !important;
        }
        .image-m {
          display: block !important;
        }
        .image-m img {
          width: 100% !important;
          height: auto !important;
          font-size: 16px !important;
          line-height: 20px !important;
        }
        .img-50-mobile img {
          width: 50% !important;
          height: auto !important;
          max-width: none !important;
          margin: 0 auto !important;
          border-radius: 5px !important;
          -webkit-border-radius: 5px;
        }
        .mg-text-cell {
          text-align: center !important;
          display: block !important;
          width: 100% !important;
        }
        .mg-headline {
          font-family: 'EB Garamond', Times New Roman, Times, serif;
          text-align: center !important;
        }
        .mg-byline {
          text-align: center !important;
        }
        .mg-img-cell {
          display: block !important;
          width: 100% !important;
          text-align: center !important;
          padding-left: 0 !important;
          padding-top: 10px !important;
        }
        .mg-img-cell img {
          margin: 0 auto !important;
          display: block !important;
        }
      }
      @media (prefers-dark-interface) {
        body {
          -apple-color-filter: none;
        }
      }
    </style>
    <style type=3D"text/css">
      @import url(https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=3DEB+Garamond:400=
,400i,700,700i|Lato:400,400i,700,700i|Merriweather:400,400i,700,700i|Playfa=
ir+Display:400,400i,700,700i&display=3Dswap);
    </style>
    <style>
      .mobile-hide { display:table-cell; }
      .mobile-show { display:none; max-height:0; overflow:hidden; mso-hide:=
all; }
      @media screen and (max-width:610px){
        .mobile-hide { display:none !important; max-height:0 !important; ov=
erflow:hidden !important; }
        .mobile-show { display:table-cell !important; max-height:none !impo=
rtant; }
        .bylinetd { padding:0 15px 2px !important; }
        .blend-headline { font-weight:700 !important; font-size:19.5px !imp=
ortant; line-height:25px !important; }
      }
      .blend-headline{
        font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;
        font-size:26px; line-height:32px; color:#333; font-weight:400; marg=
in:0;
      }
      .blend-byline{
        font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;
        font-size:19.5px; line-height:25px; color:#333; text-align:left;
      }
      .blend-byline i{ font-style:italic; }
      .blend-img{ display:block; width:70px; height:auto; border:0; outline=
:0; text-decoration:none; }
    </style>
    <style>
      .rc-header-inner {
        display:table;
        width:100%;
        direction:rtl;
      }
      .rc-logo-wrap {
        display:table-cell;
        width:180px;
        vertical-align:bottom;
        text-align:right;
      }
      .rc-text-wrap {
        display:table-cell;
        vertical-align:bottom;
        text-align:left;
        direction:ltr;
        padding-right:12px;
      }
      @media only screen and (max-width:620px) {
        .rc-header-inner {
          display:block !important;
          width:100% !important;
        }
        .rc-logo-wrap {
          display:block !important;
          width:100% !important;
          text-align:center !important;
          padding-bottom:12px !important;
        }
        .rc-logo-wrap img {
          margin:0 auto !important;
        }
        .rc-text-wrap {
          display:block !important;
          width:100% !important;
          text-align:center !important;
          padding-right:0 !important;
          direction:ltr !important;
        }
      }
    </style>
  </head>
  <body style=3D"background-color:#ffffff;background-image:none;background-=
repeat:repeat;background-position:top left;background-attachment:scroll;mar=
gin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;padding-top:0;paddin=
g-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%;-ms=
-text-size-adjust:100%;" ><div style=3D"mso-hide:all;position:fixed;height:=
0;max-height:0;overflow:hidden;font-size:0;">Britain=E2=80=99s most-read po=
litics newsletter  &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; =
&#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8=
204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204=
; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &=
#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#82=
04; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204;=
 &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#=
8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#820=
4; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; =
&#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8=
204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204=
; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &=
#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#82=
04; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204;=
 &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#=
8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#820=
4; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; =
&#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8=
204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204=
; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &=
#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#82=
04; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204;=
 &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#=
8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#820=
4; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; =
&#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8=
204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204;</div>
    <table class=3D"gmail-fix" width=3D"100%"  cellspacing=3D"0" cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" style=3D"background-color:#ffffff;background-image:none;background-=
repeat:repeat;background-position:top left;background-attachment:scroll;min=
-width:320px;" >
      <tr>
        <td class=3D"p-0" style=3D"padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px;pad=
ding-right:10px;padding-left:10px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
          <table class=3D"w-100p" width=3D"710" align=3D"center"  cellpaddi=
ng=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:710px;background-color:#fff;b=
ackground-image:none;background-repeat:repeat;background-position:top left;=
background-attachment:scroll;border-radius:5px;box-shadow:0 0 40px 0 #d1d1d=
1;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;width:100=
% !important;" >
            <tr>
              <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;p=
adding-left:0;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
               =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td align=3D"center" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding=
-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-size:0;line-height:0;mso-line=
-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <span class=3D"wi-100p hm"><a href=3D"https://ble=
nd.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt-j/" style=3D"outline-s=
tyle:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" ><img src=3D"=
https=
://i1.cmail20.com=
/ei/j/46/F46/F39/csimport/Vueli=
oSpectatorAd710x130.094126.png" width=3D"710"  label=3D"Responsive_Banner D=
esktop" height=3D"130" style=3D"width:100% !important;font-style:normal;fon=
t-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16px;font-family:Times New Ro=
man, Times, serif, EBGaramond;line-height:20px;color:#333;vertical-align:to=
p;border-style:none;height:auto !important;" /></a></span>
                          <span class=3D"image-m" style=3D"display:none;fon=
t-size:0;line-height:0;" ><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yh=
lrlihk-dujyitlidt-t/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;tex=
t-decoration:underline;" ><img src=3D"https=
://i2.=
cmail20.com=
/ei/j/46/F46/F39/csimport/VuelioSpectatorAd500x225.094133.=
png" width=3D"500"  label=3D"Responsive_Banner Mobile" height=3D"225" style=
=3D"width:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font=
-size:0;font-family:Times New Roman, Times, serif, EBGaramond;line-height:0=
;color:#333;vertical-align:top;border-style:none;" /></a></span>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td height=3D"1" style=3D"color:#ddd;backgrou=
nd-color:#ddd;background-image:none;background-repeat:repeat;background-pos=
ition:top left;background-attachment:scroll;font-size:1px;line-height:1px;m=
so-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	.</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0" role=3D"presentation">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"710" align=3D"center" cellpadding=
=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"max-width:710px;wid=
th:100%;margin-bottom:20px;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td align=3D"center" style=3D"padding-top:0;p=
adding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-height-rule:exactly=
;" >
                                <img src=3D"https=
://i9.=
cmail20.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/header_eveningblend_f=
=2Ejpg" width=3D"550" alt=3D"Evening&#32;Blend&#32;|&#32;Spectator&#32;Daily"=
 label=3D"Evening Blend header" style=3D"display:block;width:100%;max-width=
:550px;height:auto;border-width:0;outline-color:0;text-decoration:none;" />
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"height:1px;line-height:1px;font-=
size:1px;background-color:#dddddd;background-image:none;background-repeat:r=
epeat;background-position:top left;background-attachment:scroll;mso-line-he=
ight-rule:exactly;" >
                                &zwnj;
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
										=
=
=

								=09
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td class=3D"bylinetd" style=3D"padding-top:0;paddi=
ng-bottom:2px;padding-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exa=
ctly;" >
                          <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" border=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;margin=
-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                             =20
                              <td class=3D"mobile-show" width=3D"70" style=3D=
"width:70px;vertical-align:bottom;padding-right:12px;display:none;max-heigh=
t:0;overflow:hidden;mso-hide:all;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <img src=3D"https=
://i4.=
cmail20.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/byline-isabel.png" al=
t=3D"Isabel&#32;Hardman" class=3D"blend-img" width=3D"70"  label=3D"Mobile =
byline image =E2=80=93=C2=A0CHANGE DESKTOP TOO" style=3D"display:block;widt=
h:70px;height:auto;border-width:0;outline-color:0;text-decoration:none;" />
                              </td>
                             =20
                              <td style=3D"text-align:left;vertical-align:b=
ottom;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <div class=3D"blend-headline" style=3D"font=
-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:26p=
x;line-height:32px;color:#333;font-weight:400;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;=
margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	Burnham=E2=80=99s first taste of unpopularity</p>
</div>
                                <div class=3D"blend-byline" style=3D"font-f=
amily:EBGaramond, Garamond, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:19.5p=
x;line-height:25px;color:#333;text-align:left;" ><p style=3D"margin-top:0;m=
argin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	by <i style=3D"font-style:italic;" >Isabel Hardman</i></p>
</div>
                              </td>
                             =20
                              <td class=3D"mobile-hide" width=3D"70" align=3D=
"right" style=3D"width:70px;vertical-align:bottom;text-align:right;padding-=
left:12px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <img src=3D"https=
://i4.=
cmail20.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/byline-isabel.png" al=
t=3D"Isabel&#32;Hardman" class=3D"blend-img" width=3D"70"  label=3D"Desktop=
 byline image" style=3D"display:block;width:70px;height:auto;border-width:0=
;outline-color:0;text-decoration:none;" />
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td height=3D"15" style=3D"font-size:0;line-height:=
0;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          &nbsp;
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	Andy Burnham likes to be liked. That=E2=80=99s not unusual for politicians=
, but it is a character trait that prime ministers struggle with, because m=
uch of their job involves doing things that will make the public really cro=
ss. It=E2=80=99s only been two weeks, and this Prime Minister is having to =
face the reality of not being universally liked head on, with changes to th=
e early release scheme for prisoners which are inevitably going to upset pe=
ople. That those people are victims of horrendous crimes, the sort of peopl=
e Burnham has spent a lot of his career campaigning alongside, makes it eve=
n harder. And that he can only do so much because he is very much not opera=
ting in an ideal world is even more frustrating.</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	You could read the frustration spilling from the Prime Minister=E2=80=99s =
keyboard as he wrote a lengthy post on X explaining why he could not exempt=
 domestic abusers or killers =E2=80=93 including two of the men involved in=
 the killing of PC Andrew Harper =E2=80=93 from the early release scheme. H=
e wrote: =E2=80=98The truth is I wanted to go even further. I know there wi=
ll be concerns about who will still be released early for other offences. I=
 have pushed to the very limits of what is possible to do. I know I can loo=
k people in the eye and say to them there is nothing more I could have aske=
d for without risking the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing wi=
thin months.=E2=80=99 He argued that =E2=80=98such an outcome would expose =
the public to enormous risk=E2=80=99 because police would be unable to make=
 arrests, courts would be unable to send new offenders to prison and =E2=80=
=98our justice system would grind to a halt=E2=80=99.</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	He has faced criticism from PC Harper=E2=80=99s family, from the domestic =
abuse commissioner Nicole Jacobs, and from victims=E2=80=99 charities. Ther=
e are moves to change legislation to keep those two men convicted of mansla=
ughter in Harper=E2=80=99s case in prison =E2=80=93 though ministers are ar=
guing that given they were convicted before the offence of killing an emerg=
ency worker was introduced, they cannot change the law retrospectively. It =
does seem as though the Harper case may end up being the sort of flashpoint=
 that forces those ministers to be more creative in order to ease some of t=
he pressure.</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	In political terms, though, this is very much not the worst kind of unpopu=
larity for Burnham. He is currently able to blame the Conservatives and als=
o suggest that he has tightened the criteria written by his direct predeces=
sor. Real unpopularity comes when you make decisions where the choice is le=
ss constricted, and there are plenty of those approaching in the autumn ove=
r spending and public services. The Prime Minister is taking a holiday firs=
t: he=E2=80=99ll need that break to give him the energy to withstand the re=
al public opprobrium that he will inevitably face in the next few months.</=
p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <table cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" =
width=3D"100%">
                                  <tbody>
                                    <tr>
                                      <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bo=
ttom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                        <table align=3D"center" cellpadding=
=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0"  width=3D"610" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100%=
;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;border-wid=
th:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#ccc;border-radius:5px;background-co=
lor:#f8f8f8;" >
                                          <tbody>
                                            <tr>
                                              <td style=3D"padding-top:20px=
;padding-bottom:20px;padding-right:20px;padding-left:20px;font-family:EBGar=
amond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Times, serif;font-size:19.5px;color:#333;=
line-height:25px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;ma=
rgin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >A message from our sponsor,&nbsp;<em>V=
uelio</em></strong><br />
	<br />
	Looking for sources on deadline? Thousands of UK journalists and broadcast=
ers rely on the ResponseSource Journalist Enquiry Service to source expert =
commentary, supporting data and industry insight fast. <strong style=3D"fon=
t-weight:700;" ><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt-d/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decorati=
on:underline;" >Submit your request</a></strong> and receive relevant respo=
nses directly from our trusted network of PR and communications professiona=
ls, straight to your inbox.</p>
                                              </td>
                                            </tr>
                                          </tbody>
                                        </table>
                                      </td>
                                    </tr>
                                  </tbody>
                                </table>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td height=3D"30" style=3D"font-size:0;line-height:=
0;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                         =20
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
										<table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0">
											<tr>
												<td style=3D"padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-right=
:15px;padding-left:15px;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;b=
order-bottom-color:#C0C0C0;border-top-width:1px;border-top-style:solid;bord=
er-top-color:#C0C0C0;background-color:#F8F8F8;background-image:none;backgro=
und-repeat:repeat;background-position:top left;background-attachment:scroll=
;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
													<table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpadding=3D"0" cells=
pacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;margin-top:0;ma=
rgin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
														<tr class=3D"thold">
														=09
															<th class=3D"thead" width=3D"290" align=3D"left" style=3D"ve=
rtical-align:center;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-=
left:0;" >
																<table class=3D"w-100p" align=3D"center"  cellpadding=3D"0"=
 cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:15px;=
margin-left:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:15px;padding-lef=
t:0;width:100% !important;" >
																	<tr>
																		<td class=3D"wi-100p" align=3D"center" style=3D"border-ra=
dius:5px;overflow:hidden;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
																			<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt-h/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decor=
ation:underline;" ><img src=3D"https=
://i3.=
cmail20.com=
/ei/j/46/F46/F39/csimport/04_Summersale500x500inline.174549.png" =
width=3D"275"  alt=3D"https://club.spectator.co.uk/events/boisdale-the-spec=
tator-beaujolais-nouveau-lunch-2026" label=3D"HouseAd_App" height=3D"275" s=
tyle=3D"width:100% !important;vertical-align:top;border-style:none;height:a=
uto !important;" /></a>
																		</td>
																	</tr>
																</table>
															</th>										=09
																																																					=09
															<th class=3D"tfoot" align=3D"left" style=3D"vertical-align:t=
op;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
																<table align=3D"center"  cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0=
" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;=
" >
																	<tr>
																		<td class=3D"h-a" height=3D"118" valign=3D"top" style=3D"=
mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
																			<table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0=
" align=3D"center">
																				<tr>
																					<td class=3D"pt-10 ta-c" align=3D"center" style=3D"pad=
ding-top:0;padding-bottom:20px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:no=
rmal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:20px;font-family:EBGa=
ramond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333=
;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
																						<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:15px;margin-ri=
ght:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Explore&nbsp;<em>the Spectator&nbsp;</=
em>shop</strong></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:15px;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" =
>
	Enjoy 30% off our handpicked selection of games, cartoons and seasonal gin=
 this summer. Offer applies until 20 August 2026.</p>
																					</td>
																				</tr>
																			</table>
																		</td>
																	</tr>
																	<tr>
																		<td style=3D"mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
																			<table width=3D"200" align=3D"center"  cellpadding=3D"0"=
 cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;=
margin-left:auto;" >
																				<tr>
																					<td class=3D"active-t" align=3D"center" style=3D"backg=
round-color:#d2091e;background-image:none;background-repeat:repeat;backgrou=
nd-position:top left;background-attachment:scroll;mso-padding-alt:11px;font=
-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:12px;font-fa=
mily:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Lato;line-height:16px;border-radius:20px=
;letter-spacing:1px;text-transform:uppercase;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;t=
ransition:all 0.3s ease;" >
																						<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right=
:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt=
-k/" style=3D"color:#fff !important;text-decoration-line:none;display:block=
;padding-top:11px;padding-bottom:11px;padding-right:11px;padding-left:11px;=
outline-style:none;text-decoration:none;" >SHOP NOW</a></p>
																					</td>
																				</tr>
																			</table>
											=09
																		</td>
																	</tr>
																</table>
															</th>
														</tr>
													</table>
												</td>
											</tr>
                                              <tr>
      <td height=3D"30" style=3D"font-size:0;line-height:0;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >&nbsp;</td>
    </tr>
  </table>
								=09
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:20p=
x;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font=
-weight:normal;font-size:26px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New R=
oman, Times, serif;line-height:36px;color:#b30517;mso-line-height-rule:exac=
tly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	Portrait of the day</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <ul style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;m=
argin-right:0;margin-left:18px;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right=
:0;padding-left:0;" >
	<li style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;=
" >
		Andy Burnham said he had =E2=80=98wanted to go ever further=E2=80=99 in h=
is changes to the prisoner early release scheme, but that he had =E2=80=98p=
ushed to the very limits of what is possible to do=E2=80=99. While rapists =
and child sex offenders are excluded from early release, domestic abusers a=
nd those convicted of manslaughter will still be able to walk free early.</=
li>
	<li style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;=
" >
		Downing Street said the capsize of a dinghy carrying 157 people in the Ch=
annel showed =E2=80=98the terrible dangers of small boat crossings=E2=80=99=
=2E</li>
	<li style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;=
" >
		Kemi Badenoch defended her party=E2=80=99s selection as a local election =
candidate a man who had been jailed for harassing Jewish MP Luciana Berger.=
 The Tory leader said he had =E2=80=98shown contrition for his crimes=E2=80=
=99 and was now working to counter =E2=80=98the very problem which he knew =
that he had caused previously=E2=80=99.</li>
	<li style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;=
" >
		Scottish school pupils received their National 5 results, with a record n=
umber of passes.</li>
</ul>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td height=3D"1" style=3D"color:#ddd;backgrou=
nd-color:#ddd;background-image:none;background-repeat:repeat;background-pos=
ition:top left;background-attachment:scroll;font-size:1px;line-height:1px;m=
so-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                               =20
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:20p=
x;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font=
-weight:normal;font-size:26px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New R=
oman, Times, serif;line-height:36px;color:#b30517;mso-line-height-rule:exac=
tly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	Most read on The Spectator</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px=
;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt=
-u/" style=3D"color:rgb(51, 51, 51);outline-style:none;text-decoration:unde=
rline;" >Why progressives were desperate to believe Jason Arday</a>&nbsp;=E2=
=80=93 <i>Gareth Roberts</i></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" =
>
	<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt=
-o/" style=3D"color:rgb(51, 51, 51);outline-style:none;text-decoration:unde=
rline;" >Rod Liddle was a brilliant friend</a>&nbsp;=E2=80=93 <i>Tim Luckhu=
rst</i></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" =
>
	<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt=
-b/" style=3D"color:rgb(51, 51, 51);outline-style:none;text-decoration:unde=
rline;" >The Green party tried to get me arrested</a>&nbsp;=E2=80=93 <i>Jon=
athan Sacerdoti</i></p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td height=3D"1" style=3D"color:#ddd;backgrou=
nd-color:#ddd;background-image:none;background-repeat:repeat;background-pos=
ition:top left;background-attachment:scroll;font-size:1px;line-height:1px;m=
so-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	.</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td class=3D"wi-100p" align=3D"center" style=3D=
"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:10px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-=
height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <img src=3D"https=
://i4.=
cmail20.com=
/ei/j/46/F46/F39/csimport/Unknown-122.174440.jpeg" w=
idth=3D"286"  label=3D"Image" height=3D"277" style=3D"width:100% !important=
;max-width:286px;vertical-align:top;height:auto !important;" />
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td align=3D"center" style=3D"font-style:ital=
ic;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:18px;font-family:EBGara=
mond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:22px;color:#333;m=
so-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                               =20
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td height=3D"1" style=3D"color:#ddd;backgrou=
nd-color:#ddd;background-image:none;background-repeat:repeat;background-pos=
ition:top left;background-attachment:scroll;font-size:1px;line-height:1px;m=
so-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	.</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
										=
=
=

										=
=
=

										<table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0">
											<tr>
												<td  align=3D"center" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30p=
x;padding-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
												<table width=3D"610"  border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" align=3D"center" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;mar=
gin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
													<tbody>
														<tr>
															<td bgcolor=3D"#262222"  align=3D"center" style=3D"padding-t=
op:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-right:30px;padding-left:30px;font-size:=
14px;font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;color:#FFFFFF;border-radiu=
s:10px 10px 10px 10px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
															<p style=3D"margin-top:0;font-size:26px;margin-bottom:0;marg=
in-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >
																Enjoying the Evening&nbsp;Blend?
																</strong></p>
															<p style=3D"margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:0;color:#FFC847;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
																Why not try <em>The Spectator</em>=E2=80=99s Lunchtime Espr=
esso newsletter? Keep up-to-date with major political and economic events i=
n the UK =E2=80=93 and worldwide =E2=80=93 with our concise summary, delive=
red every&nbsp;weekday&nbsp;lunchtime.
															</p>
															<table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpad=
ding=3D"0">
																<tbody>
																	<tr>
																		<td align=3D"center" style=3D"padding-top:10px;mso-line-h=
eight-rule:exactly;" >
																<table width=3D"260" align=3D"center"  cellpadding=3D"0" ce=
llspacing=3D"0" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;mar=
gin-left:auto;" >
																			<tr>
																				<td class=3D"PWactive-t" align=3D"center" valign=3D"mid=
dle" style=3D"background-color:#FFC847;background-image:none;background-rep=
eat:repeat;background-position:top left;background-attachment:scroll;mso-pa=
dding-alt:11px;font-size:12px;font-family:Helvetica, Times, serif;border-ra=
dius:20px;text-transform:uppercase;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;transition:=
all 0.3s ease;" >
																					<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:=
0;margin-left:0;" >
	<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt=
-n/" style=3D"color:#262222 !important;text-decoration:none;display:block;p=
adding-top:11px;padding-bottom:11px;padding-right:11px;padding-left:11px;ou=
tline-style:none;" ><strong style=3D"color:#262222 !important;font-weight:7=
00;" >SIGN UP HERE</strong> </a></p>
																				</td>
																			</tr>
																		</table>
																	</td>
																	</tr>
																</tbody>
															</table>
														</td>
														</tr>
													</tbody>
												</table>
											</td>
											</tr>
										</table>
										=
=
=

										=
=
=

								=09
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:20p=
x;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font=
-weight:normal;font-size:26px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New R=
oman, Times, serif;line-height:36px;color:#b30517;mso-line-height-rule:exac=
tly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	From Spectator Life</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <table cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" =
width=3D"100%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padding-right:0px;padding=
-left:0px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
				<table align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0"  width=3D"6=
10" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;margin-top:0;margin-bott=
om:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
					<tbody>
						<tr class=3D"thold">
							<th align=3D"left" class=3D"thead"  width=3D"234" style=3D"vertical-=
align:top;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
								<table align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" class=3D=
"w-100p mb-20" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;marg=
in-left:auto;width:100%!important;" >
									<tbody>
										<tr>
											<td align=3D"center" class=3D"wi-100p" style=3D"border-radius:5p=
x;overflow:hidden;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
												<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt-p/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:u=
nderline;" ><img alt=3D"Image description" height=3D"156" src=3D"https://sp=
ectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Tainan-GettyImages-2282071634.jpg?re=
size=3D468,312"  width=3D"234" style=3D"width:100%!important;vertical-align=
:top;border-style:none;height:auto!important;" /></a></td>
										</tr>
									</tbody>
								</table>
							</th>
							<th class=3D"hm"  width=3D"20" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom=
:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
								&nbsp;</th>
							<th align=3D"left" class=3D"tfoot" style=3D"vertical-align:top;paddi=
ng-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
								<table align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" class=3D=
"w-100p" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-lef=
t:auto;width:100%!important;" >
									<tbody>
										<tr>
											<td class=3D"pt-10 ta-c" style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant=
:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamon=
d, Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-heigh=
t-rule:exactly;" >
												<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;marg=
in-left:0;" >
													<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt-x/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:=
underline;" >Is Tainan the world=E2=80=99s most dangerous city?</a></p>
												<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;marg=
in-left:0;" >
													<em>Sean Thomas</em></p>
											</td>
										</tr>
									</tbody>
								</table>
							</th>
						</tr>
					</tbody>
				</table>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<table cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padding-right:0px;padding=
-left:0px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
				<table align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0"  width=3D"6=
10" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;margin-top:0;margin-bott=
om:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
					<tbody>
						<tr class=3D"thold">
							<th align=3D"left" class=3D"thead"  width=3D"234" style=3D"vertical-=
align:top;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
								<table align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" class=3D=
"w-100p mb-20" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;marg=
in-left:auto;width:100%!important;" >
									<tbody>
										<tr>
											<td align=3D"center" class=3D"wi-100p" style=3D"border-radius:5p=
x;overflow:hidden;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
												<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt-m/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:u=
nderline;" ><img alt=3D"Image description" height=3D"156" src=3D"https://sp=
ectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/elizabeth.jpg?resize=3D468,312"  wid=
th=3D"234" style=3D"width:100%!important;vertical-align:top;border-style:no=
ne;height:auto!important;" /></a></td>
										</tr>
									</tbody>
								</table>
							</th>
							<th class=3D"hm"  width=3D"20" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom=
:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
								&nbsp;</th>
							<th align=3D"left" class=3D"tfoot" style=3D"vertical-align:top;paddi=
ng-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
								<table align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" class=3D=
"w-100p" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-lef=
t:auto;width:100%!important;" >
									<tbody>
										<tr>
											<td class=3D"pt-10 ta-c" style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant=
:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamon=
d, Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-heigh=
t-rule:exactly;" >
												<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;marg=
in-left:0;" >
													<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt-c/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:=
underline;" >The secrets of the Booker Prize</a></p>
												<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;marg=
in-left:0;" >
													<em>Tibor Fischer</em></p>
											</td>
										</tr>
									</tbody>
								</table>
							</th>
						</tr>
					</tbody>
				</table>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<table cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padding-right:0px;padding=
-left:0px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
				<table align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0"  width=3D"6=
10" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;margin-top:0;margin-bott=
om:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
					<tbody>
						<tr class=3D"thold">
							<th align=3D"left" class=3D"thead"  width=3D"234" style=3D"vertical-=
align:top;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
								<table align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" class=3D=
"w-100p mb-20" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;marg=
in-left:auto;width:100%!important;" >
									<tbody>
										<tr>
											<td align=3D"center" class=3D"wi-100p" style=3D"border-radius:5p=
x;overflow:hidden;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
												<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt-q/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:u=
nderline;" ><img alt=3D"Image description" height=3D"156" src=3D"https://sp=
ectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/exams.jpg?resize=3D468,312"  width=3D=
"234" style=3D"width:100%!important;vertical-align:top;border-style:none;he=
ight:auto!important;" /></a></td>
										</tr>
									</tbody>
								</table>
							</th>
							<th class=3D"hm"  width=3D"20" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom=
:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
								&nbsp;</th>
							<th align=3D"left" class=3D"tfoot" style=3D"vertical-align:top;paddi=
ng-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
								<table align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" class=3D=
"w-100p" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-lef=
t:auto;width:100%!important;" >
									<tbody>
										<tr>
											<td class=3D"pt-10 ta-c" style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant=
:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamon=
d, Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-heigh=
t-rule:exactly;" >
												<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;marg=
in-left:0;" >
													<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt-a/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:=
underline;" >It=E2=80=99s madness to sit exams on screens</a></p>
												<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;marg=
in-left:0;" >
													<em>Philip Womack</em></p>
											</td>
										</tr>
									</tbody>
								</table>
							</th>
						</tr>
					</tbody>
				</table>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td height=3D"1" style=3D"color:#ddd;backgrou=
nd-color:#ddd;background-image:none;background-repeat:repeat;background-pos=
ition:top left;background-attachment:scroll;font-size:1px;line-height:1px;m=
so-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	.</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:20px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;p=
adding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-we=
ight:normal;font-size:26px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New Roma=
n, Times, serif;line-height:36px;color:#b30517;mso-line-height-rule:exactly=
;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	Barometer</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cel=
lspacing=3D"0">
        <tbody><tr>
           =20
        <th class=3D"tflex" width=3D"190" align=3D"left" style=3D"vertical-=
align:top;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
            <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0">
                <tbody>
                <tr><td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:10px;padding-=
right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:no=
rmal;font-size:22px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Time=
s, serif;line-height:30px;color:#333;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" ><p sty=
le=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >Oil pric=
e (barrel of Brent crude)</p></td></tr>
                <tr><td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:15px;padding-=
right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:no=
rmal;font-size:32px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Time=
s, serif;line-height:36px;color:#333;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" ><p sty=
le=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >$79.75</=
p></td></tr>
                <tr><td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font=
-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New=
 Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-rule:exact=
ly;" >
                    <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0=
;margin-left:0;" >down 4.80% on the day, up 19.76% on a year ago</p>
                   =20
                </td></tr>
                </tbody>
            </table>
        </th>
            <th class=3D"tflex" width=3D"20" height=3D"20" style=3D"padding=
-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" ></th>
           =20
        <th class=3D"tflex" width=3D"190" align=3D"left" style=3D"vertical-=
align:top;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
            <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0">
                <tbody>
                <tr><td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:10px;padding-=
right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:no=
rmal;font-size:22px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Time=
s, serif;line-height:30px;color:#333;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" ><p sty=
le=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >GBP/USD =
exchange rate</p></td></tr>
                <tr><td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:15px;padding-=
right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:no=
rmal;font-size:32px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Time=
s, serif;line-height:36px;color:#333;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" ><p sty=
le=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >$1.34</p=
></td></tr>
                <tr><td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font=
-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New=
 Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-rule:exact=
ly;" >
                    <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0=
;margin-left:0;" >down 0.44=C2=A2 on the day, up 1.57=C2=A2 on a year ago</=
p>
                   =20
                </td></tr>
                </tbody>
            </table>
        </th>
            <th class=3D"tflex" width=3D"20" height=3D"20" style=3D"padding=
-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" ></th>
           =20
        <th class=3D"tflex" width=3D"190" align=3D"left" style=3D"vertical-=
align:top;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
            <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0">
                <tbody>
                <tr><td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:10px;padding-=
right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:no=
rmal;font-size:22px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Time=
s, serif;line-height:30px;color:#333;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" ><p sty=
le=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >Average =
new two-year fixed-rate mortgage</p></td></tr>
                <tr><td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:15px;padding-=
right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:no=
rmal;font-size:32px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Time=
s, serif;line-height:36px;color:#333;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" ><p sty=
le=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >5.63%</p=
></td></tr>
                <tr><td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font=
-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New=
 Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-rule:exact=
ly;" >
                    <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0=
;margin-left:0;" >no change on the day, up 0.61pts on a year ago</p>
                    <p style=3D"font-size:10px;line-height:10px;margin-top:=
0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >Rates from Moneyfacts</p>
                </td></tr>
                </tbody>
            </table>
        </th>
        </tr></tbody>
    </table>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td height=3D"1" style=3D"color:#ddd;backgrou=
nd-color:#ddd;background-image:none;background-repeat:repeat;background-pos=
ition:top left;background-attachment:scroll;font-size:1px;line-height:1px;m=
so-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	.</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td align=3D"center" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding=
-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-size:0;line-height:0;mso-line=
-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <span class=3D"wi-100p hm"><a href=3D"https://ble=
nd.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt-f/" style=3D"outline-s=
tyle:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" ><img src=3D"=
https=
://i5.cmail20.com=
/ei/j/46/F46/F39/csimport/Vueli=
oSpectatorAd710x130.094239.png" width=3D"710"  label=3D"Responsive_Banner D=
esktop" height=3D"130" style=3D"width:100% !important;font-style:normal;fon=
t-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16px;font-family:Times New Ro=
man, Times, serif, EBGaramond;line-height:20px;color:#333;vertical-align:to=
p;border-style:none;height:auto !important;" /></a></span>
                          <span class=3D"image-m" style=3D"display:none;fon=
t-size:0;line-height:0;" ><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yh=
lrlihk-dujyitlidt-z/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;tex=
t-decoration:underline;" ><img src=3D"https=
://i6.=
cmail20.com=
/ei/j/46/F46/F39/csimport/VuelioSpectatorAd500x225.094243.=
png" width=3D"500"  label=3D"Responsive_Banner Mobile" height=3D"225" style=
=3D"width:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font=
-size:0;font-family:Times New Roman, Times, serif, EBGaramond;line-height:0=
;color:#333;vertical-align:top;border-style:none;" /></a></span>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"line-height:0;mso-line-height-rule:exa=
ctly;" >
                          <div style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:norm=
al;font-weight:normal;font-size:1px;font-family:courier;line-height:0;color=
:#fff;" >
                           =20
                          </div>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
              </td>
           =20
            </tr><tr>
              <td class=3D"l-gray ptb-30" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bo=
ttom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;border-top-width:1px;border-top-style=
:solid;border-top-color:#ddd;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpadding=3D"0" ce=
llspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;margin-top:0=
;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                  <tr>
                    <td align=3D"center" style=3D"padding-top:50px;padding-=
bottom:15px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:22px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, T=
imes New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:30px;color:#333;mso-line-height-ru=
le:exactly;" >
                     =20
												Follow us
										=09
                    </td>
                  </tr>
                  <tr>
                    <td class=3D"pb-30" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bott=
om:40px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                      <table align=3D"center"  cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacin=
g=3D"0" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left=
:auto;" >
                        <tr>
                          <td class=3D"active-i" style=3D"mso-line-height-r=
ule:exactly;" >
                            <a  href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l=
-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt-v/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;outline-styl=
e:none;transition:all 0.3s ease;color:#8b8b8b;" >
                              <img src=3D"https=
://i3.=
cmail20.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/ico-twitter.png" width=3D=
"42"  alt=3D"twitter" style=3D"width:42px;font-style:normal;font-variant:no=
rmal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Ti=
mes New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:20px;color:#333;vertical-align:top;=
border-style:none;" />
                            </a>
                          </td>
                          <td width=3D"20" style=3D"mso-line-height-rule:ex=
actly;" ></td>
                          <td class=3D"active-i" style=3D"mso-line-height-r=
ule:exactly;" >
                            <a  href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l=
-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt-e/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;outline-styl=
e:none;transition:all 0.3s ease;color:#8b8b8b;" >
                              <img src=3D"https=
://i4.=
cmail20.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/ico-podcast.png" width=3D=
"42"  alt=3D"podcast" style=3D"width:42px;font-style:normal;font-variant:no=
rmal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Ti=
mes New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:20px;color:#333;vertical-align:top;=
border-style:none;" />
                            </a>
                          </td>
                          <td width=3D"20" style=3D"mso-line-height-rule:ex=
actly;" ></td>
                          <td class=3D"active-i" style=3D"mso-line-height-r=
ule:exactly;" >
                            <a  href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l=
-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt-s/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;outline-styl=
e:none;transition:all 0.3s ease;color:#8b8b8b;" >
                              <img src=3D"https=
://i5.=
cmail20.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/ico-facebook.png" width=
=3D"42"  alt=3D"facebook" style=3D"width:42px;font-style:normal;font-varian=
t:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond=
, Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:20px;color:#333;vertical-align:=
top;border-style:none;" />
                            </a>
                          </td>
                          <td width=3D"20" style=3D"mso-line-height-rule:ex=
actly;" ></td>
                          <td class=3D"active-i" style=3D"mso-line-height-r=
ule:exactly;" >
                            <a  href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l=
-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt-g/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;outline-styl=
e:none;transition:all 0.3s ease;color:#8b8b8b;" >
                              <img src=3D"https=
://i6.=
cmail20.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/ico-instagram.png" widt=
h=3D"42"  alt=3D"instagram" style=3D"width:42px;font-style:normal;font-vari=
ant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamo=
nd, Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:20px;color:#333;vertical-alig=
n:top;border-style:none;" />
                            </a>
                          </td>
                          <td width=3D"20" style=3D"mso-line-height-rule:ex=
actly;" ></td>
                          <td class=3D"active-i" style=3D"mso-line-height-r=
ule:exactly;" >
                            <a  href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l=
-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt-w/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;outline-styl=
e:none;transition:all 0.3s ease;color:#8b8b8b;" >
                              <img src=3D"https=
://i7.=
cmail20.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/ico-youtube.png" width=3D=
"42"  alt=3D"instagram" style=3D"width:42px;font-style:normal;font-variant:=
normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, =
Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:20px;color:#333;vertical-align:to=
p;border-style:none;" />
                            </a>
                          </td>
                        </tr>
                      </table>
                    </td>
                  </tr>
                  <tr>
                    <td align=3D"center" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bot=
tom:15px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                      <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrli=
hk-dujyitlidt-yd/" style=3D"outline-style:none;text-decoration:unde=
rline;color:#8b8b8b;" ><img src=3D"https=
://i8.=
cmail20.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/logo-02.png" width=3D"18"  alt=
=3D"twitter" style=3D"width:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font=
-weight:bold;font-size:16px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New Rom=
an, Times, serif;line-height:20px;color:#333;vertical-align:top;border-styl=
e:none;" /></a>
                    </td>
                  </tr>
                  <tr>
                    <td align=3D"center" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bot=
tom:15px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:norm=
al;font-weight:normal;font-size:22px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Time=
s New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:30px;color:#333;mso-line-height-rule:=
exactly;" >
                     =20
												Sign up for more <em>Spectator</em>&nbsp;newsletters <a href=3D=
"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-dujyitlidt-yu/" style=
=3D"outline-style:none;text-decoration:underline;color:#8b8b8b;" >here</a>
										=09
                    </td>
                  </tr>
                </table>
              </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align=3D"center" style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:=
normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:14px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, =
Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:18px;color:#333;letter-spacing:-0=
=2E5px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;=
margin-left:0;" >
                  View this message in a=20
                  <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-e-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt-r/" style=3D"text-decoration:underline;color:#8b8b8b;outl=
ine-style:none;" >web browser</a>
                </p>
                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;=
margin-left:0;" >
                  To stop receiving this newsletter, you can=20
                  <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-u-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt-y/" style=3D"text-decoration:underline;color:#8b8b8b;outl=
ine-style:none;" >unsubscribe</a>&nbsp;now
                </p>
                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;=
margin-left:0;" >
                  If you no longer want to hear from <em>The Spectator</em>=
, you can <a  href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt-jl/" style=3D"color:#8b8b8b;text-decoration:underline;outline-st=
yle:none;" >unsubscribe from all&nbsp;newsletters</a>
                </p>
                <p class=3D"ns" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
                  The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London,&nbsp;SW1H&nbs=
p;9HP
                </p>
                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;=
margin-left:0;" >
                 =20
													Contact us <a  href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhl=
rlihk-dujyitlidt-jr/" style=3D"color:#8b8b8b;text-decoration:underl=
ine;outline-style:none;" >www.spectator.co.uk/faqs</a>
											=09
                </p>
                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;=
margin-left:0;" >
                  Reg no. <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yh=
lrlihk-dujyitlidt-jy/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;te=
xt-decoration:underline;" >01232804</a> Copyright =C2=A9 2026 The Spectator=
 (1828) Ltd. All&nbsp;rights&nbsp;reserved.
                </p>
              </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td height=3D"30" style=3D"mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" ></=
td>
            </tr>
          </table>
        </td>
     =20
     =20
    </tr></table>
  <img src=3D"https://spectatoruk.cmail20.com=
/t/j-o-yhlrlihk-=
dujyitlidt/o.gif"  width=3D"1" height=3D"1" border=3D"0" alt=3D"" sty=
le=3D"visibility:hidden !important;display:block !important;height:1px !imp=
ortant;width:1px !important;border-width:0 !important;margin-top:0 !importa=
nt;margin-bottom:0 !important;margin-right:0 !important;margin-left:0 !impo=
rtant;padding-top:0 !important;padding-bottom:0 !important;padding-right:0 =
!important;padding-left:0 !important;" /></body>
</html>



--_1ece16ea-5a69-42fb-a034-1a604ee87388_--