Standpoint's editor Daniel Johnson has reviewed Standpoint advisory board member Gertrude Himmelfarb's new history of philo-Semitism for The Weekly Standard. In her magisterial work, Himmelfarb describes how and why Jews have been successful in England:

The New Culture Forum — a think-tank run by Standpoint columnist Peter Whittle — is hosting a lecture by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt on philanthropy and the recession. Standpoint readers are invited to this free event. Details as follows:

JULIE BINDEL

The influence of cowards and cultural relativists in the UK appears to have spread to the other side of the world. Australia, where sharia law has become a shadow legal system, has cited our apparent tolerance of polygamous and underage marriage amongst the Muslim community in a bid to justify its growing influence.

Daniel Johnson

In his October Wine column, Saintsbury quotes Dr Johnson on novelties to great effect: "...novelty is always grateful where it gives no pain." Well, the BBC gave me pain twice this week with its novelties.