Writers I like - part 1

I thought I would offer a short list of men of letters whose output I enjoy:

Charles Moore - former Telegraph editor turned columnist, Charles is probably my favourite writer in the British press. Articulate, though-provoking and witty, he's someone who really understands his readership, just like his mentor, the much lamented Bill Deedes. Charles is also leading a campaign against the BBC licence fee and he's one of a very small number of traditionalist Conservatives who backed David Cameron and recognised that the party needed to update its message. I saw Charles in person at Bournemouth in 2006 - he was chairing a Telegraph debate on the conference fringe, and an old lady passed out with the heat. Charles was a perfect picture - he halted the proceedings (cutting an impassioned Daniel Hannan off in his prime!) and came forward to see that the first aider was looking after the lady. No pushing people out the way, shouting "give her air!" or anything like that... just a calm, measured approach to see that things were being attended to, then he sat down again. All very British - struck just the right tone. In a better time, people like Charles would run the country.

Daniel Hannan - I've name-checked him before but he's worthy of another mention. Daniel is a former Telegraph journalist, turned MEP for the South East since 1999. He's made a name for himself by humiliating Gordon Brown in a blistering attack in the European Parliament, before recently being embroiled in a Labour smear campaign on his comments on the NHS. A regular on US television and co-author of "The Plan", a radical tract on how to "fix" Britain, Daniel is probably the passionate speaker I have ever seen. His blog is an education to read; Daniel is not averse to peppering his contributions with the odd Latin motif or line from Shakespeare. Someone who represents the intellectual wing of the 21st century Conservatives, I think Daniel will reach higher office than being a backbench MEP. Our loss if he doesn't.

Mark Steyn - a Canadian of Belgian extraction, educated in Birmingham (UK, not Alabama) and now lives in New Hampshire - he's been around a bit! Mark is probably the wittiest of the conservative commentariat; he's also a staunch libertarian who feels that Western values are worth defending. Mark has written an otherwise well-received book "America Alone", that managed to ruffle a few PC feathers in Canada - definitely worth a read. Sadly he's a bit less prolific than hitherto, at one time writing for newspapers across the Anglosphere. But his website is certainly worth a look. Mark started out as an arts commentator and one of the other reasons I admire him so is that he's a fellow Frank Sinatra fan. It's not all about the politics!

Matthew d'Ancona - Matt is now editor of the Spectator magazine but is also one of the best writers in the newspapers today. His Sunday Telegraph column is worth the cover price alone. He's a passionate Conservative but is objective enough to offer the party the benefit of his wisdom when he feels that they need it. The Speccie had a bit more of a Wodehousian feel to it in Boris's day, which I miss, but he's definitely one of the most important writers de nos jours.

More to follow!