Home/Royal Mail/SARAH VINE answers your questions RECAP: From politics to the Royal Family and Taylor Swift to Baby Reindeer, no subject was off limits for the Mail’s star columnist
SARAH VINE answers your questions RECAP: From politics to the Royal Family and Taylor Swift to Baby Reindeer, no subject was off limits for the Mail’s star columnist
MAILBOX: In our new Q&A series, we’re inviting you to submit your questions on any topic to be answered by some of the Mail’s brilliant stars. SARAH VINE was in the hotseat this afternoon, for one hour from 3pm.
It comes after Royal Editor Rebecca English’s fascinating responses for Mailbox in March, following Peter Hitchens taking the chair in February. Here was our live coverage today – you can read it again below:
This live blog has now closed.
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Thank you
Thanks so much joining our live Q&A with Sarah this afternoon. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading through her answers.
Stay tuned to see which Mail columnist will be up next to answer your questions!
‘Do you think the young Harry Potter stars who have spoken out against JK Rowling will come to regret their words?’
SARAH: ‘I think they are so tin-eared and arrogant, it’s unlikely. The self-righteously woke rarely question themselves – they simply dismiss all criticism of them as prejudice.’
‘How are you now that your children are growing up? Have you got an impending sense of empty nest when they move on to uni etc?’
SARAH: ‘I can’t wait for them to get their own place so me and the dog can finally have some peace and quiet. (Only joking, kids. I love you).’
‘What are your views on the Huw Edwards scandal? Was he right to leave the BBC? Do you feel sorry for him at all?’
SARAH: ‘I think he had to leave. I am told that he was not greatly loved by his colleagues. But mainly his behaviour undermined all his authority as the solemn face of the BBC at major events. I am fascinated as to why someone in his exhalted position can end up self-sabotaging such an illustrious career in such a catastrophic way.’
‘Are you a big reader and if so who are your favourite authors, and which are your favourite novels?’
SARAH: ‘I am a big reader, but not as much as I would like as I spend a lot of time reading for work. I love Tom Holland (the historian, not Spiderman) and am a huge fan of 19th fiction, particularly Lovecraft and the like.’
‘What is your view on Katie Price’s continual escape from accountability?’
SARAH: ‘I think she’s completely off the rails. I feel a little sorry for her actually. She leads a tragic and chaotic life, and she has destroyed herself with plastic surgery.’
‘Do you think the BBC should change presenters on Question Time? I really like Fiona Bruce but she is not strong enough with the panel especially with the MPs. Get someone in to make them answer the direct questions’
SARAH: ‘I think Andrew Neil should present Question Time – mind like a steel trap and the manners of a badger.’
‘Dear Sarah, Do you think that the age difference between Gen Z including people up to about 40ish have an unbelievably different outlook on life to the older generations? I know that there has always been a big difference but it seems to me that it’s so much more exaggerated nowadays.’
SARAH: ‘Dear Diana, I agree with you: very different outlook. I think the main driver of this is the internet, I’m afraid. It’s shortened everyone’s attention span.’
‘Do you have any plans to write your memoirs? I, for one, would love to read it!’
SARAH: ‘Thank you, Chelsea – I’m actually working on something at the moment. I’m getting a very old friend to help me.’
‘Do you think that Rishi Sunak can turn things around and win the next election?’
Submitted by ProofBambooPeony
SARAH: ‘I admire him for trying and I think he has had a few very successful weeks. I think he is very good on social policy – banning smartphones for the under 16s, encouraging those with mild mental health issues to go back to work. But ultimately he can’t undo the chaos of the past few years, and that is what people are fed up with. Politics is like comedy: it’s all about timing. And his, sadly, is off.’
‘What was it like being married to a high profile figure in British politics and having to deal with public interest in your private life?’
SARAH: ‘Hard work. People make all sorts of assumptions about you that aren’t true, and it’s soul destroying. But it’s especially hard for the kids.’
‘Queen Elizabeth II used to say ‘we have to be seen to be believed’. As Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are currently 6th and 7th in line to the throne, why do you believe Prince Harry has chosen to disregard his late granny’s sage advice?’
Submitted by Edwina Space
SARAH: ‘I have no idea. It is very silly of him, and ultimately will hurt them more than anyone else. I understand that he might want to preserve their privacy – but the truth is they are who they are, and a degree of exposure is inevitable. Better to manage it sensibly than bury their heads in the sand.’
‘In another life, if you hasn’t been a journalist, what would you have liked to do instead?’
Submitted by Steph Surrey
SARAH: ‘I would love to own an antiques/bookshop. And present the Antiques Roadshow.’
‘Where were you when the Queen died and what was your first reaction?’
SARAH: ‘I was in the office. I remember seeing that rainbow above Windsor on the TV screen, and feeling a great sense of sadness.’
‘Assuming that Labour wins the forthcoming General Election, how do you rate the chances of there being a vote of no confidence in Keir Starmer within his first year as PM and being replaced by a far-Left PM of the Jeremy Corbyn genre?’
SARAH: ‘Good question. I think it’s a very real danger, in part because Starmer is no Blair. He’s not that impressive, and if the Tories are decimated there will be little or no effective opposition.
‘Who is the most interesting celebrity or individual you have ever had dinner with?’
SARAH: ‘Probably the King, just because… well, he’s the King. But Joan Collins comes a close second. Brilliant mixture of haughty and naughty.’
Pictured: Charles and Joan Collins in 1985
‘Given the amount of violence, especially knife crime and the tragic events of yesterday, do you believe that the justice system that we currently have, is fit for purpose? What are your thoughts on mandatory sentences for carrying weapons being introduced and what are your thoughts on minimum terms for offences, ie minimum of 25 years for murder regardless?’
SARAH: ‘I think the situation with knife crime is complex and not fully understood… a huge part of it is cultural, to do with glorification of gang violence and a rudderless youth culture. There has always been violence on our streets – growing up in London in the eighties there were stabbings, and let’s not forget the mods and rockers etc, Clockwork Orange. I think in part it’s a lot more visible now, thanks to social media etc – but there is definitely a sense that there are no serious repercussions for carrying weapons. Zero tolerance on this would go a long way to changing that but unfortunately the bleeding heart liberal narrative prevails. I don’t care who it offends: we just need to get these weapons out of circulation.’
‘What did you make of the video of Michael Gove dancing in the club? Did you and Michael ever go clubbing together?’
SARAH: ‘Sorry Anthea, I don’t engage with trolls.’
‘What is your opinion of “Freedom of Speech” considering that protesting students in various American universities are being targeted and silenced?’
SARAH: ‘They don’t seem very cowed to me. All in favour of free speech. But there is a difference between expressing your opinions and beliefs and wanting to impose them on others. I am in favour of the former, but not the latter.’
‘If you could have a dinner with four notable people – alive or dead – who would they be? And where would you go?’
SARAH: ‘Dante Alighieri, Julius Caesar, Caravaggio and Elizabeth I. I would go to the Cipriani in Venice.’
‘Do you think that the NHS should be restructured along the lines of the French or German health care systems which are more successful with better outcomes?’
Submitted by Thomas Taylor
SARAH: ‘Absolutely. For me this is one big opportunity the Tories have missed. They could have easily implemented root and branch reform along these lines, and breathed new life into an old and tired institution as well as improved outcomes for patient. But they lacked the courage and the vision. And now it’s too late. But it’s the only sensible way forward IMHO.’
‘Dear Sarah, where did you train as a journalist? Were you ever a news reporter?’
Submitted by Lotte Hughes
SARAH: ‘Hi Lotte, I learned on the job. After graduating from UCL, I trained at the Daily Mirror as a sub-editor. After that I worked for several years as a jobbing sub-editor across many publications – Guardian, Express, Mail on Sunday – before moving into commissioning roles, then editing. I went to the Times in about 1997, where I was Arts Editor before moving to Leaders. I was never a news reporter – my area was always arts, features, op-ed.’
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‘Can Meghan and Harry be stripped of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, and how likely is it? Have King Charles and Prince William had enough of their shenanigans?’
SARAH: ‘I think it’s unlikely that the King would do it… maybe Prince William. I think a lot depends on the next few years. Personally I don’t think they should keep their titles, but there is a slight issue in that if she is stripped of the Sussex moniker, then I think she gets to call herself ‘Princess’, ludicrously. But my colleague Robert Hardman is the real expert on all this.’
‘With recent events in mind, for instance the alleged honeytrap plot carried out against MPs, as well as Mark Menzies’s recent antics, my question is why is there no integrity in the Tory party? Is enough being done to combat Tory sleeze?’
SARAH: ‘Most politicians, of all colours, start out with the best intentions. But it’s a dirty business, and it corrupts.’
‘What has been the highlight of your career so far?’
SARAH: ‘Being asked to write the front page on the death of the Queen. A huge honour.’
‘I read that you are godmother to one of Lord Cameron’s daughters. Are you still close friends? What do you think of his appointment as foreign secretary and do you think he is doing a good job?’
SARAH: ‘I am indeed – Florence. Sadly we are no longer close friends. But I think he’s great as foreign sec, actually. I reckon he would make a good party leader one day…’
‘What are your views on the new Baby Reindeer Netflix series? Do you think Richard Gadd was right to put this out there and do you feel sorry at all for the stalker?’
SARAH: ‘I’m afraid I have only watched the first few episodes, but I enjoyed them immensely and thought the way she was portrayed was very nuanced, given everything. I do feel sorry for her, actually. Clearly not a well woman.’
‘How do you think the Waleses are coping following Kate’s cancer diagnosis? When Kate comes back into the public fold, will anything be different?’
SARAH: ‘I think it’s like any family going through a serious illness: frightening, stressful, lots of uncertainty. A friend of mine is going through a similar thing at the moment with her daughter, and it’s very hard, particularly when the children are so young. When she eventually returns to the public eye, I think people will be very respectful of her situation and allow her plenty of time and space. She was already one of the most popular royals – I don’t see that changing anytime soon.’
‘In a recent episode of your weekly show, you said you were a fan of Taylor Swift. Do you think she is a good example to young girls? And what is your favourite song?’
SARAH: ‘I think she’s a great example of a hard-working, independent woman who knows her own mind and talent. As to songs, top of my Spotify playlist is Lover. Also Paper Rings and I Think He Knows. I haven’t had a chance to listen to the new album yet but am looking forward to it.’
‘What was it like being married to the charismatic Michael Gove?’
SARAH: ‘I learned a great deal.’
‘Do you think that a change in the constitution – ie abolishing the House of Lords or taking away the constitutional right of the Royal Family so they have a ceremonial role – would be more in keeping with a modern democratic country?’
SARAH: ‘No. The House of Lords is overcrowded and far too stacked with cronies, but it nevertheless performs an important function in principle. I would not abolish it, merely institute a time-limit on peerages – say ten years – in order to keep it in check. As to the constitutional monarchy, I think the past few years have only reinforced the important position the Royal Family holds in the British psyche, especially in times of political turmoil.’
‘Do you think Harry and Meghan can possibly be welcomed back as part-time working royals after everything they have said about the Royal Family in interviews, podcasts, Harry’s book Spare, as well as not distancing themselves from nasty comments made by their spokesperson Omid Scobie, particularly about King Charles and the Princess of Wales?’
SARAH: ‘Hi Joychrista. I think it would one day be possible, given that blood is thicker than water, but they would have to work hard to earn back the trust of not just members of the Royal Family but also the British public. That said, it’s not going to happen any day soon. I suspect it will be the next generation – their children, the Prince of Wales’s children – who eventually heal that rift, if they ever do.’
Get ready… the Q&A is about to begin
Sarah Vine is ready to take your questions in the next few minutes – stay tuned to see what she has to say.
How to ask Sarah Vine a question today
You can submit your questions to Sarah by emailing mailbox@dailymail.co.uk, or simply post them below in the comments section of this article.
Ten minutes until Sarah Vine’s Q&A begins
Stay tuned – Sarah Vine is in the building and we’ll be handing over to her shortly to begin answering your questions.
Following on from Rebecca’s appearance on Mailbox in March, MailOnline went back through the Q&A to bring you all the highlights.
Among the topics were how some senior royals are ‘frustrated’ at calls for them to ‘step up’ – and how Charles is hoping to go on a foreign trip this autumn.
You can read the full recap again by clicking below:
In the second Mailbox Q&A back in March, we had the Mail’s Royal Editor Rebecca English in the hotseat – and she gave a series of fascinating insights into her reporting.
From Prince Harry to Queen Camilla and the ‘slimmed-down monarchy’ to the Duke of Gloucester, Rebecca covered a wide range of topics.
Click below to read through her replies again now:
While we wait for Sarah Vine to start answering your questions at 3pm today, let’s have a look back at the first Mailbox Q&A with Peter Hitchens in February.
He answered a series of questions on topics from legalising cannabis to Covid rules, and from the future of the Royal Family to his favourite comedians.
Click below to read through his responses again now:
‘Tin hat on’: Sarah prepares for your questions
Sarah Vine has tweeted about today’s Mailbox Q&A as she gets ready to take your questions in just over 20 minutes:
What are the rules?
All submissions will be subject to our house rules – click here to read them.
How to submit a question in the comments
You can also post your questions live in the comments section during the Q&A. If you aren’t yet registered to comment, you will need to register to become a commenter in order to submit your questions. Register by clicking here.
How can you submit a question via email?
Submit your questions by emailing mailbox@dailymail.co.uk and the best ones will be selected by our team and put to Sarah.
Welcome to Mailbox with Sarah Vine
You told us you wanted to put your questions directly to our journalists, so here’s your chance!
In Mailbox, our new Q&A series, we’re inviting you to submit your questions on any topic to be answered by our some of the Mail’s brilliant stars.
In February, we started off with columnist Peter Hitchens, who answered questions on topics from Ukraine to Covid.
Then in March, it was Rebecca English, who has been covering the royals for the Daily Mail for over 20 years.
Today, it’s Sarah Vine, who has been a columnist for the Daily Mail for over ten years, covering everything from politics to the Royal Family. She also co-hosts The Reaction, our weekly current affairs series with Andrew Pierce.
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SARAH VINE answers your questions RECAP: From politics to the Royal Family and Taylor Swift to Baby Reindeer, no subject was off limits for the Mail’s star columnist
