Newspaper readers will know that there are certain columnists who drive you crazy and have you throwing your newspaper down in disgust. Then, there are those that have you nodding along in agreement.
For me, as a Daily Mail reader, the columnist who most aligns with my views is always Sarah Vine, ex-wife of government minister Michael Gove.
Now, for reasons that totally escape me, I know that lots of people call the Daily Mail the ‘Daily Fail’, but I read it every day. And I particularly find myself in agreement with Sarah Vine’s column – so I thought, why not talk to the lady herself? I wanted to see if we actually are on the same wavelength and just what makes her the voice of sense for me.
Interview with Sarah Vine
Janet: If you’re on social media, you’d think that the world was against the Daily Mail. Do you get much feedback from your columns?
Sarah: Lots, as a matter of fact. Not just from readers of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday, but via social media and in person too. I try to make people think beyond their first reaction to anything. I’m not always successful, but sometimes it can lead to genuinely constructive debate, and that’s the part I really enjoy.
Janet: So, following on from that, who chooses the topics you write about? Of course, you make them entirely topical, focusing on things that we’re all talking about. Are you told “please write about so and so”, or is it entirely down to you?
Sarah: I try to absorb as much information from as many different sources as I possibly can. Sometimes this can be very tiring and also quite depressing – but it’s just part of the job. And it has to be a constant process – I find I can never really switch off.
I also read lots of books and longer articles and just try to engage with them as much as I can. I look at things like Tik Tok and other social media platforms, not because I’m especially interested, but because it’s useful to know what’s going on outside of my immediate sphere. It’s important not to exist in a bubble.
When it comes to deciding what to write, that slightly depends. I normally offer up a couple of topics, then the desk decides what fits best with the day’s mix, and what other writers are covering.
I never get told what to write or say though, it’s always my choice. My editor is always reminding me: “it’s your column, Sarah”.
Janet: That’s interesting – obviously it never stops for you. To be honest, that sounds exhausting!
Now, one of the topics that’s often featured on lifestyle programmes is about older people being scammed. I myself must get three or four calls a week trying to get me to buy or download something and I’m not at all polite to them! For instance, when it was for life insurance, I told them that I didn’t intend to die, and then put the phone down.
Why do you think so many older people fall victim to scams?
Sarah: I think most people don’t expect to be scammed, and so they don’t always realise what’s happening at first – particularly older people who have quite a solid moral compass. That’s what the scammers take advantage of. It’s sad, but it’s a fact of life that the best people are often the most gullible.
Janet: Would you have any advice to help people avoid this? To stop being so polite perhaps?
Sarah: The way these scammers work is by trying to panic you into a response. For example, saying “do this NOW or else you’ll be liable for a massive fine”, or “take up this offer NOW or else you’ll never have another opportunity”.
No. No one reputable ever makes unsolicited calls – just hang up.
Janet: It doesn’t sound like you have much downtime, but when you do, what’s your favourite television show?
Sarah: Definitely Antiques Roadshow. It’s always informative and often very unintentionally entertaining, which is the best sort of fun.
Janet: Have you ever bought anything at a car boot sale that you’d consider taking along yourself?
Sarah: Never! But my daughter and I love selling at car boot sales together – it’s our idea of a fun day out!
Janet: And books – when you get to read for pleasure, what genre do you most enjoy? Do you have a favourite book you could recommend to readers?
Sarah: If you like history, Simon Sebag Montefiore’s book, The World: A Family History of Humanity, is brilliant. I also love Tom Holland’s books (one of the hosts of the Rest is History podcast) and the Mapp and Lucia novels by E.F. Benson – they’re brilliant social comedies.
Janet: Okay, so you’ve written your column and watched the latest episode of Antiques Roadshow, it’s now time to relax – what do you do?
Sarah: Oh, that’s easy, I have a lovely warm bath with magnesium flakes and a dash of Olverum bath oil, followed by a snooze or a movie.
Janet: Changing the subject, I’m a true fan of the royals and I know you’ve previously written about them. What do you think about Harry and Meghan – do you think they should be stripped of their titles?
Sarah: Yes, I do. I think that they’re both so rude and ungrateful and they’ve done so much personal damage to the family. I think there’s an issue with that though, in that if Meghan was no longer ‘Duchess’ she’d end up being ‘Princess’ (as Harry is a Prince by birth and that can’t be taken away from him). Honestly, I think the best strategy now is to just ignore them.
Janet: I’ll agree with that, although they don’t make it easy!
Now, on getting older, my local community centre has just received a grant for a free, women-only, weekly yoga class which I absolutely love. What exercise do you do?
Sarah: I use my bike as much as I can and I walk everywhere. I’ve also done reformer Pilates for years. It’s quite boring, but very effective. The only annoying thing is that my classes are now full of 20-year-olds who want to go at breakneck speed.
I wish someone would start a chain of studios just for the over-50s, so I don’t have to spend my time staring at other people’s perfect bottoms!
Janet: Brilliant idea – why not take it onto Dragon’s Den? I’d definitely join!
My next question stems from how, when working from home, I’ve found my makeup lasts much longer, which gives me a chance to buy my favourites. What are your go-to makeup brands (if any)?
Sarah: My favourite brands are Chanel (for the theatre of it) and Nars (for the colours and textures). Skincare-wise, I love Sisley, but it’s ruinously expensive.
Janet: I’ll agree with you on Chanel, but I don’t think I’ve ever tried Nars. I’m rather fond of Charlotte Tilbury myself.
Sarah: I like Charlotte Tilbury’s makeup, but she gets on my nerves.
Janet: Since I retired during lockdown, I’ve been cooking more or less everything from scratch. Do you cook?
Sarah: I do cook from scratch, but I’m quite a simple cook. I like nice veg, done well, good spuds, with some decent protein – chicken, beef, fish, I’ll eat most things.
I tend to use a lot of fresh herbs and probably rather too much garlic – my cooking is quite Mediterranean. I’m not keen on heavy dishes or fancy sauces, although I do love Indian food (sadly it doesn’t love me though!).
I bought a soup maker a few years ago which gets used a lot in the winter. My big weakness is bread – I love a bit of sourdough. Oh, and eggs.
Janet: I’m with you there! Sourdough bread with dipping oils is my idea of a great supper. And I’ve just discovered frozen garlic, which is apparently what they use in restaurants, and I also use far too much of it. Luckily, my husband is a garlic freak as well.
Recently I’ve noticed that every time I turn on the television, it seems there’s a celebrity version of a show on – would you consider doing a celebrity something?
Sarah: Well, yes…I’ve been invited onto I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here a couple of times, but I’ve always said no on the basis that being a Daily Mail writer and also a politician’s ex-wife is a sure-fire recipe for being forced to eat my own weight in kangaroo penis.
Would I do Strictly? Maybe, but I’m a terrible dancer and my knees are pretty rickety.
Janet: What about quiz shows: Tipping Point, The Chase, or Pointless – do you fancy any of those?
Sarah: I’m terrible at quizzes, my brain just switches off!
Janet: Well, it’s been great talking with you – thank you so much.
So, there you have it! Sarah Vine, Pilates lover, dancer with creaky-knees, and garlic-laden cook.
Do you enjoy reading newspaper columns? What are some of your favourite ones? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.