Coffee House Shots
2,109 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★ - 134 ratingsInstant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Fraser Nelson, Isabel Hardman, Katy Balls, James Heale and many others.
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Episodes
What do the local results mean for the next general election?
May 07, 2022 09:00 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBKaty Balls, James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman delve into the 2022 local election results and discuss how the Conservatives will adapt their strategy in order to remain in power.
Can the Lib Dem's declare victory?
May 06, 2022 16:54 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBWe've had more election results in and it looks like the Lib Dems will be celebrating tonight, encroaching on many Tory seats around the country. But is this Liberal passion from voters or disaffection with the two major parties? Katy Balls talks with James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman about all the latest results.
Who are the ‘winners’ in the local elections?
May 06, 2022 10:57 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBThe results are coming in! While the Tories seem to have done quite badly in the capital, Labour have not made the gains in the rest of the country that many predicted they would. The Lib Dems and the Greens have had a good showing so far but we won't know just how good until the full tally of results come in. Isabel Hardman talks with Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Is the UK headed towards recession?
May 05, 2022 16:03 - 10 minutes - 9.63 MBThe Monetary Policy Committee has just raised interest rates again. This is the fourth consecutive rise, the first time this has happened within a quarter of a century. Economically the future is looking pretty bleak and not just in the UK, this looks like it may be a global problem caused by several factors. China's no Covid policies, US inflation, the Eurozone trying to wean itself off Russia's oil and gas, etc. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Kate Andrews about the state of the glo...
Could Labour overtake the Tories in Scotland?
May 04, 2022 16:52 - 9 minutes - 8.72 MBA new poll from ComRes has shown Scottish Labour taking second place in tomorrow's local elections, overtaking the Scottish Conservatives. On the podcast, James Forsyth explains the torrid flip-flop that Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Tories, has made over partygate, first calling for Boris Johnson to resign before rowing back ('He thought that the 54 letters triggering a vote of no confidence were on their way in'). Katy Balls also talks to Isabel Hardman about the Environment Secret...
What does victory look like in the local elections?
May 03, 2022 15:59 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBCampaigning in the local elections is entering its final few days. But what are the expectations for the Tories and Labour and can they be met? Both leaders Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer have already put their foot in it to some degree, with the Labour leader getting rather too defensive about his lockdown mid-work beer and Boris seeming out of touch over the cost of living crisis. Isabel Hardman talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about the state of the race.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 01/05/22
May 01, 2022 15:16 - 9 minutes - 8.65 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up the best bits from Sunday's political shows, with Kwasi Kwarteng, Sir Keir Starmer, David Lammy, Adrian Bailey and Sir Ed Davey.
Why is it so hard to become a British citizen?
April 30, 2022 09:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBA big congratulations to Linda Nelson who has just become a British citizen. Fraser details the long and taxing journey it took for his wife to reach this point in his Telegraph column this week and asks why as an immigrant nation do we make becoming British so challenging for new arrivals? On the podcast, Fraser talks with Cindy Yu and James Forsyth about this question. And Cindy brings a few questions from the citizenship test, to see if her colleagues would pass.
Will Starmer get a Covid fine?
April 29, 2022 15:08 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBLabour has admitted that deputy leader Angela Rayner, was also at an event where Keir Starmer was pictured drinking a beer. Could the pair be fined? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Kate Andrews
Is Pestminster back?
April 28, 2022 17:10 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBThis has been a bad week for the reputation of the House of Commons. From inappropriate comments toward female MPs, three cabinet ministers facing sexual misconduct claims and one MP accused of watching pornography in the chamber. Can anything be done to change this grotesque culture? And is it Westminster specific or an issue with society at large? Isabel Hardman talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Does Westminster need a HR Department?
April 28, 2022 17:10 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBThis has been a bad week for the reputation of the House of Commons. From inappropriate comments toward female MPs, three cabinet ministers facing sexual misconduct claims and one MP accused of watching pornography in the chamber. Can anything be done to change this grotesque culture? And is it Westminster specific or an issue with society at large? Isabel Hardman talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Will MPs be hit by another sleaze scandal?
April 27, 2022 16:51 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBThe chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris has started an investigation after a female Tory MP reported that she had seen a male colleague watching pornography in the House of Commons. This comes in the wake of the Mail On Sunday's Angela Rayner/Basic Instinct story, and of the Sunday Times's investigation that three current cabinet ministers are under investigation for #MeToo claims. Will more allegations come out of the woodwork in the coming days? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Can the Cabinet really solve the 'cost of living' crisis?
April 26, 2022 11:23 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBToday a pre-briefing on what Boris Johnson plans to say to the Cabinet about the cost of living crisis was released. He wants them to brainstorm ideas to ease the pain felt by the British public in the face of rising prices of food and energy. The catch, is these have to be non-fiscal ways. Isabel Hardman talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about how effective these plans could be and how they may be received by the voters. To keep up to date with the world of Westminster, sign up for u...
Can the Cabinet really solve cost of living?
April 26, 2022 11:23 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBToday a pre-briefing on what Boris Johnson plans to say to the Cabinet about the cost of living crisis was released. He wants them to brainstorm ideas to ease the pain felt by the British public in the face of rising prices of food and energy. The catch, is these have to be non-fiscal ways. Isabel Hardman talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about how effective these plans could be and how they may be received by the voters. To keep up to date with the world of Westminster, sign up for u...
What does Macron's victory mean for Anglo/French relations?
April 25, 2022 15:15 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBFrench President, Emmanuel Macron secured victory over the weekend. But with the election over, will we see a reset in relations between the UK and France? Apart from support for Ukraine, there has been little the governments on either side of the Channel have agreed on. Katy Balls is joined by Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth to test the temperature of these turbulent political waters, as well as giving a look forward to our own local elections in May.
What does Macron's victory mean for Anglo-French relations?
April 25, 2022 15:15 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBFrench President, Emmanuel Macron secured victory over the weekend. But with the election over, will we see a reset in relations between the UK and France? Apart from support for Ukraine, there has been little the governments on either side of the Channel have agreed on. Katy Balls is joined by Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth to test the temperature of these turbulent political waters, as well as giving a look forward to our own local elections in May.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 24/04/22
April 24, 2022 17:03 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Sir Keir Starmer, Oliver Dowden and Jamie Wallis.
Why are most Tory MPs so quiet over partygate?
April 23, 2022 09:00 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBAt the beginning of the year, letters from Conservative MPs looked to be reaching the 54 threshold needed to trigger a no-confidence vote in Boris Johnson. Most would think a fixed penalty notice from the Met would bring us at least back to those levels. And though there have been some full-throated calls of support and condemnation of his leadership from his parliamentary party, the majority have remained conspicuously quiet. James Forsyth asks Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson why?
What's behind Boris's trip to India?
April 22, 2022 11:52 - 8 minutes - 7.93 MBBoris Johnson has met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to discuss defence, energy and trade ties. Will he be able to secure a trade deal with India? Meanwhile back at home, Boris Johnson faces an investigation by the Commons Committee of Privileges over claims he misled Parliament on partygate. All to be discussed as Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson
Why did No. 10 U-turn on the vote?
April 21, 2022 16:20 - 13 minutes - 12 MBThe government's response to Labour wanting to refer the Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee – who could then rule that he mislead the Commons – has been messy. At first, Conservative MPs were to be forced to vote with the government against the motion, but No. 10 then changed its position, saying it would be a free vote. Why the U-turn? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Will Tory MPs rebel in partygate vote?
April 20, 2022 16:59 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBTomorrow there will be a vote in the Commons where Labour is pushing for an investigation into whether Boris Johnson is in contempt of Parliament over his comments on partygate. Which way will the Tory MPs vote? 'Tory MPs are sick to the back teeth of partygate now' - James Forsyth. All to be discussed as Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson.
Boris says sorry. Is it enough?
April 19, 2022 19:01 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBBoris Johnson faced MPs today for the first time since he was issued a fine for breaking lockdown rules. He apologised in the Commons, but maintained that he did not know he was breaking any rules at the time. Is that enough? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth.
What is the secret to Boris Johnson's political survival?
April 15, 2022 09:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBCindy Yu, Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls discuss the Prime Minister's remarkable ability to keep his head above the surface of even the choppiest waters.
Is the government's Rwandan immigration plan viable?
April 14, 2022 16:37 - 11 minutes - 11 MBThis week the government has announced a pilot scheme meant to address the increasing number of asylum seekers dangerously crossing the English Channel. While some have criticised this plan as expensive and immoral it could prove to be popular among large swathes of Conservative voters. Cindy Yu talks with Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls about this new policy as well as giving us a partygate update.
Has Boris pulled through?
April 13, 2022 12:43 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBAfter the news of the fixed penalty notices, Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson and Rishi Sunak paid their fines and issued a public apology. For Boris, the reaction has been surprisingly positive compared to the beginning of the year. The majority of cabinet ministers have come out in support of the Prime Minister, but there are still some voices of discontent. Nigel Mills was the first Tory MP to announce he no longer has faith in the Prime Minister and thinks he should resign, who w...
Has Boris got away with it?
April 13, 2022 12:43 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBAfter the news of the fixed penalty notices, Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson and Rishi Sunak paid their fines and issued a public apology. For Boris, the reaction has been surprisingly positive compared to the beginning of the year. The majority of cabinet ministers have come out in support of the Prime Minister, but there are still some voices of discontent. Nigel Mills was the first Tory MP to announce he no longer has faith in the Prime Minister and thinks he should resign, who w...
Boris and Rishi fined: what happens now?
April 12, 2022 14:22 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBBoris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have been told that they are going to be fixed penalty notices by the Metropolitan Police over parties held in Downing Street. The Chancellor has already had a tough week – might he now resign? Could Tory MPs push the Prime Minister out of No. 10? Isabel Hardman speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.
Are Tories faced with another sleaze scandal?
April 12, 2022 12:24 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBCrispin Blunt, a Conservative MP, was forced to apologise today after he tweeted support last night for Imran Ahmad Khan, another Tory MP who was found guilty of sexual assault. His statement called the verdict 'a dreadful miscarriage of justice' that relied on ‘lazy tropes of LGBT+ people'. ‘The condemnation has been pretty universal. I haven’t spoken to anyone that has who has stuck up for him [Crispin Blunt].’ - Lucy Fisher In the wake of the David Warburton scandal last week, does the...
Have Tory MPs turned on Rishi?
April 11, 2022 15:10 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBRishi Sunak has referred himself to Boris Johnson’s ethics advisor to investigate whether he followed the rules on ministers' interests. After the row over Rishi Sunak’s wife’s tax status has built up, how much has this weakened his position as a possible contender for the Tory leadership? ‘The two top players in the Tory Party have suddenly been taken out and it's now not clear who else there is in the government that can provide new momentum' - Paul Goodman Also on the podcast, Boris Joh...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 10/04/22
April 10, 2022 14:12 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBIsabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's politics shows. Today's podcast features Kit Malthouse, Yvette Cooper, Caroline Lucas and Ihor Zhovkva.
Is Macron heading for a nasty surprise on Sunday?
April 09, 2022 09:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBAhead of the first round of France's presidential elections on Sunday, Katy Balls asks whether Emmanuel Macron will be able to justify his apparent distance from the campaign trail. Taking part in the discussion are regular magazine columnist Jonathan Miller, Georgina Wright of the think tank Institute Montaigne, and the Spectator's data journalist Michael Simmons.
Is Macron in for a surprise?
April 09, 2022 09:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBAhead of the first round of France's presidential elections on Sunday, Katy Balls asks whether Emmanuel Macron will be able to justify his apparent distance from the campaign trail. Taking part in the discussion with Katy Balls are Spectator contributor Jonathan Miller, Georgina Wright, from Institute Montaigne, and The Spectator's data journalist Michael Simmons.
Can the Chancellor recover?
April 08, 2022 15:57 - 10 minutes - 9.19 MBThe Rishi Sunak star seems to be falling further every day. The latest revelation is that he and his wife, Akshata Murthy held American green cards for some time while Rishi was Chancellor. The response from his crisis coms team has been muddled at best. Is there any way for the former golden boy to restore his shine? Cindy Yu talks with Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls.
Has Boris missed an opportunity with onshore wind?
April 07, 2022 12:07 - 9 minutes - 9 MBThe government is publishing its long-awaited energy security strategy today, but Labour has criticised it for the strategy's lack of action on onshore wind. Has Boris wrongly buckled to backbenchers on a policy that would have been efficient and popular? Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. Isabel argues that 'the failure of the Conservative government over the past - it's been more than a decade now - to address Britain's supply needs has come home to roost now'. They also di...
Is the energy strategy a missed opportunity?
April 07, 2022 12:07 - 9 minutes - 9 MBThe government is publishing its long-awaited energy security strategy today, but Labour has criticised it for the strategy's lack of action on onshore wind, among other concerns. Has Boris wrongly buckled to backbenchers on a policy that would have been efficient and popular? Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. Isabel argues that 'the failure of the Conservative government over the past - it's been more than a decade now - to address Britain's supply needs has come home to roo...
What’s behind Sunak’s poll slide?
April 06, 2022 16:47 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBThe National Insurance hike comes into effect today which is going to hit doubly hard when coupled with the ever-increasing cost of living. While we are all going to feel this burden on our bank accounts, Rishi Sunak is taking his first major political blow. Is there anything he can do to bounce back, or are his future aspirations dead in the water? Max Jeffery talks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews about the Chancellor's political future and our economic one.
Should Channel 4 be privatised?
April 05, 2022 14:55 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBThere has been a wave of backlash against the government's announcement that it intends to privatise Channel 4. What's behind their decision? Some argue it could be politically motivated given that Channel 4 has historically been a left-leaning news organisation. Also on the podcast, Iain Anderson has resigned as the UK's LQBTQ business champion over the government's u-turn on trans conversation therapy. He said the decision to exclude trans people from the conversion therapy ban was 'deep...
Could Boris ditch net zero?
April 04, 2022 12:30 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBThe government will publish its long-awaited energy security strategy this Thursday. The plan, which has been repurposed since Putin's invasion of Ukraine, is expected to include commitments to reduce the 6 per cent of energy Britain currently gets from Russia, and pledges to increase the use of nuclear energy. But could net zero, a priority for the Prime Minister when he went into No. 10, also be quietly shelved? Cindy Yu speaks to Fraser Nelson, Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. To get a wee...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 03/04/22
April 03, 2022 17:52 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBIsabel Hardman hosts the highlights from the day's political shows, with Sergey Nikiforov, Grant Shapps, Jonathan Reynolds, Alicia Kearns, Herman Halushchenko and Nathan McGovern.
What does victory for Ukraine look like?
April 02, 2022 09:00 - 21 minutes - 20.2 MBThis week it looks like the war in Ukraine is turning. The Ukrainian resistance has moved from the defensive to the offensive against their invaders and American intelligence has reported that the Russian forces are struggling by almost every metric. What does a true victory look like? And what should our attitude towards Russia be when the conflict ends? Cindy Yu is joined by Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth and Paul Mason to discuss.
Does national security need to be redefined?
April 01, 2022 13:48 - 10 minutes - 9.71 MBThe cost of living crisis became a reality as millions today face a £700 per year price hike to their energy bills. What can the government do to support those that fall into fuel poverty? Also on the podcast, the government has quietly approved the takeover of Newport Wafer Fab by a Chinese owned technology company, Wingtech. As the largest microchip firm in the country, what could this mean for China's dominance in the semiconductor market? 'China wants to create a market-dominant positi...
Can Boris convince Nato to send tanks?
March 31, 2022 11:49 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBWe've learnt from a speech this morning from GCHQ director Jeremy Fleming that the Russian army is in even more disarray than was previously thought. This has led some to think that not only could the Ukrainians succeed in holding the Russians at bay but even opens up the possibility of them retaking some of the lands that the Kremlin has already captured. But to be successful in this they would need to be sent more offensive weaponry than the UK and Nato have given so far. Boris Johnson see...
Have the Tories forgiven Boris for partygate?
March 30, 2022 15:43 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBDespite the fines issued yesterday, Keir Starmer's attacks at Prime Minister's Questions today failed to land on Boris Johnson. In part, this was down to the Prime Minister's 'remarkably pugnacious' attitude, according to James Forsyth on this episode. What's more, it seems that Conservative MPs are happy to allow partygate to take a back seat for now. James remarks that 'previously when Boris Johnson tried that kind of very aggressive tactic... you could see the discomfort on Tory benches. ...
Will we find out who got fined?
March 29, 2022 12:35 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBPartygate is back in the news with fines being issued by the Metropolitan Police to twenty individuals. But this is not the end of the matter, this is only the first batch of fines and the full Sue Grey report is still to come. Is this scandal still enough to bring down the Prime Minister or have the party and the public moved on? Isabel Hardman talks with James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Can the UK become energy independent?
March 28, 2022 13:15 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBDuring the tail end of his Europe trip, President Biden stated of Vladimir Putin 'for God's sake, this man cannot remain in power.' This was quickly walked back by his staff saying that the US had no plans for regime change in Russia. But with the potential of the Russia Ukraine situation turning into long-term conflict, the UK needs to adjust its priorities, particularly when it comes to energy. Whether that future is in wind, nuclear, or fracking. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy ...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 27/03/22
March 27, 2022 19:12 - 10 minutes - 9.55 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up the best bits from Sunday's politics shows, with today's guests Nadhim Zahawi, Jonathan Ashworth, Mariia Mezentseva and Frances Haughen.
Are Rishi's No. 10 dreams dashed?
March 26, 2022 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBFor the last two years, Rishi Sunak has appeared the frontrunner in any future Tory leadership election. But has his spring statement and damaged his standing within his party and among the public? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth about Rishi Sunak's future and Britain's economic forecast.
Is Nato still unified?
March 25, 2022 13:01 - 10 minutes - 9.9 MBThe Prime Minister has just returned from a Nato meeting in Brussels. So far, the alliance's members have been unified in their response to Russia, but with President Zelensky now asking for Nato to send tanks to Ukraine, are we going to see cracks emerge? Katy Balls talks with James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman.
Did the spring statement go far enough?
March 24, 2022 18:32 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBWell the papers haven't been too kind about Rishi Sunak's spring statement. To unpack if it truly deserves this level of vitriol Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth about the UK's economic future as well as Nato's more unified front.
Is there a stealth tax hidden in the spring statement?
March 23, 2022 17:26 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBWhile on the surface there might seem like a lot to like in Rishi Sunak's spring statement. Yes, the NI tax increase is still there, but the tax threshold to pay it is being raised. And there is even a promise of an income tax cut coming in 2024. But does the spectre of inflation mean that many of these supposed benefits won't be felt tangibly for the average taxpayer and may even see the amount they give to the government go up? Katy Balls is joined by James Forsyth, Kate Andrews and Frase...