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.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 06/02/22
February 06, 2022 16:53 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBIsabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Featured today are Kwasi Kwarteng, Iain Duncan Smith, David Lammy, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, and Gavin Barwell.
What happens in a vote of no confidence?
February 05, 2022 10:00 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBKaty Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about what happens if and when Graham Brady receives 54 letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson's leadership.
Who will fill the vacuum in No. 10?
February 04, 2022 13:31 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBFive members of Boris Johnson's team have now resigned from No. 10. This led Downing Street to bring forward changes to Johnson's top team – announcing the resignations of chief of staff Dan Rosenfield, director of communications Jack Doyle and Martin Reynolds, his principal private secretary (who sent the now notorious BYOB email). How will the PM fill the vacuum they leave in No. 10? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
What does the latest No. 10 resignation mean?
February 03, 2022 17:20 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBMunira Mirza, Downing Street's head of policy, has resigned over Boris Johnson’s Jimmy Savile attack on Keir Starmer. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about how the defection of one of Johnson's oldest allies will affect an already turbulent No. 10. 'This does look terminal.' – Fraser Nelson
Was the levelling up white paper worth the wait?
February 02, 2022 17:45 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBWhile Westminster politicians and journalists alike continue to predict exactly how many letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson have been officially filed. Michael Gove's levelling up white paper has finally arrived. A bizarre document that references many ancient cites and how they 'levelled up', but does it propose any tangible solutions on how to achieve its goal in present-day Britain? Isabel Hardman is joined by James Forsyth and Katy Balls to dissect the document.
What's the mood like with Tory MPs?
February 01, 2022 13:54 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBWhilst Boris Johnson's performance in the Common's yesterday was seen broadly as tone deaf, he was given a second change to redeem himself to his party in the afternoon. He managed to stabilise things slightly and took further questions from Tory MPs. 'One of my favourite questions was when one 2019 MP asked if they could reschedule the Parliamentary away day. This received a number of groans from politicians.' - Katy Balls. Boris Johnson has now left all this behind him as be embarks on ...
Have Tory MPs forgiven Boris?
February 01, 2022 13:54 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBWhile Boris Johnson's performance in the Common's yesterday was seen broadly as tone deaf – thanks to comments about Jimmy Savile and drug-taking on the Labour front bench – he was given a chance to redeem himself at a private meeting with his party yesterday evening. 'One of my favourite questions was when one 2019 MP asked if they could reschedule the Parliamentary away day. This received a number of groans from politicians.' – Katy Balls. Today, the Prime Minister leaves the Westminst...
What does the Gray report mean for Boris?
January 31, 2022 18:23 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBThe long anticipated Sue Gray report was finally published today albeit lacking significant chucks of details. Following the report Boris Johnson made a statement in the Commons addressing Partygate. Though he apologised at the beginning, his tone did not seem particularly apologetic which clearly riled a number of MPs across party lines. 'The discomfort among the Tory benches today was striking'- James Forsyth But what will be the aftermath of the debate? And can Boris Johnson still co...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 30/01/22
January 30, 2022 17:34 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBIsabel Hardman showcases the best bits from Sunday's interview shows. In the spotlight today are Liz Truss, Lisa Nandy and Sir Ed Davey.
How will Boris try and dig himself out of trouble?
January 29, 2022 10:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBBoris Johnson has come out fighting, but that doesn't mean he's in the clear. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the Prime Minister's efforts to keep himself inside No. 10.
Can Boris save his premiership?
January 29, 2022 10:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBBoris Johnson has come out fighting, but that doesn't mean he's in the clear. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the Prime Minister's efforts to keep himself inside No. 10.
Will Sue Gray's report be a whitewash?
January 28, 2022 11:08 - 9 minutes - 8.84 MBToday the Met Police requested that Sue Gray's report makes 'minimal reference' to the events in her inquiry, whilst there is an ongoing police investigation. 'I think it puts the government in a difficult position. If you publish the report with minimal reference to the alleged parties being investigated by the police you’ll be accused of a whitewash report' - Katy Balls. As a consequence of the police investigation, there are also rumours that others in Whitehall might be fined over par...
Who authorised Pen Farthing's animal rescue operation?
January 27, 2022 18:03 - 16 minutes - 15 MBWhilst everyone waits for the Sue Gray report, all eyes turn to the next scandal: Pen Farthing's animal rescue operation out of Afghanistan. It has been revealed that Boris Johnson's parliamentary private secretary, Trudy Harrison contacted a jet hire company in an attempt to secure a plane to evacuate the pets. The PM has responded to these allegations saying they are 'total rhubarb' - but what does that mean? 'You don’t seem to get the impression that Downing Street feels as if they are u...
How much longer to wait for Gray?
January 26, 2022 15:26 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBThe view on the Tory benches at the moment seems to be consistently ‘wait for Gray’ before they decide whether or not they will send a letter of no confidence. The 54 letters required is now more likely since the announcement of the police probe into Downing Street parties, but it is still by no means a certainty. Boris Johnson gathered a surprising amount of support at PMQs today. Helped in part. by opposition MPs calling on him to resign: 'Richard Burgon, a former member of Jeremy Corbyn...
How much longer to 'wait for Gray'?
January 26, 2022 15:26 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBThe view on the Tory benches at the moment seems to be consistently ‘wait for Gray’ before they decide whether or not they will send a letter of no confidence. The 54 letters required is now more likely since the announcement of the police probe into Downing Street parties, but it is still by no means a certainty. Boris Johnson gathered a surprising amount of support at PMQs today. Helped in part. by opposition MPs calling on him to resign: 'Richard Burgon, a former member of Jeremy Corbyn...
What does the police probe mean for Boris?
January 25, 2022 13:50 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBThe latest in the scandal of Downing Street parties points to the Prime Minister’s own birthday, where a gathering took place in the Cabinet Office. Whilst this has been played off by a Downing Street spokesperson as being on ‘the edges of a work event’. Cressida Dick announced this morning that events at No.10 during lockdown have now been deemed serious enough to deserve a police investigation. How long does this now go on for? It could make the May election results terrible for the Tor...
How damaging are Nusrat Ghani's claims?
January 24, 2022 11:25 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBOver the weekend the MP Nusrat Ghani accused the government of sacking her because allegedly her Muslim faith was an issue, and they thought she didn't defend the Conservative party's charges of Islamophobia more. In the week of the release of the infamous Sue Gray report into Partygate how are the Tories dealing with these two scandals? 'The whip's office is caught between Sandhurst and a HR department.' - James Forsyth Cindy Yu is joined by James Forsyth and Katy Balls to unpack the wee...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 23/01/22
January 23, 2022 17:14 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Dominic Raab, Emily Thornberry, Nicola Sturgeon and Vadym Prystaiko.
What is Vladimir Putin up to?
January 22, 2022 10:00 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBCindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and the Spectator's Russia correspondent Owen Matthews about the buildup of forces on the border with Ukraine.
Did Boris's whips go too far?
January 21, 2022 17:45 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBAfter Christian Wakeford's defection to Labour, Boris Johnson looks to be in the clear – for now. The Prime Minister's backbenchers, though, are still frustrated by the aggressive tactics used by his whips to ensure their support. Is blackmail normal in the Commons, and are their complaints a result of Parliament's generational divide? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth. 'If you had turned up in Westminster in the 1970s, you would find whips pushing people up against the wall. I don't think t...
Did Tory whips blackmail Red Wall MPs?
January 20, 2022 17:16 - 9 minutes - 8.51 MBAs the Prime Minister has a stay of execution after the pork pie plot came to nothing, today allegations are flying that Tory whips have been using unsavoury methods to threaten wavering MPs into line. Christian Wakeford, the newly defected Labour MP to Bury South, says that whips threatened to withdraw funding from a local school; while William Wragg claims that MPs have been blackmailed with information about their private lives. But how much of this is true, and how much, as some in SW1 a...
Is Boris safe for now?
January 19, 2022 17:32 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBLast night rumours were flying around Westminster that letters of no confidence from Tory MPs were pouring in and Boris might be leaving sooner rather than later. But with the surprising crossing of the aisle by MP for Bury South, Christian Wakeford, it appears that old party tribalism may have stayed some hands. 'While a coup against a leader is one thing defecting is quite another.' - James Forsyth Katy Balls talks with James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman about all of today's political dra...
Will Red Wall MPs turn on Boris?
January 18, 2022 19:00 - 10 minutes - 9.74 MBTo keep Partygate alive, Dominic Cummings has released fresh accusations on his blog about Boris Johnson, who he claims knew about the parties taking place. The former chief advisor to the Prime Minister is prepared to swear under oath on this. As divisions in the Tory party are starting to show, a no confidence motion could be expected in days. 'There is a cat and mouse game where those loyal to the leader are trying smoke out potential rebels' - James Forsyth All eyes are on Keir Starm...
Will Operation Red Meat work?
January 17, 2022 11:19 - 9 minutes - 9.03 MBTory MPs have just returned from their constituencies after a weekend of persuading voters to support their party in the May local elections. It’s not just the public that is angry, the local associations are equally outraged at the scandals that have marred the first month of 2022. Those around Boris Johnson are planning 'Operation Red Meat' which is a policy tactic to save the Prime Minister's premiership. Nadine Dorries has announced her plans to cut the budget of the BBC. It has also b...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 16/01/22
January 16, 2022 17:01 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBIsabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with interviewees Sir Keir Starmer, Oliver Dowden, and Iain Duncan Smith and Kurt Volker.
After Boris, who?
January 15, 2022 10:00 - 19 minutes - 18.5 MBKaty Balls, James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson discuss what happens if Boris Johnson's premiership is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of Downing Street parties he may or may not have attended. "I will eat this microphone if Steve Baker or Kemi Badenoch stand." – Fraser Nelson
Is Boris to blame for No. 10’s party culture?
January 14, 2022 17:34 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBIt's been revealed that two more parties took place in No. 10 during the pandemic. This time, on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral. While the Prime Minister was not at this event, is No. 10's party culture coming straight from the top? Max Jeffery is joined by Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Is Boris to blame for No.10’s party culture?
January 14, 2022 17:34 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBIt's been revealed that two more parties door place at No.10 during the pandemic. This time, a lockdown party took place on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral. Whilst the Prime Minister was not at this particular party, is this No.10 'party culture' coming straight from the top? 'YouGov polls show that Boris Johnson is now more unpopular than Theresa May as PM and is closing in of Corbyn’s lowest points' - Katy Balls. As Tory associations are beginning their campaigns for May's local elect...
Is the cabinet really behind Boris?
January 13, 2022 12:18 - 10 minutes - 9.35 MBAfter a hard PMQs for Boris Johnson which included multiple MPs calling for his resignation, the cabinet took to the media to show support for their embattled leader... though some took a bit longer than others. 'Notably, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss took quite some time. I think they both got round to it by the early evening.' - Katy Balls Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about how deep the senior Tories' loyalties lie.
Have Tory MPs finally had enough?
January 12, 2022 16:42 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBBoris Johnson has finally commented on the accusations of a Downing Street garden party held in the first lockdown. Yet his defence – 'I believed implicitly that this was a work event' – has satisfied nobody. On the episode, James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman give their verdict. 'When I started my career I spent a lot of time in magistrates courts and I have to say, I've heard better ones from people who were drunk who were defending themselves in Portsmouth Magistrates Court', Isabel says. A...
Can Boris survive another Partygate scandal?
January 11, 2022 11:46 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBAnother day, another party scandal at No.10. ‘Bring your own booze’ said Martin Reynolds, the Prime Minster's private secretary in a leaked email to 100 staff in May 2020 inviting them to a picnic at 10 Downing Street. At the same time, the rest of the country was limited to socialising within household bubbles or one other person. 'This is the most serious party allegation yet when it comes to Boris Johnson specifically' - Katy Balls No.10 have refused to respond to the leaked email whils...
How soon will Plan B restrictions lift?
January 10, 2022 13:45 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBWith some early signs that the Omicron threat is waning, talk has begun around Westminster as to when we can get rid of the remaining Covid restrictions. To help Katy Balls, James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman make sense of the latest figures, they are joined by Editor, Fraser Nelson with an update from The Spectator's data hub. 'When you look at the number of admissions to hospitals, that actually hit a peak of 2,370 on December the 29th. It hasn't been back at that.' - Fraser Nelson Katy, ...
How fast will Plan B restrictions lift?
January 10, 2022 13:45 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBWith some early signs that the Omicron threat is waning, talk has begun around Westminster as to when we can get rid of the remaining Covid restrictions. To help Katy Balls, James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman make sense of the latest figures, they are joined by Editor, Fraser Nelson with an update from The Spectator's data hub. 'When you look at the number of admissions to hospitals, that actually hit a peak of 2,370 on December the 29th. It hasn't been back at that.' - Fraser Nelson Katy, ...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 09/01/22
January 09, 2022 17:53 - 10 minutes - 10 MBIsabel Hardman presents the first Sunday interviews roundup of the year. Highlights from today feature Nadhim Zahawi, Rachel Reeves and Dr Clive Kay.
Could the Cabinet save Boris's premiership?
January 08, 2022 10:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBDespite a torrid time for the Prime Minister's popularity over the last few months, there may be a political revival on the horizon. His decision not to lockdown over the Omicron variant seems to have paid off and won back some of the support from his party. But will the Johnson project end up a failure? A lot of the Prime Minister’s future rests on the people who work closest him. On the podcast, Fraser Nelson points to the high turnover of staff at No.10 that has been destabilising, espec...
Have Boris's 'lost' texts fuelled the sleaze scandal?
January 07, 2022 13:52 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBThe ‘lost’ texts sent by Boris Johnson to Lord Brownlow over his Downing Street flat refurbishment continues to dominate the headlines today. As the story unravels, it's a sign that the Tory sleaze issues hitting Boris at the end of 2021 will continue way into the new year. 'It’s not going to go down well when people are seriously thinking about the cost of their energy bills over the next few months: how much it costs to buy food, what supplies are in shortage, to be reminded that the Prim...
Have Boris' 'lost' texts fuelled the sleaze scandal?
January 07, 2022 13:52 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBThe ‘lost’ texts sent by Boris Johnson to Lord Brownlow over his Downing Street flat refurbishment continues to dominate the headlines today. As the story unravels, it's a sign that the Tory sleaze issues hitting Boris at the end of 2021 will continue way into the new year. 'It’s not going to go down well when people are seriously thinking about the cost of their energy bills over the next few months: how much it costs to buy food, what supplies are in shortage, to be reminded that the Prim...
Who let the Mogg out?
January 06, 2022 15:34 - 10 minutes - 9.23 MBIn yesterday's Cabinet debate, Jacob Rees-Mogg called on Boris Johnson to abandon the planned hike in national insurance, amid warnings of a looming cost of living crisis. This is not the first time the leader of the Commons has criticised the government following his opposition to tougher Covid restrictions. Might this be a sign that Rees-Mogg is going to jump before he is pushed? ‘After the Patterson affair, there is now a clear distance between No.10 and the whips office. As we both know...
Did Rayner get the better of Boris?
January 05, 2022 18:08 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBThe first PMQs of 2022 was a little different. It was Angela Rayner’s turn to step up to the dispatch box whilst Keir Starmer is isolating having tested positive for Covid. Rayner went after Boris Johnson on inflation and the cost of living crisis looming in Britain, criticising the government for refusing to cut VAT on energy bills. Another topic that came up was the pressure on the NHS as a result of the pandemic. NHS Trusts are declaring critical incidents saying they’re not going to be...
New year new Keir?
January 04, 2022 13:09 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBKeir Starmer arrived in Birmingham today to deliver his agenda-setting speech, outlining Labour's vision for the future. The opposition leader had to tread the delicate path between offering a substantial, policy-based agenda whilst holding his cards close to his chest. 'One of the challenges of opposition in the midterm is, they come up with new policy and then the government pinches it' - James Forsyth. Also on the podcast, James and Isabel discuss the reaction to the news that Tony Blai...
Has England dodged lockdown?
January 03, 2022 15:10 - 15 minutes - 14 MBThe government has delayed making any announcements about further Covid restrictions in the face of Omicron for weeks. But with more data coming in every day about this new variant, seemingly showing it leads to a lot less hospitalisations than previous waves, will there even be any new measures at all? 'The science and the vaccines have created the situation where Britain doesn't have to lockdown.' - Fraser Nelson Cindy Yu talks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth about the UK's response ...
Are restrictions inbound?
January 03, 2022 15:10 - 15 minutes - 14 MBThe government has delayed making any announcements about further Covid restrictions in the face of Omicron for weeks. But with more data coming in every day about this new variant, seemingly showing it leads to a lot less hospitalisations than previous waves, will there even be any new measures at all? 'The science and the vaccines have created the situation where Britain doesn't have to lockdown.' - Fraser Nelson Cindy Yu talks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth about the UK's response ...
What happened at Boris's Covid Cabinet meeting?
December 21, 2021 14:16 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBBoris Johnson chaired a Cabinet meeting yesterday to discuss the imposition of new Covid restrictions over Christmas. After three hours, the Prime Minister emerged to announce that no new restrictions had been decided on. These meetings are usually called for the Cabinet to rubber-stamp a decision made by Boris and his advisers, so what's changed? Reports today suggest that the Prime Minister was actively encouraging opposing voices, and that a majority of the Cabinet was against bringin...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 19/12/21
December 19, 2021 15:34 - 10 minutes - 9.66 MBIsabel Hardman presents the highlights from the final Sunday interview shows of the year. Today's podcast features Sajid Javid, Andrew Bridgen, Wes Streeting, Sir Ed Davey and Andrew Marr.
Why David Frost resigned
December 19, 2021 11:38 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBBoris Johnson once boasted that you couldn't hold a cigarette paper between him and David Frost, the man he brought on to take Brexit over the line. Yet this key ally has resigned when the Prime Minister is at his most vulnerable. In his resignation letter, Lord Frost cites his concerns on whether the country is making the most of Brexit to cut taxes and red tape, and the direction of travel when it comes to dealing with the pandemic. On the podcast, Katy Balls talks to Fraser Nelson and Jam...
Can Boris make it to the next election?
December 18, 2021 10:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBKaty Balls talks to James Forsyth and James Johnson, the co-founder of the J. L. Partners polling company, about what the Conservative defeat in North Shropshire means for the Prime Minister's future.
How did the Tories lose North Shropshire?
December 17, 2021 09:26 - 10 minutes - 9.85 MBThe Conservative majority of 23,000 was wiped out overnight in North Shropshire, with Liberal Democrat Helen Morgan winning the by-election by nearly 6,000 votes. Tory MPs are already making their frustrations known, with Roger Gale saying Boris Johnson has 'one more strike and he's out', and John Redwood saying it's 'Time to listen to Conservatives.' Is Boris Johnson's leadership in danger? Isabel Hardman speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls. On the podcast, Isabel asks: 'You can change ...
Is this lockdown by stealth?
December 16, 2021 18:11 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBToday saw record numbers of Covid cases with infections higher than the January 2021 lockdown. In reaction to soaring cases, Boris Johnson held a press conference yesterday. Although nothing new was announced, he pushed further on the booster program and encouraged the public to rethink their socialising ahead of Christmas. Many people believe the PM is encouraging a lockdown by stealth, with hospitality venues struggling to cope under staff shortages coupled with vast cancellations. But sh...
Can Boris take back control?
December 15, 2021 12:30 - 21 minutes - 20.2 MBLast night Boris Johnson suffered the biggest rebellion of his Tory premiership. But, unlike his predecessor, he still managed to get his vote through with Labour's support. Nearly 100 Conservative MPs voted against the government's plans for vaccine passports. Their reasons for rebelling varied. For some, they want to send a message to the PM that he cannot take his majority for granted. For others, it is about the principle of vaccine passports. 'Boris Johnson is proving to be a deeply ...
What does a large rebellion mean for Boris?
December 14, 2021 14:04 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBChristopher Whitty has told the public he expects a 'significant increase' in Omicron hospitalisations over the next few weeks. The chief medical officer is concerned about the pressures this new variant will put on the NHS. Could he be overreacting? In contrast, there are encouraging signs coming from South Africa that continue to show that Omicron is less severe than Delta. The Commons vote on vaccine passports is looming where Boris Johnson could face a rebellion larger than his majorit...