Coffee House Shots
2,109 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 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
Can Rishi Sunak get the G7 on side?
June 04, 2021 11:34 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBWith the G7 looming the range of subjects on the agenda is vast. One of the first items up is the proposal of a global corporate tax rate which President Joe Biden has already endorsed. But how will the first meeting of Boris and Biden go and is possible the G7 could become the G10? Katy Balls and James Forsyth discuss with Cindy Yu their thoughts on what to expect.
Could travel this summer be stricter than last?
June 03, 2021 16:43 - 9 minutes - 9.03 MBIt's been a stressful day for those who've booked foreign holidays, as the government updated the latest countries on its various coloured travel lists. No new countries were added to the green list, but some were moved to amber. On the podcast, Katy Balls and James Forsyth discuss with Cindy Yu how this decision is down to a desire to prioritise domestic reopening to liberalisation of our borders.
Is £1.4 billion enough for schools?
June 02, 2021 17:38 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBThe government's education tsar Kevan Collins resigned this afternoon, saying that the £1.4 billion pledged by the government for schools is only a tenth of what is needed. Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about who will take the flack.
What difference does a wedding make?
June 01, 2021 10:40 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBNow officially in June, the significance of the 21st seems even greater for the country, but with the Indian variant still on the rise how safe is the date? And a glorious weekend of weather for the Prime Minister's secret nuptials, but what does this wedding mean for the warring factions that circle No. 10? And finally Keir Starmer sits down with Piers Morgan tonight, will this interview be the thing to renew the Labour leader's image? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 30/05/21
May 30, 2021 16:10 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBIsabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political interviews. Guests today included Nadhim Zadhawi, Mike Padgham, Edwin Poots, Maroš Šefčovič, Franak Viačorka and Carl Bildt.
Will the DUP lose ground under Edwin Poots?
May 29, 2021 09:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBThis week Edwin Poots was formally endorsed as the DUP's new leader, in a meeting which Arlene Foster, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (Poots's rival in the leadership campaign) and other senior DUP politicians walked out of before Poots gave a speech. What does the future hold for the divided political party that held so much sway in Westminster during the Brexit process? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and the Irish Times's Denis Staunton.
Will Hancock cling on?
May 28, 2021 11:53 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBMatt Hancock defended his position at a Downing Street press conference yesterday. He told journalists that, by his 'recollection of events', he told the Prime Minister that hospital patients would be tested before being sent to care homes 'when we could do it'. Dominic Cummings says the Health Secretary promised all patients would receive a test. As he comes under continued pressure, is Hancock's position in doubt? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman.
Will Hancock hit back?
May 27, 2021 16:54 - 10 minutes - 9.74 MBAfter the hanger full of Dom bombs that were dropped in yesterday's epic seven hour hearing, health secretary Matt Hancock got a sizeable chunk of Cummings wrath. Just how is Hancock going to proceed and how certain is his future in the department? Isabel Hardman talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
What we learnt from the Cummings evidence
May 26, 2021 17:12 - 16 minutes - 15.6 MBFrom accusing Matt Hancock of criminal incompetence, to lifting the lid on the true nature of his relationship with Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings's evidence was nothing short of explosive. Katy Balls talks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth about the highlights and what we learnt.
How damaging is the Tory Islamophobia report?
May 25, 2021 13:51 - 10 minutes - 9.92 MBIslamophobia 'remains a problem' in the Conservative party, a report has found. Professor Swaran Singh, who analysed more than a thousand complaints of misconduct for his investigation, said that some Tories needed a 'completely new mindset'. Boris Johnson himself gave evidence to the inquiry, and when asked about his column saying a group of black people had 'watermelon smiles' said: 'Would I use some of the offending language from my past writings today? Now that I am prime minister, I w...
What will Dominic Cummings say?
May 24, 2021 13:08 - 9 minutes - 8.76 MBWhen Dominic Cummings appears in front of a parliamentary committee on Wednesday, the former aide is expected to attack Whitehall's institutional structure, a lack of government transparency in the pandemic, and the Prime Minister himself. In a still growing Twitter thread, the former aide has laid out his critique of how the government handled Covid-19. He says herd immunity was 'literally the official plan' in March, and that a detailed response was 'bodged amid total & utter chaos.' But...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 23/05/21
May 23, 2021 15:11 - 13 minutes - 12 MBIsabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Featured today are Priti Patel, Nick Thomas-Symonds, Dr Jenny Harries, Andrew Morton and John McDonnell.
What could a reformed BBC look like?
May 22, 2021 09:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBPoliticians have buttressed Prince William and Prince Harry's criticisms of the BBC in the wake of the Dyson report, which detailed Martin Bashir's forgeries to get access to Princess Diana, and the BBC cover up which ensued. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman about the renewed scrutiny on the broadcaster.
Why is Boris optimistic about 21 June?
May 21, 2021 12:27 - 9 minutes - 8.72 MBBoris Johnson is increasingly confident that Britain will drop the majority of Covid restrictions on 21 June. But with the Indian variant forcing case rates in Bolton to more than ten times the national average, and in Blackburn to more than six, why is he optimistic? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Have the Lidl free marketeers won the day?
May 20, 2021 17:31 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBDespite some misgivings in Cabinet, free marketeers seem to have won the argument on the Australia trade deal, one of the first major deals to be struck after Brexit. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman about the latest discussions in government.
What does Sturgeon's new cabinet say about IndyRef2?
May 19, 2021 16:25 - 10 minutes - 9.53 MBNicola Sturgeon unveiled her new Cabinet today, reshuffling familiar faces with a clutch of new ministerial appointments. Will it be a line-up that causes sleepless nights for No 10? Joining Isabel Hardman to assess Team Sturgeon's new look are Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Should Starmer let the cameras in?
May 18, 2021 16:17 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBKeir Starmer is reportedly thinking about giving access to a camera crew in order to create a fly-on-the-wall documentary about his leadership of the Labour party. Is this a good idea? Isabel Hardman talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Could June 21st be delayed?
May 17, 2021 15:27 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBAs England moves into the next phase of its lockdown easing today, the Indian variant threatens to throw the final phase off schedule. Could the government delay June 21st? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
With cases of the Indian variant on the rise what happens on June 21st?
May 17, 2021 15:27 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBTonight, after work, for the first time in months you could have a pint indoors and then go to the cinema. But with spikes in the cases of the reportedly more transmissible Indian variant in many parts of the country, could further lockdown easing be in jeopardy? And also what does the DUP shake up mean for the political future of Northern Ireland. Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls on todays events.
Could June 21 be delayed?
May 17, 2021 15:27 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBAs England moves into the next phase of its lockdown easing today, the Indian variant threatens to throw the final phase off schedule. Could the government delay June 21? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 16/05/21
May 16, 2021 14:51 - 13 minutes - 12 MBIsabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Today's guests include Matt Hancock, Yvette Cooper, Steve Reed and Sir Mark Walport.
Does Boris have a southern problem?
May 15, 2021 09:00 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBWhile the local elections bore fruit for the Tories in the red wall, the party’s rebranding has had some southern shire MPs worried – does the party under Boris Johnson still speak for them and their voters? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about this growing fracture. Further listening: Katy Balls with Natalie Elphicke and other panellists on Britain's housing crisis.
Will the India variant delay the roadmap?
May 14, 2021 12:16 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBCases of the Indian coronavirus variant have more than doubled in the last week, and Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccines minister, this morning said that jabs could be deployed in areas with higher case loads to contain its spread. Will the variant delay the 21 June unlocking? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Further listening: Kate Andrews in conversation with Jeremy Hunt on healthcare in Brexit Britain.
Where should prime ministers go after leaving Downing Street?
May 13, 2021 17:23 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBDavid Cameron is giving evidence to MPs today over his lobbying for Greensill Capital, in the latest round of embarrassment for the former prime minister. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about the graceful way to leave Downing Street.
What could surface from a Covid inquiry?
May 12, 2021 15:36 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBBoris Johnson has announced that an inquiry into the government's Covid response will be launched next year. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about what could surface and whether it will shed any light.
Has Angela Rayner got the upper hand?
May 11, 2021 16:58 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBCarolyn Harris, a key Starmer aide, has resigned her post as his parliamentary private secretary over allegations that she was behind some of the negative briefing against Angela Rayner. On the podcast, Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman about whether Angela Rayner has come out of Labour's scrap, on top.
How Keir Starmer's reshuffle backfired
May 10, 2021 11:54 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBAfter a messy and delayed reshuffle, there is more rancour in the Labour party than there was before the weekend. Has Keir Starmer taken a serious hit to his authority? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the possible future for Labour.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 09/05/21
May 09, 2021 16:44 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBIsabel Hardman takes you through the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with clips from Michael Gove, Nicola Sturgeon, John McDonnell, Ian Murray and Alex Salmond.
No SNP majority, now what?
May 08, 2021 16:53 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBScotland will have a pro-independence majority at Holyrood, but the SNP has fallen short of an overall majority. What does this mean for the party, its leader Nicola Sturgeon, and the campaign for a second independence referendum? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Stephen Daisley.
What the Hartlepool loss means for Starmer
May 07, 2021 10:26 - 14 minutes - 13 MBThe local election results are coming in over the weekend, but the bombshell came early with Hartlepool going to the tories in a massive 16-point swing. Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about how much the red wall has left to give.
What are the Royal Navy doing in Jersey's waters?
May 06, 2021 11:50 - 10 minutes - 9.97 MBOnce again it's all about the fish - following protests from French fisherman over their rights in the waters surrounding Jersey, Boris Johnson has despatched Royal Navy boats to the Channel. Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about why tensions escalated so quickly.
How serious would Labour losing Hartlepool be?
May 05, 2021 16:50 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBA poll last night gave the Tories a 17-point lead in Hartlepool. Tomorrow's by-election in the red wall seat is to be one of the first barometers of Keir Starmer's leadership so far. How serious would a Labour loss be? Isabel Hardman speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Will the G7 summit mark the end of online diplomacy?
May 04, 2021 16:03 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBOne of the key aspects of the imminent G7 summit will be the return of face-to-face meetings between politicians. What will be on the agenda, and can the rest of us hope to follow suit and leave Zoom behind? Fraser Nelson talks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 02/05/21
May 02, 2021 16:54 - 10 minutes - 10 MBIsabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Interviewees today include Douglas Ross, Dominic Raab and Lisa Nandy.
What does the DUP shakeup mean for Northern Ireland?
May 01, 2021 09:00 - 20 minutes - 19 MBArlene Foster's departure has left the DUP in a difficult place. Unionists could become disaffected if another relative moderate takes over, but younger voters might abandon the party if a hardliner becomes leader. What does this mean for Northern Ireland? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Denis Staunton, London editor of the Irish Times.
Why does Boris give out his phone number?
April 30, 2021 12:29 - 12 minutes - 11 MBBoris Johnson's mobile phone number has been available online for 15 years, it emerged last night. Why does the Prime Minister give it out so freely? John Connolly speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Has Starmer misfired on wallpaper-gate?
April 29, 2021 17:50 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBKeir Starmer was pictured shopping for wallpaper in John Lewis today, poking fun at Boris's ongoing No. 10 refurbishment troubles. But is the Labour leader really just playing to the PM's advantages? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth.
How should Starmer play wallpaper-gate?
April 29, 2021 17:50 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBKeir Starmer was pictured shopping for wallpaper in John Lewis today, poking fun at Boris's ongoing No. 10 refurbishment troubles. But is the Labour leader really just playing to the PM's advantages? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth.
What's next for the DUP?
April 28, 2021 17:57 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBArlene Foster has stepped down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. What's next for the party? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Will the Downing Street refurbishment cut through?
April 27, 2021 15:17 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBReports today suggest that the Conservative Party initially covered the costs of the Downing Street refurbishment. Will Conservative members, and the public at large, care? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman.
Does Simon Case have all the answers?
April 26, 2021 17:30 - 10 minutes - 9.95 MBSimon Case dodged questions from MPs about his lockdown leak inquiry at a select committee appearance this afternoon, and refused to go into details about how Boris Johnson paid for the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat, saying the PM would make the 'relevant declarations'. Why did Case stonewall the committee? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman.
Where will the Downing Street psychodrama end?
April 26, 2021 12:21 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBThe Downing Street psychodrama continues today, with the Daily Mail reporting that Boris Johnson said he would rather see the 'bodies pile high in their thousands' than order a third lockdown. Where will the war between the PM and his former adviser Dominic Cummings end? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 25/04/21
April 25, 2021 17:42 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBIsabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Interview clips today came from Liz Truss, Jess Phillips, Nicola Sturgeon, Anas Sarwar and Bill Gates.
What's Putin up to?
April 24, 2021 09:00 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBRussian troops had been building up on the Ukrainian border for weeks now, only for Putin to announce their pullback this week. Moscow claims it was only ever a military exercise, but the troop presence was enough to fuel speculation of further annexation of parts of Ukraine. Fraser Nelson speaks to James Forsyth and Owen Matthews about Putin's geopolitical game.
A new Blitz of Dom-Bombs
April 23, 2021 18:47 - 9 minutes - 8.87 MBAfter damning accusations in the papers that Dominic Cummings leaked a series of the Prime Minister's texts, the former No 10 aide has wasted little time in hitting back. In a blog this afternoon, he attacks the Prime Minister and those closest to him. Gus Carter speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson.
Is Dom out to get Boris?
April 23, 2021 11:51 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBDowning Street insiders have accused Dominic Cummings of being behind a series of lobbying leaks. But why is the Prime Minister's team turning on the former adviser, and will he hit back? Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson.
Can Boris Johnson's green credentials win over Joe Biden?
April 22, 2021 17:18 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBJoe Biden is hosting world leaders for a virtual summit on climate change today. In attendance was Boris Johnson, who was keen to impress the President with his own green credentials. Will he succeed? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
What is Michael Gove up to in Israel?
April 21, 2021 16:51 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBMichael Gove is on a fact-finding mission in Israel this week, studying the country's vaccine passports scheme. But are the plans not already set for the UK to adopt them? Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Can Boris really stop the super league?
April 20, 2021 12:51 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBFans, players, managers and politicians have spoken out against the proposals by 12 of Europe's top football teams to form a breakaway league. Boris Johnson wrote in today's Sun that he would show the plans the red card, but can government really stop them? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
What does Boris's India cancellation mean for vaccines?
April 19, 2021 11:42 - 10 minutes - 9.61 MBBoris Johnson's trip to India was today cancelled as the country battles a new coronavirus variant. The PM was expecting to push Modi to release AstraZeneca vaccines to Britain, but that now looks unlikely. What does this mean for the UK's roadmap? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman.