Coffee House Shots
2,109 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 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
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 28/02/21
February 28, 2021 18:13 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up the best bits from Sunday's interviews shows, with highlights coming from Rishi Sunak, Anneliese Dodds and Anas Sarwar.
What did we learn from Alex Salmond's evidence?
February 27, 2021 10:00 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBKaty Balls, James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson discuss Alex Salmond's appearance before the Holyrood inquiry into how the Scottish government handled complaints of sexual misconduct made against him.
Tory nerves grow over Sunak's budget
February 26, 2021 11:19 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBThe Chancellor is expected to announce tax hikes in next week's budget as he looks to bolster the public purse and reassure markets. With capital gains and cooperation tax in his sights, how will the decision go down with Tory MPs? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Kate Andrews.
Will teacher assessed grades work?
February 25, 2021 19:12 - 17 minutes - 16 MBTeachers will assess pupil's grades next year, the Education Secretary said today. Has the decision come too late, and will it disadvantage students? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Will Gove greenlight immunity passports?
February 24, 2021 17:55 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MBMichael Gove will lead a government review into immunity passports. Does his appointment make IDs a foregone conclusion, what will they look like, and when can we expect to see their domestic rollout? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Sturgeon verus Salmond
February 23, 2021 21:24 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBAlex Salmond has pulled out from his appearance in front of the harassment complaints committee, where he was expected to give evidence about an alleged breach of the ministerial code by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Fraser Nelson speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the SNP implosion.
Sturgeon versus Salmond
February 23, 2021 21:24 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBAlex Salmond has pulled out from his appearance in front of the harassment complaints committee, where he was expected to give evidence about an alleged breach of the ministerial code by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Fraser Nelson speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the SNP implosion.
The lockdown roadmap explained
February 22, 2021 19:37 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBBoris Johnson has finally set out his roadmap for easing lockdown. On the episode, Katy Balls talks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth about what to expect over the next few months.
Has Carrie divided No. 10?
February 22, 2021 13:50 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBYet more personnel changes have happened in Downing Street, with Oliver Lewis the latest to depart. The weekend papers were full of briefings that Carrie Symonds is the reason for the latest strife. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about how much truth there is in that.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 21/02/21
February 21, 2021 16:21 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's interview shows. Featured today are Matt Hancock, Sir Keir Starmer, John McDonnell, The Most Reverend Justin Welby and Jo Whiley.
Boris's climate conundrum
February 20, 2021 10:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBWhile coronavirus has dominated the last year in politics, domestic issues are creeping back onto the agenda. Near the top of the list is reaching Net Zero by 2050 - not least because climate-conscious Joe Biden is now in the White House. Can Britain hit its target? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Sam Lowe, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform.
Can Boris find a G7 vaccine consensus?
February 19, 2021 13:38 - 9 minutes - 9.18 MBFrench president Emmanuel Macron has said wealthy nations should begin donating up to five per cent of their vaccines to Africa. It comes as Boris Johnson hosts a virtual G7 today - Joe Biden's first multilateral meeting. Can the PM find consensus? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Has Macron stolen Boris's G7 thunder?
February 19, 2021 13:38 - 9 minutes - 9.18 MBEmmanuel Macron has said wealthy nations should begin donating up to five per cent of their vaccines to Africa. It comes as Boris Johnson hosts a virtual G7 today - Joe Biden's first multilateral meeting. Has the French president stolen Boris's thunder? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Why Starmer is no modern day Beveridge
February 18, 2021 18:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBToday's speech from the Labour leader was billed to be 'Beveridge-style'. On the podcast, Kate Andrews tells Katy Balls and James Forsyth why it was nothing of the sort, and they strategise what Starmer should have said.
Why is the government banking on lateral flow tests?
February 17, 2021 18:00 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MBIt's not the Forsyth Spit Bucket, but it may help us ease lockdown. Cindy Yu talks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls about why the government is banking so much on rapid tests, given that vaccination was meant to be the route out.
Will rapid testing bring back nightclubs?
February 16, 2021 13:21 - 9 minutes - 8.47 MBNadhim Zahawi this morning said that scientists are working on rapid Covid tests to reopen large events. The vaccine deployment minister said that 'new technologies' are being trialled at the Porton Down laboratories, and ruled out the government introducing vaccine passports. Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
What does Boris’s ‘cautious’ approach mean for lockdown easing?
February 15, 2021 14:13 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBDespite the UK hitting its target of giving 15 million people their first vaccine dose by 15 February, Boris Johnson said the path to reopening will be 'cautious but irreversible'. What does this approach mean for the return to normal life? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 14/02/21
February 14, 2021 18:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBIsabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political programmes. Today's interviews featured Dominic Raab, Professor John Watson, Mark Drakeford, Bridget Phillipson and Professor Tim Spector.
Is the government doing enough to fix the cladding crisis?
February 13, 2021 10:00 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBWith the government facing a backbench revolt over how to fix the pressing issue of unsafe cladding on high rise buildings, Katy Balls asks Conservative MP Bob Blackman and the Spectator's assistant editor Emma Byrne about the government's response so far.
Will the economy bounce back after lockdown?
February 12, 2021 14:48 - 18 minutes - 17 MBDespite the GDP figures from the ONS today, the Bank of England's chief economist Andy Haldane has written an optimistic commentary today, arguing why he thinks the British economy will bounce back after Covid restrictions end. Katy Balls talks to Kate Andrews, the Spectator's Economics Correspondent, and James Forsyth about that possibility.
Are Tory lockdown-sceptics returning in force?
February 11, 2021 18:49 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBAfter a brief winter hibernation, it seems that the lockdown-sceptic wing of the Conservative party is returning in force. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about the increasing clamour to reopen society and whether the government really has shifted the goalposts for easing lockdown.
Boris Johnson sets out the new normal on vaccines
February 10, 2021 14:50 - 10 minutes - 9.25 MBAt PMQs today, Boris Johnson said the public would need to 'get used to the idea of vaccinating and then revaccinating in the autumn, as we come to face these new variants.' The government's contract with the Wrexham factory that helps make the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has been extended to August 2022 at the earliest, so will repeat inoculations be the way forward? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth.
China hawks suffer a setback
February 09, 2021 17:21 - 15 minutes - 14 MBThe government has managed to delay a backbench rebellion on the so-called 'genocide amendment' today, using what Iain Duncan Smith called 'arcane procedural games'. The Trade Bill amendment, which would have seen courts given the power to designate abuses as a genocide, was expected to have a significant number of Tory backers. Katy Balls discusses with James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman.
Should the government be more concerned about the South African variant?
February 08, 2021 13:50 - 13 minutes - 12 MBLatest research from the University of Oxford shows that their vaccine has 'minimal protection' against the South African variant of the coronavirus. Should the government be doing more to protect UK borders? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 07/02/21
February 07, 2021 16:41 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political programmes. Today's contributions come from Nadhim Zadhawi, Ed Miliband, Andy Burnham and Professor Sarah Gilbert.
Will Boris Johnson's Northern Ireland gamble pay off?
February 06, 2021 09:30 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBSensing an opportunity after the EU triggered Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the British government is in talks with the EU over compromises to the agreement. Will this gamble pay off, or could it backfire to stoke tensions on the island of Ireland? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Denis Staunton, London Editor of the Irish Times.
Should schools return in February?
February 05, 2021 12:50 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBSome Sage scientists have broken rank to suggest that the falling infection rates mean that schools in England should go back at the end of this month, like in Scotland. Will the government cave from their March 8th promise? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
What's the hold up in bringing in a quarantine system?
February 04, 2021 18:01 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBIt's been weeks since the idea of a quarantine system was floated, yet nothing has been forthcoming on that front. Isabel Hardman asks James Forsyth and Katy Balls - what's the hold up in government?
Boris's easy ride at PMQs
February 03, 2021 18:29 - 13 minutes - 12 MBAt PMQs today, Keir Starmer denied Boris Johnson's claims that he wanted the UK to remain in the EU's vaccine procurement scheme. Could a successful domestic rollout, away from the bloc's programme, be seen by the public as an upside of Brexit and cause the opposition problems? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth.
Will vaccine success undermine Starmer's opposition?
February 03, 2021 18:29 - 13 minutes - 12 MBAt PMQs today, Keir Starmer denied Boris Johnson's claims that he wanted the UK to remain in the EU's vaccine procurement scheme. Could a successful domestic rollout, away from the bloc's programme, be seen by the public as an upside of Brexit and cause the opposition problems? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth.
How the EU's vaccine rhetoric could backfire
February 02, 2021 18:33 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBAnother day, another dig from across the channel on the UK's vaccine reliability. Isabel Hardman talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about how this rhetoric could backfire.
Will Joanna Cherry's sacking strengthen Sturgeon?
February 01, 2021 19:29 - 13 minutes - 12 MBJoanna Cherry was sacked from the SNP's Westminster frontbench today. The former justice spokesperson, who is an ally of Alex Salmond, was dropped as the party continues to row over transgender rights. Has the move strengthened leader Nicola Sturgeon's position? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Stephen Daisley.
Has the EU backed down from the AstraZeneca row?
February 01, 2021 13:31 - 10 minutes - 9.38 MBThe EU reversed plans to invoke article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol on Friday after a furious reaction from British officials and the bloc's own member states. The move, which could have seen vaccines from the continent blocked from entering Northern Ireland, came after the EU Commission rowed pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca over its delivery shortfall. What happened, and has the EU backed down? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Where the vaccine debate goes next
February 01, 2021 13:31 - 10 minutes - 9.38 MBThe EU's row with AstraZeneca came to a head on Friday, with the bloc publishing its contract with the pharmaceutical giant and introducing vaccine export controls. With the UK's rollout continuing at pace, where will the vaccine debate go next? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 31/01/21
January 31, 2021 16:20 - 10 minutes - 9.8 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up the best of Sunday's political shows, with today's podcast featuring and Liz Truss, Micheál Martin, Rachel Reeves and Tony Blair.
How well is Keir Starmer doing?
January 30, 2021 10:00 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MBKaty Balls and the New Statesman's Stephen Bush discuss how much of a splash Keir Starmer has made over the past 9 months. Hosted by Cindy Yu.
Should Britain give away its vaccines?
January 29, 2021 13:14 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBNovavax's vaccine has shown 89 per cent efficacy in UK trials. The government has bought 60 million doses of the jab, and it's expected that production will begin in Teesside later this year. But, as the EU's rollout languishes and their row with AstraZeneca escalates, should Britain consider giving away its vaccines? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson.
Why shouldn't the Prime Minister visit Scotland?
January 28, 2021 17:55 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBBoris Johnson visits Scotland today. To nobody's surprise, Nicola Sturgeon has criticised the visit coming at this moment in the pandemic; while Keir Starmer has defended the PM's right to do so as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about the visit and whether or not it will backfire.
Will Tory MPs accept a March return of schools?
January 27, 2021 15:36 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBIn his statement to the Commons today, Boris Johnson suggested March 8 as a date for schools to return. This is earlier than some predictions but certainly later than many were expecting when schools were shut earlier this month. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman about what this tells us about when a more general lockdown easing may happen.
Could the EU's vaccines spat impact the UK's supply?
January 26, 2021 13:13 - 10 minutes - 9.41 MBIn the last 24 hours, the EU has threatened to place export controls on vaccines manufactured in the EU; while a German paper has been corrected by Berlin for misreporting that the German government thought the Oxford-Astrazeneca jab was only eight per cent effective in over-65s. Isabel Hardman talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about what's going on and whether it could impact Britain's supply.
Why are ministers worried about borders now?
January 25, 2021 13:02 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBThe government's Covid-O group will be making a decision on the UK's border restrictions imminently. On the podcast, Isabel Hardman talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about what is being considered and why now.
Cindy Yu's Sunday Roundup
January 24, 2021 18:28 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBCindy Yu presents the highlights from Sunday's interview shows. With clips from Nicola Sturgeon, Matt Hancock, Nick Thomas-Symonds and Arlene Foster.
How will history remember Brexit?
January 23, 2021 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MBIn his upcoming book, the historian Robert Tombs writes that Brexit may not be the historically significant event we think it is. On the podcast, Katy Balls speaks to him and James Forsyth about just how history will remember Brexit, and what are the future events that can still change our memory of it.
Is the Cabinet divide on Covid back?
January 22, 2021 14:24 - 10 minutes - 9.7 MBThe Guardian reported today that the Department of Health is considering offering a £500 isolation fee to encourage more people with symptoms to get tested. But the Treasury hit back fast saying that they had not seen these proposals and that the idea was 'bonkers'. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about what the row says about the conversations behind the scenes.
Will the English lockdown last past Easter?
January 21, 2021 18:39 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBNo 10 refused to rule out the possibility today, and the Health Secretary has also refused to be drawn on whether or not the vaccinating the most vulnerable would provide the roadmap out of lockdown. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the possibility that England's lockdown will last past Easter.
Will Theresa May's intervention be the first of many?
January 20, 2021 16:56 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBTimed with the inauguration of Joe Biden, Theresa May has written an op-ed in the Daily Mail criticising her successor for his 'abandon of our global moral leadership'. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about what this former prime minister will do from the backbenches.
Are Tory sinosceptics the real opposition?
January 19, 2021 13:27 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBToday the Commons debates the 'genocide amendment' to the Trade Bill, which would allow judges to restrict the government's ability to sign trade deals with countries deemed guilty of genocide. It's a clear swipe at China and its treatment of the Uyghur minority, and on the podcast, Katy Balls discusses with James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman what this means for the Conservative party's new stance on China.
Why are the Tories split on universal credit?
January 18, 2021 13:05 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBThe Commons will today see a debate over extending the universal credit uplift. While Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, wants the weekly increase to remain, Rishi Sunak wants to replace it with a one-off £500 payment. Isabel Hardman talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the Tory split.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 17/01/21
January 17, 2021 18:18 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBIsabel Hardman presents the highlights from the Sunday interview shows. Today's podcast features Dominic Raab, Sir Simon Stevens, James Comey, Jonathan Reynolds and Sir Ed Davey.
Has the government reached a truce with the BBC?
January 16, 2021 10:00 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBThe new chairman of the BBC has been announced. It's not Charles Moore, or Paul Dacre, but a low-profile former banker called Richard Sharp. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about what Sharp's appointment reflects about the government's war on the BBC.