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
Is the government underpromising on the vaccine rollout?
January 15, 2021 14:45 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBA leaked Scottish government document suggested that all over-50s could be vaccinated by the end of March, and that UK has capacity to deliver 3.8 million jabs next week. Has the government been underselling its efforts? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Is Boris's leadership really under threat?
January 14, 2021 18:13 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBSteve Baker, deputy chairman of the backbench Covid Recovery Group, has warned that Boris Johnson's leadership will be 'on the table' unless he gives a path out of lockdown. But is the PM really under threat? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forysth and Katy Balls.
Is Marcus Rashford a more effective opposition leader than Starmer?
January 13, 2021 14:51 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBGavin Williamson, the education secretary, has said today that a national voucher scheme for free school meals would return on Monday, after pictures of the food packages being given to children were widely circulated online. Footballer Marcus Rashford said the Prime Minister promised 'that he is committed to correcting the issue'. Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman.
Do Covid rules need to be clearer?
January 12, 2021 15:56 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBBoris Johnson has been criticised for taking a bike ride in the Olympic Park, seven miles away from Downing Street. Should the government make the Covid rules clearer? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Has lockdown fatigue set in?
January 11, 2021 14:08 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBChris Whitty said that hospitals will face 'the worst weeks of this pandemic' in a broadcast round this morning, as he implored Brits to keep social contact 'to an absolute minimum'. It comes as the government is considering even stricter restrictions to improve compliance. Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 10/01/21
January 10, 2021 17:04 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up the best of Sunday's interviews with highlights from Sir Keir Starmer, Matt Hancock, Tracy Nicholls and Peter Horby.
Is Nigel Farage's new party about to make waves?
January 09, 2021 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.6 MBBrexit is done, but Nigel Farage may well remain an influential force in British politics. With his rebranding of the Brexit Party to 'Reform UK' approved this week, Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Patrick O'Flynn, former Ukip MEP, about whether or not Sinoscepticism and lockdown-scepticism are enough for Farage to build a new movement.
Could an overwhelmed NHS stall the vaccine rollout?
January 08, 2021 15:18 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBSimon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said yesterday that 800 new patients are admitted to London hospitals with Covid-19 every day. Could pressure on the health service force them to delay the vaccine distribution? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
How should the government handle Trump?
January 07, 2021 16:56 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBLast night's events in Washington DC has sent shockwaves around the world. Trump's obvious disregard for democracy was on show, leading to a normally diplomatic British government to condemn the President in strong language. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about how the government sees its past and future relationship with Trump and Trumpism.
How many vaccinations are needed to end lockdown?
January 06, 2021 17:38 - 11 minutes - 11 MBThe government has announced that 23 per cent of over 80s in England have now received their first dose of the Covid vaccine. With Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock aiming to give 13.5 million people the jab before the middle of February, will that be enough to end lockdown restrictions? Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Why are the UK's borders still open?
January 05, 2021 14:35 - 11 minutes - 10.1 MBFollowing the announcement of a third lockdown, a testing regime for arrivals could be put in place. It comes as Michael Gove said there would be announcements in the coming days about 'how we will make sure that our ports and airports are safe', and Nicola Sturgeon said 'urgent' discussions were underway. Isabel Hardman talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Lockdown returns: what the new rules mean
January 04, 2021 21:37 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBThis evening the Prime Minister announced a return to the lockdown system for England, coming after Nicola Sturgeon announced similar measures earlier in the day. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman about what the measures mean for students, vulnerable groups and more.
How far will Boris tighten Covid restrictions?
January 04, 2021 13:26 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBBoris Johnson today said there was 'no question' that the government would announce tighter coronavirus restrictions, as case numbers continue to surge. It came after health secretary Matt Hancock said this morning that the existing tier system is 'no longer strong enough'. What will further restrictions look like? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
What tighter Covid restrictions should we expect?
January 04, 2021 13:26 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBBoris Johnson today said there was 'no question' that the government would announce tighter coronavirus restrictions, as case numbers continue to surge. It came after health secretary Matt Hancock said this morning that the existing tier system is 'no longer strong enough'. What will further restrictions look like? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 03/01/21
January 03, 2021 18:30 - 13 minutes - 12 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up Sunday's political interview highlights, with clips coming from Boris Johnson, Sir Mark Walport, Arlene Foster, Tony Blair and Liz Truss.
With Brexit done, what are the government's next challenges?
December 30, 2020 18:31 - 18 minutes - 17 MBAfter four and a half years, Brexit has finally happened with a free trade deal passed. But with Scottish independence hotting up and the pandemic not yet finished, the government faces more challenges in the very short term. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about what's coming next.
At last: we have a Brexit deal
December 24, 2020 17:11 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBA Brexit deal has been reached. Negotiations over fisheries continued into the early hours of Christmas Eve, and Boris Johnson finalised the agreement with Ursula von der Leyen at 1:44pm. The PM said the treaty resolves a 'question that has bedevilled politics for decades', while the EU Commission President said it was 'time to leave Brexit behind'. Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth about the details.
Will normality really return by Easter?
December 23, 2020 16:37 - 9 minutes - 8.84 MBAnother day, another press conference. In today's, Matt Hancock announced more regions to enter Tier 4 restrictions come Boxing Day, as well as another new, highly transmissible, strain of the virus. Cindy Yu talks to Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls about the latest updates, as well as signs of potential white smoke on the Brexit negotiations.
Will Boris be blamed for Kent's queues?
December 22, 2020 17:01 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBAt yesterday's press conference, Boris Johnson said there were just 170 lorries queuing in Kent to cross the Channel. Today, there are expected to be around 1,500. The government is continuing discussions with France to get freight moving again, but will Boris be blamed for the hold-up? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Will the Covid variant derail an Easter easing?
December 21, 2020 19:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBSpeaking alongside Patrick Vallance and Grant Shapps, Boris Johnson said we could expect 'a very, very different world for this country from Easter onwards'. But will the new Covid strain derail the easing of restrictions? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 20/12/20
December 20, 2020 17:50 - 10 minutes - 9.64 MBIsabel Hardman hosts the last Sunday Roundup of the year, with highlights coming from Matt Hancock, Sir Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy and Sadiq Khan.
Was the change in Christmas rules inevitable?
December 19, 2020 18:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBChristmas has been cancelled, after all. In London and parts of the South East, new Tier 4 restrictions mean that households will not be able to mix indoors; whereas in the rest of the country families can only get together on Christmas day. Does this government suffer from consistently over-promising? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman.
What does Truss's speech say about the future of conservatism?
December 19, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBThis week Liz Truss promised to shake up the equalities brief, opting for 'facts not fashion' in the fight against inequality that looks at regions and class, not just gender and race. What can we learn about the government's future direction from this speech? Cindy Yu talks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.
Will fish sink a Brexit deal?
December 18, 2020 12:17 - 14 minutes - 13 MBBoris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen spoke last night in another attempt to push the Brexit discussions forward. Statements released after call made clear that fishing rights remain the last serious hurdle - but will negotiators let it sink a deal? James Forsyth discusses with Katy Balls.
Has the government reached a Christmas truce with Tory rebels?
December 17, 2020 18:58 - 10 minutes - 9.46 MBAs parliament breaks up for recess, the government likely dodged a Tory rebellion by allowing Christmas to go ahead. Katy Balls and James Forsyth chew over what's next for MPs on Brexit and Covid. Go to spectator.co.uk/cheers to subscribe and get a free bottle of Pol Roger champagne.
Is Boris now braced for a Brexit deal?
December 16, 2020 15:23 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBWhile the government wrangles with Christmas coronavirus rules, negotiations in Brussels are continuing. Boris Johnson seemed more upbeat about the prospect of a deal at PMQs today, telling SNP leader Ian Blackford that that there was 'every opportunity, every hope' of a deal. Is the PM bracing for an agreement? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth.
Could Christmas still be cancelled?
December 15, 2020 13:38 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBThe government is coming under pressure to reverse the Christmas relaxation of Covid rules, with two of the country's leading health journals - the Health Service Journal and the British Medical Journal - jointly calling for a rethink. Keir Starmer, meanwhile, has called on Boris Johnson to hold an emergency COBRA meeting to review the plans. Will the government cancel Christmas? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
London heading for at least Tier 3
December 14, 2020 12:59 - 10 minutes - 9.99 MBLondon is set to enter the highest set of coronavirus restrictions. Normally this would see restaurants, pubs and indoor entertainment venues forced to close, but could the capital see the introduction even tighter rules? John Connolly speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 13/12/20
December 13, 2020 15:51 - 9 minutes - 9.04 MBIsabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with clips from Dominic Raab, Ursula von der Leyen, Ed Miliband and Arancha González Laya.
Are we any closer to a Brexit deal?
December 13, 2020 15:04 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBBoris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen have decided to continue Brexit negotiations, it was announced today. A deal between the two sides seemed distant after the pair met for dinner last week, and they decided to take stock over the following days. Does the announcement mean real progress is now being made? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth.
Boris Johnson: A year in review
December 12, 2020 10:00 - 20 minutes - 19 MBKaty Balls, James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson look back on Boris Johnson's first year of leading a majority government.
Are we heading for a tier clampdown?
December 11, 2020 15:12 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBWhile Brexit negotiations rumble on, important decisions about Covid still have to be made. Next week, the government will review the tier system and decide whether the localised restrictions need to be eased or tightened. Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth about what might change.
Is no-deal now the default?
December 10, 2020 19:58 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBA Brexit breakthrough seemed possible when Boris Johnson met European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for dinner last night. This evening, however, the PM has warned that there was a 'strong possibility' of no-deal. What's changed, and is no-deal now the most likely outcome? James Forsyth speaks to Katy Balls.
Will the von der Leyen dinner see a Brexit breakthrough?
December 09, 2020 15:37 - 10 minutes - 9.77 MBBoris Johnson is today visiting Brussels to meet EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for dinner, in the hope that the two can agree a path through the stalling Brexit talks. Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Denis Staunton, London editor of the Irish Times, about whether it could give negotiations the lift they desperately need.
Has Matt Hancock been vindicated?
December 08, 2020 15:38 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBThe world's first doses of an authorised Covid vaccine were administered today, with ninety-year-old Briton Margaret Keenan first in line for the Pfizer jab. Health secretary Matt Hancock said it 'makes me proud to be British', after confirming that restrictions could begin to be lifted once the most vulnerable were protected. Has his approach been vindicated? Isabel Hardman talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Is the chance of a Brexit deal diminishing?
December 07, 2020 14:01 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBIt looks like Brexit talks could finally be coming to a head. After Boris Johnson and Ursula Von Der Leyen decided that efforts to reach an agreement should continue, negotiators spent the weekend bartering over fishing rights and the level playing field. The pair are set to have another call later today, but can it break the impasse? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth.
Can Boris break the Brexit stalemate?
December 07, 2020 14:01 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBIt looks like Brexit talks could finally be coming to a head. After Boris Johnson and Ursula Von Der Leyen decided that efforts to reach an agreement should continue, negotiators spent the weekend bartering over fishing rights and the level playing field. The pair are set to have another call later today, but can it break the impasse? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth.
Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 06/12/20
December 06, 2020 17:16 - 11 minutes - 11 MBKaty Balls hosts this weeks' roundup of Sunday's political shows, with highlights coming from George Eustice, Rachel Reeves, Gordon Brown, Alexandre Holroyd and Dr June Raine.
Can things return to normal by the summer?
December 05, 2020 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBAfter promising news about the coronavirus vaccines, Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, a former adviser to Matt Hancock, about what this will mean for experiencing life as we knew it.
Will the French really veto a Brexit deal?
December 04, 2020 12:42 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBIn the last days of the negotiations, the pressure is ramping up as reports began to surface on Thursday evening that the talks were not going as well as hoped. This morning, allies of Emmanuel Macron have warned that France could unilaterally veto a Brexit deal. What will the next days bring and could Macron really pull the plug? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Is a Brexit deal imminent?
December 03, 2020 18:15 - 9 minutes - 8.82 MBThe promising sign of late night negotiation pizza has caused some optimism in Westminster that a Brexit deal may be just around the corner. On the podcast, James Forsyth and Katy Balls discuss what to look out for in the coming days.
Will the vaccine rollout end Tory division?
December 02, 2020 17:20 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBThe UK is the first western country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine, it was announced today. The first doses of Pfizer's jab will be distributed from next week, and the news has renewed hopes that restrictions could soon be lifted. But after last night's vote saw 55 Tory MPs reject the new tiered system, can the good news heal the party? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman.
Has Boris Johnson's optimism backfired?
December 01, 2020 15:18 - 10 minutes - 9.71 MBThe government looks set to win today's Commons vote on the return of the tiers system for England, but tens of Tory backbenchers are unhappy. For them, the Prime Minister's reassurances have lost credibility, so on today's podcast, Isabel Hardman discusses with Katy Balls and James Forsyth whether or not Boris's optimism has backfired.
Is a no-deal Brexit underpriced?
November 30, 2020 13:15 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBBrexit negotiations are continuing this week, with fisheries and the level playing field remaining key sticking points. But with the deadline for an agreement edging closer, is no-deal more likely than anticipated? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
How can Boris win back Tory MPs?
November 30, 2020 13:15 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBThe government will today release impact assessments of the coronavirus tier system, as No. 10 continues to try and persuade Tory MPs of the necessity of new restrictions. The PM has already said that that the measures will be reviewed again in the Commons after Christmas, but are more concessions needed? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 29/11/20
November 29, 2020 16:39 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's interview shows. With Dominic Raab, Nicola Sturgeon, Lisa Nandy, Jim McMahon and Hugh Osmond.
Are the Lib Dems too soggy?
November 28, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBIn this week's Spectator, Matthew Parris asks why the Lib Dems have lost their ideological backbone. On the podcast, he discusses this 'soggification' of the party with Katy Balls and Polly Mackenzie, former special adviser to Nick Clegg and now chief executive of the think tank Demos.
Can the government appease disgruntled Tory MPs?
November 27, 2020 13:34 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBThe return to the tier system will be voted on in the Commons next week, but from the grumblings in the Conservative party, it sounds like the government may need Opposition votes in order to get the legislation through. That's never a comfortable position for a government, so on the podcast, Katy Balls discusses with James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson what the government needs to do in order to appease its backbenchers.
Will Tory MPs rebel over the Tier system?
November 26, 2020 17:41 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBEngland's tier system returns today. With some areas in a stricter tier than they were before the lockdown, as well as a general mistrust amongst Tory lockdown sceptics for the government, many MPs are not happy. But is there anything they can do about it? Katy Balls and James Forsyth discuss.
Why is Rishi Sunak going back on a manifesto pledge?
November 25, 2020 17:31 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBPandemic finances are different to normal finances, as seen by today's new figures from the OBR which show that the UK's economy will not be back to pre-pandemic levels until 2022. In today's spending review, the Chancellor broke a manifesto pledge by cutting the overseas aid budget. Is this a taste of things to come? Katy Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and James Forsyth.