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
Will there be a Tory revolt over Tier 3 restrictions?
November 24, 2020 13:19 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBThe Prime Minister announced yesterday that the nationwide lockdown would come to an end on December 2. In the updated tier system, pubs and restaurants will be closed at the highest level of restrictions, but gyms and non-essential shops will remain open. Isabel Hardman speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about whether Conservative MPs will accept the changes.
Will Oxford's vaccine bring back normality?
November 23, 2020 13:10 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBOxford University's vaccine could be up to 90 per cent effective, data from phase III trials shows today. With the UK government ordering 100 million doses of the jab, could it mean a return to normality is on the horizon? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 22/11/20
November 22, 2020 16:09 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBIsabel Hardman takes you through the highlights from Sunday's political programmes. With Rishi Sunak, Anneliese Dodds, Lucy Powell and Professor Calum Semple.
Is there a case for Scottish independence?
November 21, 2020 12:23 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBPolls consistently show a majority of Scots are in favour of independence - do they have a case? Fraser Nelson speaks to Andrew Wilson, former MSP and founding partner of Charlotte Street Partners.
Why Priti Patel is staying put
November 20, 2020 12:29 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBSir Alex Allen, a top civil servant in charge of the report into allegations of bullying at the Home Office, has resigned, but the Home Secretary Priti Patel, who is at the centre of it all, has not. Why is the Prime Minister so keen to 'stick with Prit'? Fraser Nelson talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Will new defence money solve the MoD's spending blackhole?
November 19, 2020 18:35 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBThe government has announced a £16.5 billion increase in defence spending, far more generous than previously expected. Will this new budget signal an end to the MoD's spending blackhole? John Connolly talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Is Boris's green agenda enough to reset No. 10?
November 18, 2020 15:32 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBBoris Johnson has today announced a raft of new environmental policies, following the departure of Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain last week. Will it reset the direction of Number 10, or are more comprehensive changes needed? Cindy Yu speaks to Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
What's behind Boris's green agenda?
November 18, 2020 15:32 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBBoris Johnson has today announced a raft of new environmental policies, following the departure of Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain last week. Will it reset the direction of Number 10, or are more comprehensive changes needed? Cindy Yu speaks to Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Has devolution been a disaster?
November 17, 2020 16:45 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBBoris Johnson told northern MPs last night that he thought Scottish devolution had been a 'disaster', a comment that was immediately disowned by the Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross. Katy Balls talks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Can a self-isolating Boris reset his premiership?
November 16, 2020 15:12 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBBoris Johnson has been told to self-isolate by contact tracers after meeting with a Covid positive MP last week. It comes just as the PM was expected to reset his premiership following the departure of Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain. Gus Carter is joined by Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 15/11/20
November 15, 2020 17:04 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBIsabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's interview shows. Highlights today come from Simon Coveney, George Eustice, Professor Ugur Sahin, Jo Stevens and Gordon Brown.
What do special advisers actually do?
November 14, 2020 08:40 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBDominic Cummings walked out of No. 10 Downing Street last night – but what did he actually do in there? Katy Balls is joined by Fraser Nelson and Peter Cardwell, a former SpAd and author of The Secret Life of Special Advisers.
Who will replace Dominic Cummings?
November 13, 2020 14:17 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBBoris Johnson's chief aide has said that he'll be gone by Christmas – so what does that mean for Downing Street operations? Katy Balls is joined by Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Has Vote Leave lost control?
November 12, 2020 16:54 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBDowning Street has seen a day of backstabbing and counter-briefings after Dominic Cummings ally Lee Cain resigned as Boris Johnson's director of communications. John Connolly talks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.
Could the vaccine trigger another Tory divide?
November 11, 2020 16:02 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBBackbench Tory MPs are questioning the government's plan for rolling out the vaccine. Meanwhile, rumours over a new Downing Street chief of staff have triggered a spat inside No. 10. Gus Carter talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Why is No. 10 so cautious about a Covid vaccine?
November 10, 2020 14:50 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBThe Pfizer vaccine is being lauded by many as the silver bullet that could end the Covid crisis. Meanwhile, the UK has seen a record number of redundancies. Also, No. 10 suffered serious defeat in the Lords last night over its controversial Brexit bill. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Kate Andrews.
Are we on the brink of a Covid vaccine?
November 09, 2020 14:46 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBThe drugs firm Pfizer has announced that its vaccine — currently in stage three trials — is 90% effective. Meanwhile, Britain and the EU are entering the final stage of trade negotiations. Finally, No. 10 is ramping up its inquiry to discover who leaked news of England's second lockdown. Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 08/11/20
November 08, 2020 16:42 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBIsabel Hardman presents the best bits from Sunday's political programmes. Today's highlights come from Dominic Raab, General Sir Nick Carter, Sajid Javid, Emily Thornberry and Senator Chris Coons.
Can the NHS cope with Covid?
November 07, 2020 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBAt Thursday's coronavirus press conference, Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of the NHS, said a second wave 'is real and it's serious', as he warned that 11,000 people were already in hospital with the virus. Is the NHS able to cope with another spike in infections, and has the government adequately prepared for winter? Kate Andrews speaks to Fraser Nelson and Dave West, deputy editor of the Health Service Journal.
Was the three tier system working all along?
November 06, 2020 13:17 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBAs Liverpool begins it's mass testing trial, ONS figures published today show that the coronavirus infection rate was fell in the week ending October 31. So was the tiered system working all along, meaning the new lockdown is unnecessary? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth about the new data, Scottish independence, and the US election.
Has Rishi Sunak lost the argument?
November 05, 2020 19:30 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBThe Chancellor announced new furlough measures today, something that he has long been opposed to. Katy Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and James Forsyth about whether or not Rishi Sunak has lost the argument. Tell us your thoughts on our podcasts and be in for a chance to win a bottle of Pol Roger champagne by filling out our podcast survey. Visit spectator.co.uk/podcastsurvey.
Should the government take a stance on the US election?
November 04, 2020 12:41 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBDominic Raab refused to comment on Donald Trump's claims of election 'fraud' this morning, after the President said he planned to contest the result in the Supreme Court. Boris Johnson also refrained from being drawn into a conversation about the race, saying at PMQs that the UK would not comment 'on the democratic processes of our friends and allies'. Is the the government right not to take a stance? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Tell us your thoughts on our podcasts and...
Is mass testing the way out of lockdown?
November 03, 2020 12:42 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBAs England heads into a second lockdown, today brings a glimmer of hope. Liverpool will be the first UK city to undergo mass testing, including a fast turnaround saliva test. John Connolly talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about whether Moonshot, this time around, is more realistic. Tell us your thoughts on our podcasts and be in for a chance to win a bottle of Pol Roger champagne by filling out our podcast survey. Visit spectator.co.uk/podcastsurvey.
Is Operation Moonshot back?
November 03, 2020 12:42 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBAs England heads into a second lockdown, today brings a glimmer of hope. Liverpool will be the first UK city to undergo mass testing, including a fast turnaround saliva test. John Connolly talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about whether Moonshot, this time around, is more realistic. Tell us your thoughts on our podcasts and be in for a chance to win a bottle of Pol Roger champagne by filling out our podcast survey. Visit http://spectator.co.uk/podcastsurvey.
Why a Tory lockdown rebellion should worry Boris
November 02, 2020 12:59 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBAfter Boris Johnson announced that England would be put into another nationwide lockdown this Thursday, backbench Tory MPs quickly made their opposition known. Graham Brady, chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee, said the restrictions would be denounced 'as a form of evil' if enforced in a totalitarian state. But with Labour's backing meaning the measures will pass, why should a Conservative rebellion worry the PM? Fraser Nelson speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 01/11/20
November 01, 2020 16:30 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBIsabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Michael Gove, Sir Keir Starmer, David Miliband and Dame Carolyn Fairbairn.
Lockdown Part Two - Is England back to square one?
October 31, 2020 21:36 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBKaty Balls, James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson discuss the Prime Minister's latest announcement.
Is a second national lockdown imminent?
October 31, 2020 11:00 - 17 minutes - 16 MBThe whole of England could be put into lockdown again, reports this morning claim, as coronavirus cases continue to rise at a rate above the worst-case scenario modelled by SAGE. It comes as newly published minutes from the first week of October show the advisory group pushed the government to take action sooner. Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
A glimpse of normality with Swedish historian Johan Norberg
October 31, 2020 10:00 - 30 minutes - 27.5 MBKate Andrews interviews Swedish historian Johan Norberg in a Stockholm cafe about what we can and can't learn from the Swedish Covid experience and the importance of liberty and trust in a functioning democracy.
Will there be a Labour civil war?
October 30, 2020 13:02 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBThough there are grumblings from the left of the Labour party over Corbyn's suspension, Keir Starmer has taken today to set the narrative in his favour. The polls, showing Labour in the lead, also help. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about how Starmer may have nipped a civil war in the bud.
Can the Labour left resist Keir Starmer?
October 29, 2020 18:54 - 10 minutes - 9.99 MBLabour is truly under new leadership as Jeremy Corbyn gets suspended from the party today. The left of the party is clearly not happy - but can they do anything about the new direction of the party? John Connolly talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Tell us your thoughts on our podcasts and be in for a chance to win a bottle of Pol Roger champagne by filling out our podcast survey. Visit spectator.co.uk/podcastsurvey.
Can Boris Johnson resist a national lockdown?
October 28, 2020 11:33 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBSAGE warned that the second wave of Covid-19 could be worse than the first, and that the whole of England could be in Tier-3 by Christmas, reports today claim. With Emmanuel Macron also expected to announce another national lockdown in France tonight, can Boris Johnson continue to resist doing the same? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman. Tell us your thoughts on our podcasts and be in for a chance to win a bottle of Pol Roger champagne by filling out our podcast survey. Vi...
Is levelling up still viable in the age of Covid?
October 27, 2020 13:51 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MBMore than 50 Tory MPs have signed a letter organised by Jake Berry's Northern Research Group, urging the government to not forget its pledge to level up the North. But does Boris Johnson need to recalibrate his ambitions in the age of Covid? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and John Connolly. Tell us your thoughts on our podcasts and be in for a chance to win a bottle of Pol Roger champagne by filling out our podcast survey. Visit spectator.co.uk/podcastsurvey.
Is a free school meals U-turn inevitable?
October 26, 2020 14:17 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBBoris Johnson said the government would 'do everything in our power' to ensure children wouldn't go hungry over Christmas, after backlash over their refusal to extend free school meals over the holiday. Tory MPs have criticised the position following a campaign by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, with Sir Bernard Jenkin saying the government had 'misunderstood the mood of the country'. Is a U-turn now inevitable? John Connolly speaks to James Forsyth and Cindy Yu.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 25/10/20
October 25, 2020 16:51 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBIsabel Hardman brings you the best of Sunday's political shows, with Brandon Lewis, Bernard Jenkin, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Vaughan Gething and Dr Anthony Fauci.
Will there be a 'special relationship' under a Biden presidency?
October 24, 2020 09:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBMany on this side of the pond and on the stateside believe that there is a natural affinity between Boris Johnson and Donald Trump. So what will Anglo-American relations be like under a President Biden? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Sir Christopher Meyer, former Ambassador to Washington, about the opportunities and the pitfalls.
What will tier three do to the North?
October 23, 2020 13:21 - 10 minutes - 9.41 MBTier three restrictions came into force in regions across the UK, including Greater Manchester, today. Blackpool Tower even lit up with an SOS message last night, as businesses warned they could not survive in the face of new measures. John Connolly discusses what the new restrictions will do to the North with Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Has Rishi Sunak performed a U-turn?
October 22, 2020 16:42 - 10 minutes - 9.64 MBThe Chancellor's new economic package was much more generous than his previous plans, and when asked, Sunak insisted he was just reacting to the changing coronavirus situation. But could these pandemic developments really not be foreseen? Katy Balls talks to Kate Andrews and James Forsyth.
Can Starmer capitalise on Boris's lockdown woes?
October 21, 2020 14:07 - 10 minutes - 9.74 MBKeir Starmer seemed unable to land a definitive blow on Boris Johnson in PMQs this afternoon, after the government imposed a tier three lockdown in Manchester. Will the Labour leader be able to capitalise on their lockdown woes? John Connolly speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Will coronavirus overwhelm Manchester's hospitals?
October 20, 2020 15:05 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBWhile the government has failed to strike a deal with Greater Manchester authorities to put the region into tier three, the Prime Minister is expected to announce an imposition of the restrictions in a press conference later today. But will coronavirus overwhelm Manchester's hospitals? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
What will break the Manchester deadlock?
October 19, 2020 13:29 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBThe government is today expected to announce whether Greater Manchester will be placed into a tier three lockdown after negotiations with Andy Burnham continued over the weekend. Why have the talks been so protracted? Does the Mayor disagree with lockdown, or simply want more financial support? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 18/10/20
October 18, 2020 14:20 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBIsabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with clips from Andy Burnham, Michael Gove, Rachel Reeves, Kate Green and Jeremy Farrar.
Kate Andrews: Why I switched to Biden
October 17, 2020 09:00 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBThe Spectator's economics correspondent Kate Andrews talks to Freddy Gray about why she is voting for the Democrats with a heavy heart.
Are we heading for no-deal again?
October 16, 2020 13:01 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBBoris Johnson today told Brits to prepare for a no-deal Brexit, saying the European Union were 'not willing' to offer a Canada-style trade agreement. Is this really the end of the talks, or is progress being made behind the scenes? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
Why has Boris's Covid strategy backfired in the North?
October 15, 2020 18:59 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBAndy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, today slammed the government for attempting to put the region in the highest tier of Covid-19 restrictions, saying the North would not be a 'sacrificial lamb'. Why has the three-tier system backfired on the government? John Connolly speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Will Boris be dragged into a second lockdown?
October 14, 2020 14:20 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBA paper to be published by Sage scientists today claims that more than 7,000 lives could be saved if the government imposes a two-week 'circuit breaker'. With Keir Starmer today saying the policy would be in the 'national interest', Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth about whether Boris could put Britain into lockdown again.
Is the government no longer 'following the science'?
October 13, 2020 11:58 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBNew documents from Sage show minutes from late September in which scientists advised a circuit breaker lockdown. It's clear that the government didn't take that advice. So is No 10 no longer 'following the science'? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Will the three-tier system backfire on Boris?
October 12, 2020 12:19 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBA three-tier system of coronavirus restrictions is set to be announced today, but the government is still locked in negotiations with local authorities over the financial support given to areas at the highest level. With a growing number of Tory backbenchers coming out against harsher measures, could the new system backfire on the PM? Isabel Hardman speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 11/10/20
October 11, 2020 15:19 - 11 minutes - 11 MBIsabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with clips from Robert Jenrick, Nicola Sturgeon, Jonathan Reynolds and Councillor David Greenhalgh.
What's behind Labour's coronavirus strategy?
October 10, 2020 09:00 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MBJohn Connolly, Katy Balls and Patrick Maguire discuss Sir Keir Starmer's shift in approach to the government's Covid measures.