Coffee House Shots
2,109 episodes - English - Latest episode: 15 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
What's behind the government's dramatic U-turn?
August 17, 2020 17:57 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBGavin Williamson announced this afternoon that pupils receiving A-level and GCSE results this year would be awarded teacher-predicted marks. Why has the government finally changed its mind, and will Gavin Williamson stay in the Cabinet? Cindy Yu speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.
Is the government about to U-turn on exams?
August 17, 2020 11:40 - 9 minutes - 9.13 MBAs the backlash to the government's exams fiasco continued over the weekend, Gavin Williamson has been steadfast in not U-turning. But with GCSE results out later this week and Ofqual's algorithm revealing significant inequalities, is this position sustainable? John Connolly talks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson.
Kaya's story: why the government's exams triple lock doesn't help
August 15, 2020 09:00 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBKaya Ilska is a free school meals student, coming from a single mother family. She is incredibly bright - and was predicted 4 A*s by her teachers, a set of grades high enough to meet her offer to study Medicine at UCL. But the government's exams algorithm this week downgraded her results down to AABB, which means she not only misses the UCL offer but also her back-up at Cardiff. On the podcast, Kaya and Fraser go through her options to conclude that the government's so-called 'triple lock' d...
Should France have been kicked off the greenlist?
August 14, 2020 16:56 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBAfter much speculation, France has been put on the quarantine list, along with Netherlands, Monaco, and Malta. But do the numbers really back it up? Cindy Yu talks to Fraser Nelson and Kate Andrews about this decision. Also on the podcast, further lockdown easing and, are schools actually returning?
Levelling down: the results day fiasco
August 13, 2020 17:46 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBIt's A-Level results day and much as expected, a large minority of A-Level grades from across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have been downgraded. For some schools and colleges, more than half of their students have been affected. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to Fraser Nelson and Mary Curnock Cook, former head of Ucas about the government's approach, educational inequality, and why a new cap on university places may have made the situation a whole lot worse.
Why is Labour struggling to attack Boris Johnson?
August 12, 2020 17:04 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBGavin Williamson last night announced that A-level students getting their results tomorrow could appeal using mock exam grades. Meanwhile, today, new figures showed that the UK economy contracted by over 20 per cent between April and June. Amidst all this, why has Labour failed to show how they could govern the country better? Fraser Nelson speaks to Kate Andrews, the Spectator's economics correspondent, and Stephen Bush, political editor at the New Statesman. Subscribe to The Spectator's f...
Will England have to follow Scotland's exams U-turn?
August 11, 2020 15:52 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBAfter a week of feet dragging, the Scottish government has today dramatically U-turned on downgrading exam results for 76,000 students. Those who received lower marks will now revert to the original predicted grades given by their teachers. Meanwhile, we are two days away from the English A-Level results being out, so will Gavin Williamson also reconsider the way results are moderated in England? Cindy Yu talks to Alex Massie and Kate Andrews. Also on the podcast: the latest ONS jobs figures...
Is the Preston lockdown justified?
August 10, 2020 15:40 - 13 minutes - 12 MBOver the weekend, the city of Preston in the north of England was partially locked down. But on what basis? Cindy Yu talks to Kate Andrews and Fraser Nelson about whether the government is implementing local lockdowns based on the right metrics. Subscribe to The Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Are the Lib Dems finished?
August 08, 2020 10:05 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBThe Liberal Democrat leadership race will finally come to an end this month but, after December's crushing election defeat, is the party over too? In a special Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots, Gus Carter speaks to Katy Balls and Nick Tyrone, author of Politics is Murder, about how a new leader could pull the Lib Dems back from the brink of extinction. Subscribe to The Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Will France be quarantined next?
August 07, 2020 15:19 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBBelgium, Andorra and the Bahamas were added to the UK’s quarantine list yesterday evening, meaning Brits returning from those countries will be required to stay at home for two weeks. With Belgium’s neighbour, France, also seeing a surge in coronavirus cases, will they be next? Gus Carter speaks to Katy Balls – who is on holiday in Paris – and James Forsyth about air bridges, exam results and the lack of candidates to become the next cabinet secretary. Subscribe to The Spectator's first pod...
Will Boris's planning reforms backfire?
August 06, 2020 13:35 - 10 minutes - 9.48 MBThe government has announced the most ambitious planning reforms of a generation – but could they backfire? Meanwhile, as the contacting tracing regime continues to lag, health officials launch a new coronavirus app that will tell people if they may be at risk from the virus. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Kate Andrews. Subscribe to The Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Can Douglas Ross take on the SNP?
August 05, 2020 18:38 - 10 minutes - 9.49 MBDouglas Ross has won the Scottish Conservatives leadership election – but can take on the SNP without risking a second independence referendum? Meanwhile, pressure is growing on the Tories to suspended a former minister accused of rape. Finally, a new report by a cross-party group of MPs suggests the failure to impose quarantine on travellers at the height of the pandemic could have worsened the coronavirus crisis. Gus Carter talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Subscribe to The Spectator...
Are we heading for mass unemployment?
August 04, 2020 16:27 - 9 minutes - 8.82 MBPizza Express today announced that 1,100 jobs are at risk as they close 67 outlets. With the Chancellor's furlough scheme winding up in November, should we expect more mass redundancies when the government support is cut? Gus Carter speaks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews about the UK's economic outlook, and also asks whether the UK's track and trace system is ready for children returning to school next month. Subscribe to the Spectator's podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast hi...
Can 'Eat Out to Help Out' save the restaurant industry?
August 03, 2020 15:52 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBToday marks the start of the 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme – but can the move save Britain's restaurants without risking a second spike? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Kate Andrews about the Treasury initiative, as well as the possibility of more local lockdowns. Subscribe to the Spectator's podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
What's behind the excess deaths statistics?
August 01, 2020 09:00 - 22 minutes - 21.1 MBStatistics released this week showed that England had the worst excess death rate in Europe during the first half of 2020. Katy Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and Carl Heneghan, professor of Evidence-Based Medicine at Oxford University about what's behind the numbers. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Boris Johnson pauses lockdown easing
July 31, 2020 16:24 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBOvernight, the government announced a return of stricter social distancing measures in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and East Lancashire, with multiple households no longer allowed to meet indoors or in pubs and restaurants. Then, in a press conference today, the Prime Minister also called off the reopening of bowling alleys, casinos and indoor concert venues. What prompted the sudden change, and are we entering a second lockdown? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Subsc...
Why are England's excess deaths so high?
July 30, 2020 16:08 - 10 minutes - 9.47 MBNew figures show that England had the highest excess death rate across Europe in the first half of 2020. With another coronavirus wave looking imminent, can the government figure out why this happened in time for a second spike? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Could the government be over-correcting on a second wave?
July 29, 2020 17:07 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBFears of a second wave dominate Westminster chat, but how much of it is the government trying to fight the last battle? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls over the difficult task the government has to balance the lessons learnt from the first wave of the pandemic, to the economic concerns prompting the lockdown. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
How imminent is a second wave?
July 28, 2020 15:30 - 9 minutes - 8.77 MBBoris Johnson said there are signs that a second wave of coronavirus will soon sweep through Europe. Should Brits still go on their holiday abroad, and could the UK cope with another lockdown? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Kate Andrews. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here (https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcast-highlights) and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Monday.
Is a second wave imminent?
July 28, 2020 15:30 - 9 minutes - 8.77 MBBoris Johnson said there are signs that a second wave of coronavirus will soon sweep through Europe. Should Brits still go on their holiday abroad, and could the UK cope with another lockdown? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Kate Andrews. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Was there a different way to handle the Spanish quarantine?
July 27, 2020 12:07 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBWithin a few hours, the government enacted a quarantine policy for those returning from Spain (including the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, and almost including our own Economics Correspondent Kate Andrews). There's been confusion and unhappiness over the speed with which this was put in place, but did the government have any choice? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your in...
Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 26/07/20
July 26, 2020 14:56 - 13 minutes - 12 MBKaty Balls presents the highlights from the Sunday interviews, with Dominic Raab, Dido Harding, Jonathan Ashworth and Tony Blair.
Prime Minister Johnson's turbulent first year
July 25, 2020 09:00 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBBoris Johnson probably didn't expect his first year as Prime Minister to shake out quite the way it did. From winning a landslide majority, to leading the country during a global pandemic, it's the sort of year that, if shown in a TV show fans would complain about too much being squeezed into one season. On the podcast, Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and former MP and director of Political Insight, Stewart Jackson, about this turbulent last year. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcas...
Will Boris's war on obesity succeed?
July 24, 2020 13:59 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBNew plans are being drawn up to tackle obesity in Britain, with proposals including a ban on adverts of junk foods and calorie content shown on restaurant menus. Will Boris get his war on obesity succeed, and will it meet opposition within his own party? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth. Also on the podcast: when is normality going to return, and are anti-vaxxers 'nuts'? Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your i...
Could Boris's Scotland charm offensive backfire?
July 23, 2020 14:07 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBThe Prime Minister visits Scotland today as parliament goes into recess. The Union is in grave danger, as a previous episode discussed. But can the government woo back the wavering Scots? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Can Boris woo back the Scots?
July 23, 2020 14:07 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBThe Prime Minister visits Scotland today as parliament goes into recess. The Union is in grave danger, as a previous episode discussed. But can the government woo back the wavering Scots? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here (https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcast-highlights) and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Monday.
Starmer vs Corbyn
July 22, 2020 15:38 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBKeir Starmer was keen to put clear blue water between himself and Corbyn's Labour party today, on both the apology to anti-Semitism whistleblowers and the Russia report. Will this cut through to the voters? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Is there anything new in the Russia report?
July 21, 2020 14:23 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBThe long-awaited Russia report is finally out, so what are the revelations within it? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and the New Statesman's Political Editor, Stephen Bush. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Is TikTok the next Huawei?
July 20, 2020 11:54 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBNow that Huawei is banned, China hawks in the Conservative Party are turning their attention to social media platform TikTok, which is owned by a Chinese company. It comes as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives in the UK today to meet with Conservative backbenchers and the government to discuss China further. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about what to expect from the government on China next. Also on the episode: the race to buy up vaccines and Cabinet's return to...
Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 19/07/20
July 19, 2020 15:16 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBKaty Balls hosts the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Russian ambassador Andrei Kelin and Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy.
How much danger is the Union in?
July 18, 2020 09:00 - 14 minutes - 13.8 MBJames Forsyth writes in this week's Spectator that the Union is the biggest challenge facing this government, despite everything that is going on with the pandemic. Support for Scottish independence continues to grow north of the border. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and our Scotland Editor Alex Massie about what the Tories can do about this. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Does the government's plan really approach 'significant normality'?
July 17, 2020 11:46 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBIn a press conference from Downing Street today, Boris Johnson set out the road to 'significant normality' - but not until November. It's a more cautious position than had been previously briefed, but is even this timeline too optimistic? John Connolly talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Why the government moved against Julian Lewis
July 16, 2020 17:11 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBChris Grayling failed to win the chairmanship of the Intelligence and Security Committee on Wednesday evening. In his stead, Julian Lewis clinched the position, and No 10 withdrew the whip from Lewis. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about why this happened and whether it's better to rule by fear or love. Also on the episode: Shamima Begum and Patrick Vallance's comments on working from home. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get ea...
Who should be worried about the independent Covid inquiry?
July 15, 2020 18:05 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBBoris Johnson has confirmed that there will be an inquiry into the handling of the pandemic after a possible second wave is over. On the podcast, Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about what it will find and who should be worried. Watch the Spectator's own inquiry into the government's handling of the pandemic on Thursday evening at 6pm with Andrew Neil, Katy Balls, James Forsyth, and Kate Andrews. Tickets here.
Why Boris u-turned on Huawei
July 14, 2020 17:34 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBMuch as expected, the government has u-turned on Huawei, though the new government policy doesn't go as far as some of the most hardline Tory MPs would wish. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about the UK's China policy in the years to come. Also on the episode: masks and the Union. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Does anyone know the truth about face masks?
July 13, 2020 15:21 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBIn recent days, more supportive noises have been made by those on the top of government about the wearing of face masks indoors, especially in shops. Scotland has already made it compulsory. But it wasn't long ago when the government was saying that face masks may even harm efforts to control the virus. So does anyone know the truth about face masks? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast hi...
Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 12/07/20
July 12, 2020 15:49 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBKaty Balls presents the highlights from Sunday's political inerviews, today featuring Michael Gove, Lucy Powell and Sir Richard Dearlove.
Dominic Cummings's plans for defence reform
July 11, 2020 09:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBDominic Cummings will be touring key Ministry of Defence sites ahead of this year's defence review. So how would he like to reform the UK's military and defence capabilities? Katy Balls finds out from James Forsyth and the Times's Defence Editor Lucy Fisher. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
The government's inconsistent messaging on lockdown easing
July 10, 2020 14:20 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBNew lockdown easing measures have been announced, so later this month swimming pools, gyms, and outdoor theatres will be reopening in England. At the same time, the government advice on offices is still to work from home and do not travel by public transport. So are offices and trains really much less safe than beauty salons and pools? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in you...
Is Rishi Sunak really hinting at tax rises?
July 09, 2020 15:49 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBThe Chancellor's statement has gone down well but the big question is how the government will pay for all this. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about the possibility of tax rises, why the Governor of the Bank of England is still planning to address the 1922 committee, John Lewis's troubles, and Mark Sedwill's severance pay. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.
Can Rishi Sunak’s jobs pledge keep unemployment down?
July 08, 2020 16:04 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBThe Chancellor has given his mini-Budget in a statement to the Commons today, and among a raft of stimulus measures from a VAT cut to stamp duty reduction, he has announced measures designed to keep down unemployment. But the government is clearly braced for a wave of unemployment when furlough ends, so are his pledges enough? Katy Balls talks to Kate Andrews and James Forsyth. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher.
Is social care reform now inevitable?
July 07, 2020 14:43 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBBoris Johnson has rowed back on comments suggesting that care homes suffered from the pandemic because they did not follow procedure, after a widespread backlash. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about whether or not social care reform is inevitable, as well as why Andrew Bailey planned to address the Tory 1922 committee and the Magnitsky Act. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher.
Why the government's arts bailout was so generous
July 06, 2020 16:24 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBRishi Sunak has announced a £1.6 billion bailout for the arts industry, which was more generous than many were expecting. On the podcast, Katy Balls talks to Kate Andrews and James Forsyth about why this is. They also discuss Pret's troubles and the coming Huawei u-turn. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher.
Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 05/07/20
July 05, 2020 15:46 - 10 minutes - 9.33 MBKaty Balls presents the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with Matt Hancock, Anneliese Dodds and Sir Simon Stevens.
Will No 10's press briefing shake-up really deliver more transparency?
July 04, 2020 09:00 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBDowning St has announced that it will be televising its afternoon lobby press briefing, come October. Inspired by the daily coronavirus briefings, it's a shake-up that supporters say could improve transparency. On the podcast, Katy Balls speaks to former No 10 comms chief Craig Oliver, James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson. They also take a punt at which experienced broadcaster may be brought in to deliver the briefing. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon...
What next for Ghislaine Maxwell?
July 03, 2020 21:36 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBFreddy Gray talks to Alana Goodman, senior investigative reporter at the Free Beacon and co-author of An Inconvenient Death, about the arrest of Jeffrey Epstein's closest confidant.
Will Super Saturday prove a washout?
July 03, 2020 15:15 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBOne day to go until 'Super Saturday', when pubs and restaurants in England (except Leicester) will reopen. But polls show that only a small minority of Brits will go back to the pubs. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about what this would mean for post-pandemic recovery. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher.
How schools will look after the pandemic
July 02, 2020 16:25 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBThe government has set out its guidelines for how schools will look come September. Attendance will be compulsory, and even Labour is on board. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the new world of schooling. Also on the podcast: why the Frost-Barnier meeting broke up a day early and Scotland's lockdown easing. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher.
Should the government go further on Hong Kong?
July 01, 2020 16:22 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBChina's new national security law has been passed in Hong Kong, and from this morning it has been implemented as handfuls of protestors have already been arrested under its new wide-ranging powers. Dominic Raab has pledged to speed up the process to offer British residency for Hong Kong's BNO passport holders and their dependents. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about whether or not the government should go further. Also on the podcast: the local lockdown in Leicester and Keir...
What's so new in Boris's 'New Deal'?
June 30, 2020 14:44 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBThe country is facing a post-pandemic recession that will leave millions unemployed and businesses bankrupted, so despite all the noise, is Boris's 'New Deal' tackling the right problems? Our Economics Correspondent Kate Andrews joins the podcast today, and tells James Forsyth and Katy Balls why she thinks today's announcement was little more than rehashing of the Conservatives' pre-coronavirus manifesto. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift vou...