Coffee House Shots
2,064 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 12 hours 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
Why has Rishi Sunak made five more pledges?
November 20, 2023 12:38 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBJames Heale, Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson look ahead to the Autumn Statement this week. Will Rishi Sunak commit to cutting taxes? And with barely a year to go before the election, would implementing any policies now be felt in time?
Katy Balls' Sunday Roundup - 19/11/2023
November 19, 2023 16:01 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBKaty Balls presents highlights from this week's political shows. It's an economy special, as Jeremy Hunt prepares to deliver his autumn statement next week. With tax at an all time high, which tax cuts will the government make, if any? Changes to benefits may see many lose out if they don't find jobs. Labour's Rachel Reeves says fixing the NHS is the way to get people back to work, and isn't impressed with potential inheritance tax cuts. And the government is desperate to make their Rwanda...
What will fix Britain’s prisons?
November 18, 2023 10:00 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBHMP Bedford was issued with an urgent notification yesterday, meaning it must immediately make reforms to improve. It’s the fifth prison to receive such a notification this year. What’s going wrong in Britain’s prisons, and what will fix them? Max Jeffery speaks to former prison governor Ian Acheson and former prisoner David Shipley.
Can Sunak shift the dial?
November 17, 2023 13:00 - 13 minutes - 12 MBThe chancellor Jeremy Hunt will deliver his autumn statement next week and Rishi Sunak will be hoping to stamp his authority onto a fracturing party after a difficult few days. There are lots of rumours swirling around about what might be included, such as cuts to inheritance tax and to taxes for small businesses. What should we expect? Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Should Starmer worry about the ceasefire rebellion?
November 16, 2023 11:32 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBFifty-six Labour MPs rebelled last night and voted for an SNP amendment calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. Keir Starmer had ordered his party to abstain on the vote, and said afterwards that Israel had suffered ‘its worst terrorist attack in a single day’ on 7 October, and that ‘no government would allow the capability and intent to repeat such an attack to go unchallenged’. Is Starmer’s authority now under threat? Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews.
Supreme Court rules Rwanda scheme unlawful
November 15, 2023 12:18 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBThe Supreme Court has ruled that the government scheme to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda is unlawful. Why? And how will Rishi Sunak respond? Will he try to take Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews.
Suella tells Rishi: 'You have repeatedly failed to deliver'
November 14, 2023 17:15 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBWhen Suella Braverman was sacked on Monday she warned that she would have more to say in due course, and has just released her resignation letter. It is predictably punchy, accusing the prime minister of backtracking on policy promises he made her and especially on his commitment to stop the boats. Will Sunak come to regret casting Suella Braverman aside? Is this the start of a leadership bid? Cindy You speaks to Katy Balls and Paul Goodman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Oscar Edmondson.
Will the Tory right be happy with Sunak's reshuffle?
November 13, 2023 18:00 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBRishi Sunak has spent today selecting new people for his Cabinet. With MP's to the right such as Suella Braverman removed from office, has Rishi Sunak's bold reshuffle made deeper divides in his party?
Sunak’s reshuffle: refresh or rewind?
November 13, 2023 11:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBIt’s reshuffle day in Westminster. Suella Braverman is out as Home Secretary, replaced by James Cleverly, with former prime minister David Cameron making a shock return to parliament in the vacant Foreign Secretary slot. It’s the first time since 1974 that a former PM has been appointed to the cabinet. Can Rishi Sunak really still claim to be the candidate to end the ‘thirty year status quo’? Will he regret bringing Cameron back? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson. Produce...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 12/11/2023
November 12, 2023 21:43 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBIsabel Hardman presents highlights from this week's political shows. The Palestine march on Saturday was accompanied by violence after far-right groups converged on the Cenotaph. Did the Home Secretary's controversial Times article undermine the police and inflame tensions? Grant Shapps won't criticise Suella Braverman, but Yvette Cooper certainly does. Labour division continues with an upcoming vote on a motion calling for immediate ceasefire. And President Isaac Herzog claims Israel have...
Has Nadine Dorries lost the plot?
November 11, 2023 07:00 - 14 minutes - 13 MBThis week Nadine Dorries’s new book The Plot: The Political Assassination of Boris Johnson has been published, and it has ruffled some feathers in Westminster. In it, she claims there was a plot orchestrated by a secret cabal of back room advisors, politicians and individuals in the media to overthrow Boris Johnson. Just what is ‘the movement’? James Heale speaks to Fraser Nelson and Christopher Howse, assistant editor at the Telegraph. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Is Suella Braverman safe for now?
November 10, 2023 17:01 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBDespite mounting pressure from Conservative MPs to remove Suella Braverman, no announcement has been made yet. How much pressure is Rishi Sunak facing over the Home Secretary's stand-off with the Met Police? Also on the podcast, Natasha Feroze speaks to James Heale and Isabel Harman about the Conservative Home Cabinet league table ahead of a possible reshuffle.
What is Suella Braverman up to?
November 09, 2023 12:26 - 9 minutes - 9.18 MBSuella Braverman has again dominated conversation with her controversial rhetoric, this time comparing the pro-Palestinian marches to the Orange Marches of Northern Ireland in a punchy op-ed for the Times. Has she finally gone too far for this government? Max Jeffery talks to Katy Balls and James Heale. Produced by Max Jeffery and Cindy Yu.
Will Mark Rowley ban the pro-Palestine protests?
November 08, 2023 17:22 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBRishi Sunak met with Met Commissioner Mark Rowley today to discuss the pro-Palestine protests planned for the Remembrance weekend. Sunak has called the marches ‘disrespectful’, and said he would hold Rowley ‘accountable’ for not banning them. Will the Commissioner change his mind? Isabel Hardman speaks to Katy Balls and Danny Shaw, former home affairs correspondent for the BBC.
What did King Charles say?
November 07, 2023 17:33 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBIt was the King’s speech today. King Charles announced that the government would introduce new laws to, among other things, force criminals to attend their sentencing hearings, scrap most jail sentences of less than a year, and sell all new houses as freehold properties. Is it enough for the Tories to turn around their deficit in the polls? Katy Balls speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman.
Is Suella Braverman in trouble over rough sleepers?
November 06, 2023 12:45 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBThe Home Secretary sparked fury over the weekend for her comments on homelessness, suggesting that rough sleepers using tents is a 'lifestyle choice'. Senior cabinet members including the Rishi Sunak didn't jump to her defence from the comments. What was behind her decision to take such a firm line? Also on the podcast, Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and Isabel Hardman about the serial rapist cover-up allegations levelled at the Tory party.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 05/11/2023
November 05, 2023 22:14 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBIsabel Hardman presents highlights from this week's political shows. The Israel-Palestine conflict is creating division in the UK, with pro-Palestine rallies being labelled as 'hate marches' by Suella Braverman, and Keir Starmer continuing to reject calls for a ceasefire from members of his party. Hossam Zaki warns that a political solution is the only way forward. Plus, Oliver Dowden reacts to explosive testimony in the Covid inquiry this week, and Succession star Sarah Snook talks about ...
Has WhatsApp ruined government?
November 04, 2023 10:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBWhatsApps between officials in Boris Johnson’s government have been centre-stage at the Covid inquiry this week. Is the app encouraging on-the-hoof policymaking and nasty briefing? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Guido Fawkes chief Paul Staines.
Was Rishi Sunak's AI summit a success?
November 03, 2023 17:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBThis week the prime minister hosted his landmark AI summit at Bletchley Park which wrapped up with an interview with Elon Musk, who warned that AI will one day render all jobs obsolete. The who's who of AI were in attendance over the two days as well the likes of Kamala Harris and Ursula von der Leyen, but what was actually achieved? Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Madhumita Murgia, AI editor at the Financial Times.
Has the Bank of England done enough to stave off recession?
November 02, 2023 15:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBThe Bank of England has once again taken the decision to hold interest rates at their 15-year high. There is growing market consensus that this second pause is a sign that interest rates have peaked, or nearly reached their peak. Will the Bank be able to tread the thin line between tackling inflation but also keeping the country out of recession? Will Rishi Sunak hit his target to 'halve inflation'? Natasha Feroze speaks to Kate Andrews and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Natasha Feroze and ...
Did Boris's No. 10 have a women problem?
November 01, 2023 17:11 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBToday the Covid inquiry heard from Helen McNamara, former deputy cabinet secretary (who infamously supplied a karaoke machine for one of the government's lockdown parties). Her evidence suggested that the government's pandemic response had a women problem – from not properly understanding lockdown's impact on domestic abuse to not considering that PPE is designed for male bodies, not female. Is that fair? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu.
Did anything new come from the Covid inquiry?
October 31, 2023 15:56 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBFraser Nelson speaks to Michael Simmons about the second phase of the Covid inquiry, looking at political governance. Attending the inquiry today was former No.10 aids Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain.
What’s the point of the Covid inquiry?
October 30, 2023 17:21 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBThe Covid inquiry enters its most dramatic week, questioning Martin Reynolds (a.k.a. 'Party Marty'), as well as former No. 10 advisors Lee Cain and Dominic Cummings. But it seems that the inquiry has gone down more the route of interpersonal drama rather than lessons learnt for government decisionmaking. So what's the point of it? Katy Balls talks to Isabel Hardman and James Heale. Produced by Cindy Yu.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 29/10/23
October 29, 2023 21:39 - 13 minutes - 12 MBIsabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. Israel's ground invasion has begun. We hear the latest response from the government and Labour, as calls grow for a humanitarian pause to the offensive. MP Layla Moran speaks of the desperation of her family, who are unable to move from the north of Gaza. And the head of the tech company Palantir says patient data will be safe, as his company attempt to get a massive deal with the NHS over the line. Produced by Joe...
Can Conservatism fix its pathway of decline?
October 28, 2023 09:00 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBAs the government faces a general election defeat, is there a home for traditionally conservative thinkers? An international branch of new right Conservatives will join together on Monday for the Alliance of Responsible Citizenships (ARC) designed to share ideas and debate policy. But why won't many call themselves 'Conservatives'? And can ARC bring anything to the future of the party?
Will Starmer cave in to calls for a Gaza ceasefire?
October 27, 2023 14:25 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBKeir Starmer is under mounting pressure from his party to back a call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The week began with the Labour leader correcting comments he made on LBC that Israel had a right to defend itself. But now, politicians to the left of his party are campaigning for a ceasefire. Is this something Starmer can support? Also on the podcast, James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about more 'pestminster' scandals and Liz Truss on AI and China.
Can Starmer change the subject?
October 26, 2023 17:34 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBKeir Starmer has had a difficult week, trying to keep his party on message over the war in Israel and Gaza. The official position is that Israel has a right to respond to Hamas’s attacks on 7 October, but a number of Labour MPs are now calling for a ceasefire. Could Starmer have better handled the situation? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and John McTernan.
Keir Starmer’s Israel problem is growing
October 25, 2023 16:08 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBToday, Keir Starmer held a long meeting with some Muslim Labour MPs over their concern on his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, first ignited by comments he made on LBC which seemed to justify Israel's electricity and water blockade of Gaza. The Labour leader has made huge progress to move his party on from the reputation of anti-Semitism forged during the Corbyn era – but can he find a middle way to please all wings of his party on this deeply emotive issue? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls ...
Labour's foreign policy problem
October 24, 2023 16:15 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBNatasha Feroze speaks to Stephen Bush and Katy Balls about some of the geopolitical problems that lie ahead for Labour. Will David Lammy have to roll back on his views on Trump? Will Keir Starmer appeal to his muslim voter base whilst taking the standard Biden line on Israel/ Palestine? What about the Indian general election in November?
One year on: does Sunak have anything to celebrate?
October 23, 2023 11:23 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBThis week marks one year since Rishi Sunak entered No.10. Faced with the weekend's double by-election defeat, Labour's lead in the polls and another by-election coming soon, what can Rishi Sunak still do to turn things around? Natasha Feroze speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday roundup - 22/10/2023
October 23, 2023 10:35 - 15 minutes - 14 MBIsabel Hardman presents highlights from this week's political shows. Some aid has been allowed into Gaza, but the situation is still dire. We hear from immigration minister Robert Jenrick on what the UK is doing to help. Naftali Bennett says Israel are not responsible for Gaza, Hanan Ashrawi gives us the Palestinian point of view, and Labour clarifies their own position. Plus the Tory slide continues as they lose another two seats in the by-elections.
What can we hope to learn from the Covid inquiry?
October 21, 2023 06:00 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBThis week there have been some interesting developments in the public Covid-19 inquiry where scientists and mathematical modellers have been giving testimony on how prepared the government was to tackle the pandemic and how they used expert advise. Within the sessions, WhatsApp messages revealed that Dame Angela McLean – who at the time was chief scientific advisor to Ministry of Defence – sent a secret message referring to Rishi Sunak as 'Dr Death the chancellor' in reference to the publi...
Are the Tories facing a 97’ style defeat?
October 20, 2023 08:26 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBLabour has overturned the Tamworth and and Mid Bedfordshire by-election results, overturning the biggest majority in by-election history. Is there anymore road for Rishi Sunak? Isabel Hardman speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale.
Sunak tells Israel: ‘We want you to win’
October 19, 2023 16:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBToday Rishi Sunak joined Benjamin Netanyahu for a joint press conference in which he pledged support to Israel. Netanyahu thanked him for his, ‘strong statement of support’ and grounded Israel’s fight in the context of Britain’s own history. ‘You fought the Nazis 80 years ago,’ he said, ‘Hamas are the new Nazis'. Also on the podcast, the polls have opened for by elections in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire. What should we expect? Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale. Produ...
Has inflation stuck?
October 18, 2023 15:17 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBSeptember's inflation data was released today, and showed that it was at the same level as August. Is inflation getting stuck a problem? Cindy Yu talks to Kate Andrews and Katy Balls. Also on the podcast: Labour's Israel headaches and a look ahead to tomorrow's by-elections. Produced by Cindy Yu.
Has Humza Yousaf turned things around?
October 17, 2023 17:19 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBAt his first speech as SNP leader at the party's conference, Humza Yousaf gave a policy-filled address. He hasn't had an easy start to his leadership, but can he turn things around? Katy Balls talks to Lucy Dunn and Iain Macwhirter. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Cindy Yu.
How long can the cross-party consensus on Israel hold?
October 17, 2023 16:16 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBSo far, both major parties in the UK have aligned on their approach to the Israel-Gaza conflict, but can the Labour party really hold their position, considering how much of the party's grassroots support come from Muslim backgrounds? James Heale talks to Katy Balls and Conservative Home's editor, Paul Goodman. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Cindy Yu.
What does the government mean by 'Texas-style justice'?
October 16, 2023 11:32 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBJustice Secretary Alex Chalk has been talking about bringing 'Texas-style justice' to the UK in his latest proposals for reform of the prisons system. What does it really mean? James Heale talks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Cindy Yu.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 15/10/23
October 15, 2023 21:10 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBIsabel Hardman presents highlights from today's political shows. This week it's all about the Israel-Palestine conflict. An Israeli government adviser says Israel is following international law, but the Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK refutes this, and describes horror and carnage in Gaza. James Cleverly says the UK stands with Israel, but both he and his Labour counterpart urge restraint. And the First Minister of Scotland fears for family members trapped in Gaza.
What is Israel's army capable of?
October 14, 2023 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBJames Heale speaks to foreign policy expert Sophia Gaston and defence correspondent Sean Rayment about what could be Israel's next steps, the strength of their military and how much political backing they have worldwide.
The winners and losers of this year’s conference season
October 13, 2023 15:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBConference season is over, so we thought that we’d run through this year’s winners and losers. Did Rishi Sunak manage to present himself as the Action Man who can end the ‘thirty year consensus’ in British politics? Did Keir Starmer finally answer the question: if not them, why us? Did anyone surprise us? Or was it all for nothing, as new YouGov polling might suggest. Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Why did Lisa Cameron defect to the Tories?
October 12, 2023 17:03 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBLisa Cameron MP has quit the SNP to join the Conservative party, just days before the SNP holds its party conference in Aberdeen. What does this say about the state of the Scottish National Party under Humza Yousaf? James Heale talks to Isabel Hardman and Lucy Dunn. Produced by Max Jeffery and Cindy Yu.
Can Labour really overhaul the NHS?
October 11, 2023 17:23 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBWes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said in a speech today that this NHS must ‘modernise or die’. But will a Labour government under Keir Starmer have the cash to really reform? Max Jeffery speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman.
If not the Tories, why Labour?
October 10, 2023 16:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBKeir Starmer's leadership speech today in Liverpool didn't get off to the best start after a protestor ran onto the stage and dumped glitter all over him. But after dusting himself down and rolling up his sleeves, the leader of the opposition set about addressing the question that many prospective voters have wanted answering: If not them, why us? He made big promises on the NHS and pledged to 'bulldoze through' the obstacles to growth caused by the planning system, including with a new gen...
Rachel Reeves goes for growth
October 09, 2023 15:32 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBIt was Rachel Reeves's moment on day two of Labour party conference. Addressing the hall she detailed her ambitious plans for growth and vowed to stick to 'iron-clad fiscal rules' if in power. She also received a surprise endorsement from former governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney. Once branded 'boring snoring' by a BBC editor, Reeves doesn't look boring anymore. Will she be the first female chancellor of the exchequer? Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman.
How's the mood at Labour conference?
October 08, 2023 18:00 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBIt's the first day of Labour party conference and whilst the mood is buoyant the story that has dominated the weekend is of course the Hamas attack on Israel. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has refused to condemn the attack, will he be a thorn in Keir Starmer's side this week? And will Starmer finally be able to answer the question: If not the Tories, why us? Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale.
Is Rishi Sunak right about Rwanda?
October 08, 2023 09:25 - 1 hour - 65.6 MBCindy Yu is joined by immigration minister Robert Jenrick, Fraser Nelson and Kate Andrews to discuss the Rwanda plan and whether it can truly stop the boats.
Has Brexit Failed?
October 07, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBSeven years after the Brexit vote, Katy Balls is joined for a fringe panel from the Conservative Party Conference to discuss if voting to leave the EU was worth it, where the wins are and if opportunities are being missed. Katy Balls in conversation with John Redwood MP, Theresa Villiers MP, Camilla Cavendish, Charles Grant and Vote Leave founder Matthew Elliott.
Scottish Labour moves right – and wins
October 06, 2023 08:53 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBLabour has secured a resounding win against the SNP in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election with a swing of 20.4%. Fraser Nelson speaks to Katy Balls and Iain Macwhirter about whether this the end of the Scotland hegemony of the SNP, and if Labour have drifted closer to the right.
What's behind the PM's plan to axe A-levels?
October 05, 2023 12:39 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBOne of the announcements made in Rishi Sunak's conference speech was to scrap A-levels in favour of a qualification which includes compulsory English and Maths. With several problems in the education system, and years of disruption for students, what was behind the PM's decision to radically overhaul the system? James Heale speaks to Fraser Nelson and David Laws, former education minister who now chairs the Education Policy Institute.