Coffee House Shots
2,077 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 11 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
Who will take Nadine Dorries’s seat?
August 29, 2023 15:30 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBNadine Dorries’s seat in Mid Bedfordshire has a majority of 25,000. With the Boris Johnson ally now leaving Parliament, the seat is set to be a three-way race between the Tories, Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Who stands the best chance of challenging the Conservatives? Also on the podcast: Suella Braverman has instructed police to ‘investigate every crime’. Will it improve the public’s faith in the force? James Heale speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.
Does Nadine Dorries have a point?
August 28, 2023 16:15 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBNadine Dorries resigned from Parliament over the weekend, writing in a letter to Rishi Sunak that the Conservatives have been ‘corrupted’, and accusing the Prime Minister of ‘opening the gates to whip up a public frenzy against one of his own MPs’. Is Dorries, at least in part, right? James Heale speaks to Fraser Nelson and Kate Andrews.
The problem with the Tories’ ‘local heroes’
August 26, 2023 14:10 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBAre the Tories right to pick local candidates, over Westminster favourites, to be their next generation of MPs? Cindy Yu speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Heale.
Why is Rishi delaying his reshuffle?
August 24, 2023 16:48 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBRishi Sunak is reportedly going to delay a planned major reshuffle. A Cabinet switch-up was expected next month, but it now seems that only ministers like Ben Wallace, who has already indicated that he wants to step down, will be moved from their posts. What changed the Prime Minister's mind? Max Jeffery speaks to James Heale and Craig Oliver, former director of communications in No. 10. Produced by Max Jeffery.
Would Starmer’s government have any cash to spend?
August 22, 2023 12:58 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBIf Labour wins the next election, will Keir Starmer have any money to spend on his programme of government? In a piece for the Times yesterday, journalist Philip Collins says it won't, and he thinks Labour is suffering because of this constraint. How can Labour be intellectually interesting if the government purse strings are so tight? Fraser Nelson disagrees. He says that, thanks to the Tories taking tax levels to record highs, Starmer will have plenty of cash to work with. Kate Andrews sp...
Should Rishi host MBS?
August 19, 2023 09:00 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBDowning Street has extended an invite to Mohammed bin Salman to visit the UK in Autumn. Five years after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, is it time to let Saudi Arabia in from the cold? Fraser Nelson speaks to Simon Mayall, a former Middle East adviser in the Ministry of Defence, and to Jawad Iqbal, a Spectator contributor.
Results day: is the worst of the pandemic over for students?
August 17, 2023 13:26 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBAs A-level students receive their exam results, Cindy Yu speaks to Isabel Hardman and Mary Curnock Cook who is the former chief executive of UCAS. In a bid to curb recent grade inflation, fewer of the top results have been handed out to students who were the first year group to sit through pandemic style examinations. Can the government return to 2019 levels this summer? Produced by Cindy Yu and Natasha Feroze.
Will Rishi hit his inflation target?
August 16, 2023 11:30 - 5 minutes - 4.65 MBToday we had the – seemingly – good news that the headline rate of inflation for July has come down to 6.8%. This is in line with Bank of England targets which suggest that Rishi could be set to meet his pledge to halve inflation. Is this cause for celebration in Number 10? Or should we be wary? Cindy Yu speaks to Michael Simmons, The Spectator's data editor. Produced by Cindy Yu and Oscar Edmondson. Check out The Spectator's data hub: https://data.spectator.co.uk/
Public sector pay pushes wage growth to record high
August 15, 2023 14:08 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBNatasha Feroze speaks to Fraser Nelson and Isabel Hardman about today's wage growth figures which have reached a 22-year high due to public sector pay. Are these an accurate reflection of the economy? Also on the podcast, Isabel Hardman takes a look at NHS week – each day the government has announced new measures to improve the National Health Service. Is a 'quit smoking' campaign really want the system needs?
Blair is back
August 12, 2023 06:00 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBIt’s been 16 years since Tony Blair walked away from frontline politics, but rather than retiring to Fife to write his books – like another Labour leader – he has managed to build his Tony Blair Institute for Global Change into one of the most sophisticated and influential think tanks in modern politics. What role could he play under a Starmer government? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and John McTernan, former political advisor to Tony Blair. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
What is the point of Lee Anderson?
August 11, 2023 12:36 - 14 minutes - 13 MBKaty Balls and editor of Conservative Home Paul Goodman join Natasha Feroze to discuss the troublemaker Lee Anderson. This week, his inflammatory comments on small boats dominated the news – is this good or bad for the Conservatives? And what role does Rishi Sunak have in mind for the former miner and deputy Chairman of the party? Produced by Natasha Feroze.
Tories split over stopping the boats
August 09, 2023 14:30 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBThis morning the UK’s electoral watchdog The Electoral Commission said that it had been the victim of a 'complex cyber attack' by 'hostile actors'. What do we know about the attack? The cyberattack has been a distraction from what was meant to be the government's small boats week. We've had migrants refusing to board the Bibby Stockholm barge, Lee Anderson's comments splitting the party, the Home Office floating the idea of a holding centre on the Ascension Island and a new deal with Turke...
Should Team Truss accept resignation honours?
August 07, 2023 15:51 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBBibby Stockholm, the government's first migrant barge opened this morning. Intended to house up to 500 migrants, will this plan to cut the costs of putting migrants up in hotels work? Also on the podcast, Natasha Feroze speaks to Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls about the Liz Truss honours list – who are the contenders? And who may politely decline a new title...
Do chess players make for better politicians?
August 05, 2023 09:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBRishi Sunak is apparently looking to expand the teaching of chess in schools, and to install chess sets in public parks, and will unveil the policy alongside a giant chessboard in the No. 10 garden. What is the Prime Minister thinking? And what does it say about Sunak’s idea of education? Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, a former special adviser and Westminster chess hustler.
If Rishi halves inflation, will you feel richer?
August 04, 2023 11:07 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBRishi Sunak is likely to hit his target of halving inflation by the end of the year, according to the latest Bank of England forecasts. But is that enough to make people feel better off, and will the Tories reap any political benefits for doing it? Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and Michael Simmons. Produced by Cindy Yu and Max Jeffery.
Can Labour take back Rutherglen and Hamilton West?
August 02, 2023 14:59 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBA by-election is on the cards for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, after former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier was recalled by her constituents. She'd flouted lockdown rules in 2020, taking a train from London to Scotland despite testing positive for Covid. Given that Labour will need to make gains in Scotland in order to win the next election, this by-election has become a bellwether for the party. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and Lucy Dunn about what to expect. Produced by Cindy Yu.
What’s behind the Tory selections?
August 01, 2023 11:28 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBAs the Conservative candidate selections are underway, how will the associations balance the need for a local champion to win back constituency support vs Tory stars, such as Nick Timothy, getting selected? Paul Goodman from Conservative Home and Katy Balls speak to Natasha Feroze.
Should the Tories abandon green politics?
July 29, 2023 09:53 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBSince the Tories retained Uxbridge in the by-election a fortnight ago by campaigning against Ulez, some Conservative MPs have been questioning whether the party should ditch their climate commitments. Was Uxbridge a one-off? What do British people want? Natasha Feroze speaks to Katy Balls and Scarlett Maguire, director at polling firm JL Partners.
Sadiq’s Ulez expansion gets the green light
July 28, 2023 13:53 - 9 minutes - 8.29 MBThe High Court has ruled that Sadiq Khan can expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone, after five Tory councils challenged the proposed policy. Will Keir Starmer be happy that a Labour mayor has won the day? Natasha Feroze speaks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews.
NatWest boss Alison Rose resigns. Why now?
July 26, 2023 15:10 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBNatasha Feroze speaks to Kate Andrews and Fraser Nelson about the sudden decision for the NatWest boss Alison Rose to hand in her resignation. Prompted by the Nigel Farage Coutts bank account scandal, the bank's CEO faced mounting pressure to resign after late last night No.10 said they had serious concerns over the bank's actions. But why does the government play a role in this decision? And will there be more resignations to come?
Is Labour disunity a problem for Starmer?
July 24, 2023 11:31 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBKaty Balls and Fraser Nelson speak to James Heale about Labour rows over issues such as ULEZ and the child benefits cap. Whilst not in government yet, is this something Keir Starmer will need to get a grip on in order to become the next Prime Minister? Produced by Natasha Feroze.
What can we learn from the Uxbridge by-election result?
July 22, 2023 06:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBThe dust has settled after yesterday's by-election results. Having narrowly avoided a triple by-election defeat there seems to be little sign of Conservative party in-fighting, despite their poor showing. There is however a war of words brewing between the London Labour Party and Kier Starmer who blames Sadiq Khan's Ulez plan for the failure to snatch Uxbridge and South Ruislip. What lessons will each party take from the by-elections into next year's general election? James Heale speaks...
Sunak narrowly avoids triple by-election defeat
July 21, 2023 07:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBThere was something for everyone in the by-elections with each of the three big parties getting a seat. The Tories lost Somerton and Frome to the Lib Dems and Selby and Ainsty to Labour but did narrowly cling on in Boris Johnson’s former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, albeit with a reduced majority of just 495 votes. James Heale unpacks the results with Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Who is Susan Hall?
July 19, 2023 16:22 - 10 minutes - 9.94 MBKaty Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and James Heale about today's inflation figures and the latest news about the Conservative Mayoral candidate for London – Susan Hall.
Has Starmer become the villain?
July 18, 2023 14:52 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBKaty Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and former Labour advisor John McTernan to discuss the ongoing Labour row over the child benefits limit. Reactions were muted during today's shadow cabinet meeting, but is this a reflection of a looming reshuffle? Produced by Natasha Feroze.
Labour row brews over two-child benefit cap
July 17, 2023 12:43 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBKeir Starmer has said that Labour will not be reversing the two-child benefits cap, after Angela Rayner said it was ‘obscene and inhumane’. But will he continue to back the policy, which allegedly saves the Treasury £1.3 billion, or change his mind in the face of pressure from his shadow front bench? James Heale speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls. Produced by Max Jeffery.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 16/07/23
July 16, 2023 18:56 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBKeir Starmer sets out his vision and is grilled on specifics. He claims Labour's green plans have not been delayed. Business Secretary and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch talks about the new trans-pacific trade deal, and forthcoming guidance on trans pupils in schools. And Tony Blair says technology is the answer to the country's problems in healthcare and the economy.
How do we fix Britain's stagnant economy?
July 15, 2023 06:00 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBAdvanced economies are not seeing the economic growth that they once did, and none more so than the UK where there has been little productivity or real wage growth since 2008. What factors have contributed to this? Which industries will be at the forefront as we chart a path towards a high-growth British future? Kate Andrews speaks to American economist Tyler Cowen, at Civic Future's Great Stagnation Summit in Cambridge. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Will Sunak lose three by-elections in a day?
July 14, 2023 16:56 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBThe Tories are defending three seats next week, and could lose them all. Boris Johnson's old seat, Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Nigel Adams's old seat, Selby and Ainsty, and David Warburton's old seat, Somerton and Frome, are all being contested. How are the Tories trying to win back voters? And is it wise of Rishi Sunak to, as is rumoured he's going to, do a reshuffle straight after the results come in? Max Jeffery speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Max Jeffery.
Is the public sector pay offer all it seems?
July 13, 2023 12:50 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBIt looks like the summer could be about to get a whole lot easier after the government announced that millions of public sector workers will get a pay rise between 5 and 7 per cent. In a press conference this afternoon, Rishi said this was the governments 'final offer' and the result of consultation independent pay review bodies. So far, the four teachers unions have announced that they will put the offer to their members, but will the junior doctors follow suit? How are the government plann...
Illegal Migration Bill survives mammoth voting session
July 12, 2023 16:30 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBTory whips will be smiling today after a mammoth three and a half hour voting session on amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill last night. All the amendments put down by the House of Lords were defeated by the government across 18 divisions. Are Rishi's hopes of stopping the boats still alive? Where do Labour stand on the bill? James Heale speaks to Stephen Bush and Katy Balls. Produced by Natasha Feroze and Oscar Edmondson.
What does Starmer's Labour stand for?
July 11, 2023 12:00 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBIt has been a mixed start to the week for Labour. Rachel Reeves has been criticised for 'following the same tram lines' as the Tories on spending. Meanwhile, Starmer has been boosted by the decision taken by Unite – one of the UK’s biggest unions – to retain close ties with the Labour Party. Do they have a raft of transformative policies that will deliver change? Is the relationship between Labour and the unions as rosy as the Unite vote suggests? Also today, the Nato summit in Vilnius ...
Are Biden and Sunak really 'rock solid'?
July 10, 2023 16:41 - 9 minutes - 8.77 MBJoe Biden was in London today to meet with Rishi Sunak. The pair had discussions in No. 10, and Biden described US-UK relations as ‘rock solid’. But the pair have recently had disagreements about who the next Nato secretary general should be, and about whether the West should send cluster munitions to Ukraine – so is the relationship really so rosy? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Freddy Gray. Produced by Max Jeffery.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 09/07/23
July 09, 2023 18:13 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBAllegations involving the sexual misconduct of a BBC presenter. The US agrees to supply cluster bombs to Ukraine. The Conservative view on UK debt and tax cuts. Labour's plans for housing. And John Kerry speaks about the need for cooperation on climate policy.
Humza Yousaf's first 100 days
July 08, 2023 09:00 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBJames Heale speaks to John Ferry and Iain Macwhirter about Humza Yousaf's first 100 days in Holyrood. Plagued by Sturgeon's arrest, does the Scottish First Minister's future look bright?
Was booting Boris a mistake?
July 07, 2023 12:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBIt is one year since Boris Johnson announced his resignation as prime minister. That day, Labour held an 11 point lead in the polls but new YouGov polling today indicates that gap has widened to 25 points. Is there any hope the Tories can turn it around? What if Boris had stayed? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Natasha Feroze and Oscar Edmondson.
Chris Pincher’s suspension spells more trouble for Rishi Sunak
July 06, 2023 12:47 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBA year on from allegations that Chris Pincher groped two young men at the Carlton Club (allegations that ultimately triggered the downfall of Boris Johnson), Parliament's standards watchdog has now found that Pincher brought the House into disrepute and recommended an eight-week suspension. On the podcast, Isabel Hardman says that this makes a by-election in his constituency of Tamworth a question of when, not if. But even worse for the Conservative party, their newly-selected candidate in t...
Did the NHS need a service at Westminster Abbey?
July 05, 2023 14:47 - 14 minutes - 13 MBThe NHS marks its 75th anniversary today, and in Westminster, both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer attended a service at Westminster Abbey in honour of the organisation. James Heale talks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews about why there was a church service for the NHS and whether Rishi Sunak's time would have been better spent at Prime Minister's Questions. Produced by Cindy Yu.
Rishi Sunak’s Tory approval ratings turn negative
July 04, 2023 12:04 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBRishi Sunak’s personal approval rating among Tory members has turned negative for the first time in his premiership. Why is the Prime Minister becoming more unpopular in his party? Should he be worried about internal dissent? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews. Produced by Max Jeffery.
Who are the New Conservatives?
July 03, 2023 11:42 - 10 minutes - 9.65 MBA group of 25 Tory MPs, calling themselves the New Conservatives, have launched a plan that they say will cut net migration from 606,000, last year's figure, to 226,000, the figure in 2019. Temporary visa schemes for care workers should be shut, the 'skilled work' salary threshold raised, and the number of refugees accepted into the UK capped. Who is in the group, and what do they want? James Heale speaks to Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls. Produced by Max Jeffery.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 02/07/23
July 02, 2023 18:55 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBThe government unveils its plans for the future of the NHS. But its progress on the healthcare problems of today is called into question. Can the NHS withstand the pressure that today's society places on it? How would Labour deal with teacher union negotiations? And do public sector pay rises cause inflation? Plus, an interview with the first woman to be sent on a mission around the moon.
Why is the NHS in such a bad way?
July 01, 2023 10:54 - 27 minutes - 25 MBNext week is the NHS's 75th birthday. Why is the health service in such a poor state? Are the Tories selling it off? And is there any hope for its future? Max Jeffery speaks to Kate Andrews and Isabel Hardman.
Does Zac Goldsmith's resignation matter?
June 30, 2023 11:55 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBZac Goldsmith has resigned as a minister, and says he quit because Rishi Sunak is 'simply uninterested' in the environment. It comes a day after Goldsmith was named by the Privileges Committee as one of 10 Tories who organised a campaign to undermine the Partygate inquiry. How much will Goldsmith’s resignation hurt the government? James Heale speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls. Produced by Max Jeffery.
Is Rishi's Rwanda plan dead?
June 29, 2023 16:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBIt never rains but it pours for Rishi Sunak, as the Court of Appeal has today ruled against his Rwanda plan, raising concerns about the safety of asylum seekers. It now looks as though Rishi could be set to fail in all five of his pledges. Is the prime minister heading for embarrassment? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Heale. Produced by Cindy Yu and Oscar Edmondson.
Korski drops out after groping claims. Now what?
June 28, 2023 16:43 - 10 minutes - 10 MBDaniel Korski, the former David Cameron aide who was standing to be the Conservative candidate for London mayor, has dropped out of the race after a woman claimed he groped her in a meeting in 2013. Korski had won the support of a number of high-profile Tory MPs, and was seen as the likely candidate to face Sadiq Khan in next year's mayoral election. With only two people left in the race, will the Conservatives reopen nominations? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. Produc...
What happened at Hancock’s Covid grilling?
June 27, 2023 16:27 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBMatt Hancock gave evidence at the Covid inquiry today. The former health secretary said that ‘the doctrine was wrong’, care home preparation was ‘terrible’ and improper planning was an ‘absolute tragedy’. But why was it accepted that harsher lockdowns would’ve helped? Max Jeffery speaks to Isabel Oakeshott and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Max Jeffery.
Is the economy wearing Rishi Sunak down?
June 26, 2023 13:26 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MBAs mortgage rates surge and a new Opinium poll finds Labour’s lead has jumped to 18 points, Rishi Sunak appeared on Laura Kuenssberg’s BBC show to insist that his plan is the right one. But was his slightly cranky reaction to some of the questions a reflection of how the party is really feeling about its future? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Natasha Feroze.
The Wagner coup: what we know so far
June 24, 2023 16:49 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBFraser Nelson is joined by Svitlana Morenets and Mark Galeotti as Vladimir Putin faces an armed insurrection from the Wagner mercenary group – what could happen next?
The case for capitalism
June 24, 2023 09:00 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBKate Andrews is joined by Fraser Nelson and Johan Norberg, author of The Capitalist Manifesto: why the global free market will save the world. On the podcast Johan talks about its why lockdown societies never worked; whether he finds the word capitalism useful and his endless optimism for a better future.
Do Brits regret Brexit?
June 23, 2023 12:19 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBToday is the seven years' anniversary of the Brexit referendum, and new polls find that a majority of Brits would prefer a closer relationship with the EU, or rejoining the European Union altogether. Can Labour capitalise on this? Cindy Yu talks to James Heale and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Cindy Yu.