Coffee House Shots

The Spectator

4.4 (1.9K)
DAILY NEWS
UPDATED DAILY

Instant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Katy Balls, Isabel Hardman, James Heale, Cindy Yu and many others.

10 HR AGO

Have Labour got a grip of the prisons crisis?

Labour are planning to publish a 10-year plan to get on the front foot when it comes to the prisons crisis. Shifting from the previous government’s preference to run the system hot to a policy of early release and carving out more places, the headline figure is that there will be 14,000 more prison places by 2031. But the fear today is that these won’t be enough to tackle the critical lack of space in UK jails. So, will Labour’s ongoing sentencing review advocate for greater leniency for certain offenders? And will the public see that as justice being served? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Danny Shaw, former adviser to Yvette Cooper. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

13 min
1 DAY AGO

Spending review: a return to austerity?

Preparations are stepping up for the government’s spending review, due in June. The Chancellor has taken a more personable approach to communicating with ministers, writing to them to outline how they plan to implement the Budget – with a crackdown on government waste and prioritising key public services. So, expect money for clean energy, the NHS, and more ‘difficult decisions’. Will Rachel Reeves’s war on waste work? How will this all go down within the Labour Party and the Cabinet? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

13 min
2 DAYS AGO

How does the Syrian conflict affect Britain?

Following news that President Bashar Al-Assad's regime in Syria has fallen, Natasha Feroze discusses what comes next with James Heale and Michael Stephens, senior associate fellow at RUSI. What does the Syrian conflict mean for Britain? Do we need to reconsider our counter-terrorism policy? And how will Britain's historic relationship with Syria shape our path going forward?

12 min
3 DAYS AGO

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 08/12/2024

The Assad regime has fallen. We hear from deputy prime minister Angela Rayner on Syria, and her plans to build 1.5 million homes. We get the Conservative view on Labour's plans, and Climate Change Committee CEO Emma Pincheck warns the country must prepare for increasingly extreme weather.

11 min
4 DAYS AGO

Are the SNP exploiting Labour woes?

The SNP presented their budget this week in Holyrood with the news that all pensioners would receive a winter fuel allowance and a pledge to scrap the two-child benefit cap. Questions remain about how they will make this budget work financially, but it is clear that they have one eye on the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. How could this impact Labour north, and south, of the border? And, after a torrid year for the SNP, can First Minister John Swinney turn things around? Iain MacWhirter and Lucy Dunn join James Heale to discuss. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

13 min
5 DAYS AGO

‘If anything we went too late’: exclusive interview with Sunak’s chief of staff

In this special edition of Coffee House Shots Katy Balls speaks to Lord Liam Booth-Smith, Rishi Sunak’s former chief of staff. In his first interview since leaving government: Liam takes us inside Rishi’s No. 10 and the characters that made it tick; sets the record straight on the infamous Sunak–Johnson arm wrestle to decide who would run for leader after Truss; gives his take on when would have been the optimal time to have a general election; offers a different version of events on Rishi’s ‘doomed’ campaign; and provides advice to a Labour government struggling in government. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.

46 min
6 DAYS AGO

Is immigration not a priority for Labour?

There is a feeling of deja-vu in Westminster today as Keir Starmer unveiled his plan for change and six 'milestones' (not pledges) to turn the country around. They are: raising living standards in every part of the UK; rebuilding Britain with 1.5 million homes and fast-tracking planning decisions on major infrastructure projects; ending hospital backlogs and meeting the standard of 92 per cent of patients being treated within 18 weeks; putting police back on the beat; giving children the best start in life; and securing homegrown energy and putting the UK on track to 95 per cent clean power by 2030. The problem with setting out any list of priorities is that others are conspicuous by their absence, namely immigration. This looks especially naive on the day when one national poll put Reform second place and ahead of Labour. Has Keir got his priorities straight? James Heale speaks to Michael Gove and Katy Balls. Produced Oscar Edmondson.

12 min
4 DEC

Spectator Awards: Nigel Farage promises a 'political revolution'

Last night was The Spectator’s Parliamentarian of the Year Awards. Politicians of every stripe were in attendance, with Wes Streeting, Robert Jenrick and Stephen Flynn among those present. There were a number of notable speeches – including a fiery opening monologue from the Health Secretary – but none caused as much of a stir as Nigel Farage’s acceptance speech for Newcomer of the Year. He warned of a ‘political revolution the likes of which we’ve not seen since Labour after the First World War’. How did that go down in the room? Also on the podcast, at PMQs today Kemi Badenoch and Keir Starmer seemed to have settled into a rhythm. Has the Wednesday ding dong become stale and predictable? Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Cindy Yu.

12 min

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4.4

out of 5

1,940 Ratings

Interesting and entertaining

16 Oct

totterdown-res

Can we please have more of Michael Gove doing accents , really brightens my day .
Good insider chat

3 days ago

Senor Flores

Fine journalists with proper contacts. Step forward Katy B and James H both excellent broadcasters with a twinkle in their voice. Sadly, Gove will be all for digital IDs where Fraser was adamantly opposed. Thus it could all go horribly wrong. We shall see.
Great show but why John McTiernan?

10 Nov

AJT1965

Always an interesting show but McTiernan does nothing but back Labour. It’s pointless having him on unless you want to redwash whatever is being discussed. Budget - all fine. Farmers - all lovely. Free Gear Farmer Harmer Starmer - great man. Honest. Hard working. Diligent. Murdering 4000 OAPs. Oh, triple lock. Rich pensioners. Blah, blah, blah. At least own up to the fact he would defend Labour whatever they do.
More Gove please

7 Nov

BizzoH

I had stopped listening to this podcast as it seemed to have veered to the left. I think the inclusion of Michael Gove has served to add balance and rein in the constant criticism of the tories.

Instant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Katy Balls, Isabel Hardman, James Heale, Cindy Yu and many others.