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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.

1 DAY AGO

Year in Review 2024 with Michael Gove, Quentin Letts and Katy Balls

It’s been a historic year in British politics. At the start of 2024, the UK had a different Prime Minister, the Tories had a different leader, and The Spectator had a different editor! Michael Gove, Katy Balls, and Quentin Letts join Cindy Yu to review the biggest political stories of 2024. On the podcast, the panel discuss the rise of Reform UK and Nigel Farage as a political force, Labour’s adjustment to government, and Michael reveals his reaction to Rishi telling Cabinet that he was going for a summer election. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Megan McElroy.

28 min
1 DAY AGO

Is Mandelson the right pick for US Ambassador?

Last night we got the news that Peter Mandelson is expected to be named the next UK ambassador to Washington. Despite months of speculation, Labour held firm on making a decision until the results of the US election, and with Trump entering the White House in the new year they have gone with an experienced diplomat and a political appointment. A government source is quoted as telling the BBC: ‘The fact the Prime Minister has chosen to make a political appointment and sent Lord Mandelson to Washington shows just how importantly we see our relationship with the Trump administration.’ They cited the former Business Secretary’s ‘unrivalled political and policy experience’ and claimed he was ‘the ideal candidate to represent the UK’s economic and security interests.’ Were they right to go for an overtly political appointment? And, as a committed Sinophile, should we expect a backlash from Labour’s China hawks? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Michael Gove. Produced by Megan McElroy and Oscar Edmondson.

14 min
2 DAYS AGO

UK interest rates held, plus could Musk fund reform?

The Bank of England have voted to hold UK interest rates at 4.75%. The Spectator's economics editor Kate Andrews joins Katy Balls and Freddy Gray to discuss the decision and what this means for the UK economy. Also on the podcast they discuss how a potential donation from Elon Musk to Reform UK has rattled politicians across the political spectrum. Could Labour seek to reform political donation rules to limit donations from foreign owned companies? And is this a sensible move, or could those in favour of changing the rules face a charge of hypocrisy? Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.

9 min
3 DAYS AGO

Rising inflation will make Rachel Reeves's job harder

New figures have shown that, for the year to November, inflation rose by 2.6%. While unsurprising, how much will this impact the Chancellor's plans going into the new year? Katy Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and Isabel Hardman about the impact on Labour, especially given their October budget. Also on the podcast: do the WASPI women deserve compensation? The team discuss Liz Kendall's announcement that Labour will not recompense women who faced pension changes; they also discuss the last PMQs of 2024. Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.

12 min
4 DAYS AGO

Chinese spy named, plus Farage meets Musk

After days of speculation online, the alleged Chinese spy has been named as Yang Tegbo. This latest example of Chinese espionage has opened up a number of debates in Westminster, firstly around Labour's push to ‘reset’ its relationship with China, as well as the conversation around the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme – a number of China hawks such as IDS and Tom Tugendhat are pushing for it to be implemented sooner than summer 2025. Can Labour's China policy survive this latest wave of Sino-scepticism? Also on the podcast, it’s happened: Nigel Farage has met with Elon Musk to discuss his party’s electoral prospects. What’s the readout from their meeting? Katy Balls speaks to Cindy Yu and James Heale. Produced by Cindy Yu and Oscar Edmondson.

11 min
6 DAYS AGO

Could the local elections be cancelled?

Labour will reveal plans today to re-design local government, with district councils set to be abolished, and more elected mayors introduced across England. The plans could be the biggest reforms of their type since the 1970s, but with the May 2025 local elections set to be Labour’s first big electoral test since the general election, how will they be impacted? Local government minister Jim McMahon didn’t deny that the elections could be affected, or some even cancelled. Reform UK have called foul – what’s going on? James Heale speaks to Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls. Also on the podcast: rumours abound that a Chinese spy could be named in Parliament today – what does this story tell us about the UK’s complicated relationship with China? And a new poll from Ipsos holds more bad news for Keir Starmer. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

13 min
6 DAYS AGO

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 15/12/2024

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows. In the final Sunday roundup of the year, we hear about immigration and Chinese espionage through the views of Yvette Cooper, Angela Eagle, Kemi Badenoch and Andy Burnham. Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.

16 min
14 DEC

Would Brexit voters really accept the return of freedom of movement?

New research this week suggested that a majority of Brexit voters would accept the return of freedom of movement in exchange for access to the EU single market. The poll, conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), found that 54% of Brexit voters – and 68% of all respondents – would accept this. Facing their own changing domestic concerns, how close can the UK and EU governments really get? Could Defence hold the key for collaboration? And how much is this driven by a more volatile geopolitical landscape ahead of Trump’s return as US president? James Heale speaks to Anand Menon, director of the think-tank UK in a Changing Europe, and Mark Leonard, director at the ECFR. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

18 min

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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.