Coffee House Shots

The Spectator
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Coffee House Shots

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

  1. Making sense of non-crime hate incidents

    3 HR AGO

    Making sense of non-crime hate incidents

    The government has announced a review into how to properly police non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs). This follows the experience of Allison Pearson who, on Remembrance Day morning, was doorstepped by Essex Police demanding an interview about a long-forgotten tweet. Reports of NCHIs have dramatically increased in the last year, with 13,200 recorded in the 12 months to June (around 36 a day). What qualifies as an NCHI and how can the police be expected to enforce them? Is this police overreach or a necessary measure to tackle the rise in instances of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia? Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Danny Shaw, former adviser to Yvette Cooper. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

    12 min
  2. Will Reeves's pensions shake-up really boost growth?

    1 DAY AGO

    Will Reeves's pensions shake-up really boost growth?

    The Chancellor is giving her first Mansion House address tonight, and she will be majoring on pensions, suggesting that public sector pension funds need to be expanded. But is this the road to growth? James Heale talks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews. Produced by Cindy Yu.

    13 min
  3. Labour vs Elon Musk

    2 DAYS AGO

    Labour vs Elon Musk

    As Trump announces the appointment of Elon Musk to tackle US government efficiency, James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and editor Michael Gove about the dynamics of Labour's relationship with the tech billionaire. Musk had a public spat with Labour figures over the UK summer riots, the Center for Countering Digital Hate - co-founded by Starmer's Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney - is facing a congressional investigation, and some Labour figures are even calling on the party to quit X/Twitter. Should Musk's closeness to president-elect Trump worry the Labour government? But first, the team discuss Health Secretary Wes Streeting's proposed NHS changes, and Liberal Democrat attacks on Labour's National Insurance employer increase. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

    13 min
  4. Justin Welby quits as Archbishop of Canterbury

    3 DAYS AGO

    Justin Welby quits as Archbishop of Canterbury

    Justin Welby has announced he is resigning as Archbishop of Canterbury over his handling of serial child abuser John Smyth. In a statement, he said ‘it is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024’. He says he believes stepping aside ‘is in the best interests of the Church of England’. Did he have to go? And who might replace him?  Also on the podcast, the assisted dying bill was published last night, 38 pages long, and will be debated in just under three weeks’ time. Keir Starmer admitted that he hasn't decided yet which way way he will vote, so is Kim leadbeater's bill enough to sway the floating voters?  Katy Balls speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman.  Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Cindy Yu.

    13 min
  5. Will Trump push the UK closer to the EU?

    4 DAYS AGO

    Will Trump push the UK closer to the EU?

    Keir Starmer is in France today to hold talks with Emmanuel Macron where they will discuss the impact of a Trump second term, and what it will mean for Ukraine. The Prime Minister marked Armistice Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe – the first time since 1944 that a British Prime Minister has been in France for the ceremony. What will come from this bilateral meeting? How does a Trump victory bring the UK and the EU closer? Elsewhere, a minor row broke out over the weekend around the UK’s Remembrance Day commemorations, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage not being allowed to lay a wreath despite his party having five sitting MPs. Does he have a point? Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

    11 min
  6. Can Labour work with Trump?

    6 DAYS AGO

    Can Labour work with Trump?

    It’s happened. The scenario Labour politicians hoped would not come to pass is now a reality: Donald Trump is heading back to the White House. The official line from Labour is that everything is fine – they will work with whoever holds the office of president. However, privately there have long been nerves and concerns as to what a Trump comeback would mean for the Starmer government. Where are the fault lines likely to appear? And what does a second Trump term mean for foreign secretary David Lammy, considering his previous comments about the Donald? Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and John McTernan. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

    16 min
  7. How does Starmer solve a problem like Farage?

    8 NOV

    How does Starmer solve a problem like Farage?

    Nigel Farage could well be the big winner in the UK from Donald Trump’s victory across the pond, with the MP for Clacton having a direct line to the most powerful office in the West. But, as Katy Balls argues on Coffee House this morning, he poses a greater threat to Labour than simply his proximity to Donald Trump. Reform UK are beginning the process of building power bases across the UK – starting this weekend in Wales – and the party believes it can take voters from Labour. Meanwhile, the US election has proven the salience of the economy and immigration as election-deciding issues: areas where Reform UK cut through. How can Labour combat an insurgent Reform party? What lessons should Starmer take from the result in the US? Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Scarlett Maguire, director at JL Partners. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

    16 min
  8. US election: how did the polls get it so wrong?

    7 NOV

    US election: how did the polls get it so wrong?

    The post–mortem has begun on the US election with the Democrats desperately trying to figure out what just happened. To make sense of the result, Katy Balls is joined by Kate Andrews and James Kanagasooriam, chief research officer at Focaldata. On the podcast they discuss: how an election that seemed to be on a knife–edge ended in a landslide; how the Democrats misjudged the issues that matter to their core voter coalition; how global election trends and the ‘incumbency problem’ played a part; and how the term ‘asymmetric realignment’ can describe the voting patterns we saw yesterday. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

    19 min
See All (500)

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    The Spectator
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2024
  • Episodes
    500
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Coffee House Shots

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