Coffee House Shots The Spectator

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.

Division in the Labour Party as Keir Starmer belatedly approves Diane Abbott as a candidate, while others in Labour claim they were offered seats in the House of Lords to stand aside for different candidates. Meanwhile, Victoria Atkins talks up her Pharmacy First initiative, Yvette Cooper wants migration to come down (we're not sure by how much), Green co-leader Adrian Ramsay is asked about meat rationing, and Trump's lawyer thinks his trial is the work of a corrupt, fascist state.

Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.

The news that Donald Trump has been convicted of 34 felonies meant that the Labour leader faced questions about the former president on Friday morning, rather than the Diane Abbott selection storm. On his visit to Scotland, Starmer told the BBC that a Labour government would be willing to work with ‘whoever’ was elected in November’s presidential contest. But how would Starmer deal with Trump? 

James Heale speaks to Kate Andrews and Freddy Gray. 

Keir Starmer has began a purge of pre-existing candidates and MPs who risk frustrating their election campaign. There is an ongoing row about whether Diane Abbott, the former shadow home secretary, will be barred from standing. Angela Rayner has now weighed in saying she 'sees no reason why Diane Abbott can't stand for Labour'. Could this become a problem for Keir Starmer?

James Heale speaks to Fraser Nelson and Paul Goodman.

Produced by Natasha Feroze and Oscar Edmondson. 

Keir Starmer is now putting the final touches to this with a last minute purge of pre-existing candidates and MPs who risk frustrating their election campaign. There is an ongoing row about whether Diane Abbott, the former shadow home secretary, will be barred from standing, but who else might join her? 

Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale. 

Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

The drama in Westminster never seems to end. Last night the Times reported that the Labour party would not allow veteran MP Diane Abbott to represent the party at the upcoming general election. Abbott has reportedly been given the Labour whip back as a middle way, causing something of a backlash. Seeking to clarify the situation, Keir Starmer has today insisted that, 'no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbot' and that 'she is a member of the parliamentary Labour party.' What's going on? Will she be standing? 

James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and John McTernan, former political secretary to Tony Blair. 

Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

Days into the election campaign and parties are scrambling to get their message out on social media. With both Labour and the Conservatives joining TikTok, who has a stronger message? Katy Balls speaks to Sean Topham, co-founder of Topham Guerin who ran the Conservative's 2019 social media campaign.