Podcast

Coffee House Shots

Daily political analysis from The Spectator’s top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Tim Shipman, Isabel Hardman, James Heale, Lucy Dunn and many others.

Daily political analysis from The Spectator’s top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Tim Shipman, Isabel Hardman, James Heale, Lucy Dunn and many others.

Coffee House Shots

What cards does the West have left to play?

PMQs began with a rather unorthodox but touching round of applause to welcome the Ukrainian ambassador to the chamber. While the Commons was united in its support of Ukraine and condemnation of Putin’s actions, Labour leader Keir Starmer confronted Boris Johnson about certain Russian individuals who have been sanctioned by our allies but not by

Play 11 mins

Coffee House Shots

Why is a no-fly zone a no go?

During a press conference in Poland today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was confronted by Ukrainian journalist and campaigner Daria Kaleniuk, who took issue with the excuse for not imposing a no-fly zone because it may start World War Three, saying it had already begun. While it is completely understandable that on the streets of Ukrainian

Play 10 mins

Coffee House Shots

Has Putin underestimated the West?

Over the weekend, the West unveiled further measures to punish Russia for invading Ukraine. The European Union said it would put limits on the Russian central bank’s ability to access its reserve of foreign currency, Finland blocked Russia from its airspace, and Germany pledged that it would increase its defence spending to 2 per cent.

Play 12 mins

Coffee House Shots

What is Sunak’s vision for the economy?

Katy Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and Tony Danker, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), about the Chancellor’s Mais lecture on Thursday, where he reaffirmed his belief in ‘sustainably’ cutting taxes.

Play 11 mins

Coffee House Shots

Are Russia’s oligarchs the key to stopping Putin?

Russian forces are attempting to take Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, said he would be spending the day trying to convince European allies like Germany and Italy, who are reluctant to put too harsh sanctions on Russia, to ban them from the Swift payments system. How else can the West

Play 12 mins

Coffee House Shots

Ukraine under siege – what now?

Vladimir Putin has launched an attack on multiple fronts across Ukraine. In a televised speech, the Russian leader announced a ‘military operation’ in Ukraine’s Donbas region. Today, Boris Johnson has vowed to hit Russia with a ‘massive’ package of sanctions. But who will really suffer from these sanctions? And will it be enough to deter

Play 15 mins

Coffee House Shots

Are UK sanctions all bark no bite?

For the last few weeks, the UK has condemned Putin and promised a strong response in the face of more Russian aggression. But when Boris Johnson announced his sanctions, for many, including those within his own party, they felt a little small. Particularly when compared to Germany cancelling the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Isabel Hardman

Play 12 mins

Coffee House Shots

Russia invades: what comes next?

Last night Vladimir Putin gave an hour-long television address to the Russian people over his decision to move troops into Ukraine. Amid international condemnation, Boris Johnson held a Cobra meeting this morning to discuss the UK’s next moves. Meanwhile, Germany has put the brakes on Nord Stream 2. ‘The ball is now back in Vladimir

Play 11 mins

Coffee House Shots

Will Brits with Covid still self-isolate?

With Boris Johnson set to announce the end of legal Covid restrictions later today, how will people respond? Will they continue to isolate, or choose to go about their life even if they have the virus? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth, Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about the change, as well as the continuing

Play 11 mins

Coffee House Shots

Could Nick Clegg become the most powerful man in Britain?

The Online Safety Bill could be about to hand social media giants even more powers over journalism and free speech. Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and Damian Collins, who chairs Parliament’s joint committee on the bill.

Play 24 mins

Coffee House Shots

Should Boris scrap free Covid tests?

Next week is the end of recess and Boris Johnson is expected to scrap universal access to free Covid tests. What will be the reaction to this? ‘You do have to wonder if tests are the best use of taxpayer’s money given the pressure on the NHS‘ – Fraser Nelson Also on the podcast, the

Play 11 mins

Coffee House Shots

Is Rayner in trouble with Labour?

Angela Rayner received an outburst of criticism today after her views on shooting terrorists went viral. The deputy Labour leader is known for her colourful language, but how much is this damaging Labour’s branding? In her column this week, Katy Balls takes a look at the Labour Party’s strategy around Boris:‘I think Boris Johnson staying

Play 11 mins

Coffee House Shots

What will be the cost of sanctions against Russia?

Joe Biden has set out his intentions to impose sanctions against Russia should Putin decide to launch an invasion against Ukraine. Are European countries that economically rely on Russia prepared for the inevitable costs that will come with these sanctions? ‘There is no way you could have a set of sanctions on Russia without thinking

Play 10 mins

Coffee House Shots

Can the government solve the cost of living crisis?

Two issues dominate the news this week. While Putin is recalling some troops back to their barracks, the situation in Ukraine is far from over. Meanwhile at home, we are in a cost of living crisis that could continue for years to come. What will the government do to resolve this crisis? All to be

Play 12 mins

Coffee House Shots

Why do the Americans think war is imminent?

Over the weekend things between Ukraine and Russia seem to have gone from bad to worse. After a call between Biden and Putin failed to yield any meaningful results, the US warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could being as soon as Wednesday. Cindy Yu sits down with Katy Balls and James Forsyth to

Play 11 mins

Coffee House Shots

Does Europe need to get used to dealing with Russia?

During the Cold War, the US saw Russia as global threat number one. But with China looming large on the world stage its focus is shifting. This leaves Europe to take the lead in dealing with Putin’s desires on Ukraine. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Sophia Gaston the director of the British Foreign

Play 14 mins

Coffee House Shots

Who will replace Cressida Dick?

Cressida Dick announced yesterday evening that she is stepping down as head of the Metropolitan Police. In a statement, Dick said she had been left with ‘no choice’ but to resign, after it was made clear to her that London mayor Sadiq Khan did not have confidence in her leadership. Who will replace her? And

Play 8 mins

Coffee House Shots

Should Liz Truss have gone to Russia?

The Foreign Secretary’s trip to Moscow today ended with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, walking out of their joint press conference. Did the trip achieve anything – and was it a mistake from the start? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth on this episode. For James, ‘[Lavrov’s] rudeness is a sign that Liz Truss held

Play 9 mins

Coffee House Shots

Will there ever be a break in the partygate scandal?

The Prime Minister tried to start today’s PMQs with an announcement to fire up the right of his base, an early end to all Covid restrictions. But the partygate scandal is the gift that keeps on giving when during the Commons session a new photo leaked of Boris Johnson at a Christmas quiz with a

Play 9 mins

Coffee House Shots

What to make of the mini reshuffle?

A mini reshuffle has happened, but this time nobody has been fired. Is this a sign of Boris Johnson being strategic? Or is it more an advertisement of the little room he has to manoeuvre?Also on the podcast, James and Isabel discuss the NHS backlog. Today the Health Secretary was forced to admit to MPs

Play 15 mins

Coffee House Shots

Will Boris’s new appointments win over backbenchers?

On Saturday night, No. 10 announced two new appointments: Steve Barclay would become chief of staff, and Guto Harri would become director of communications. Will Downing Street’s reshuffle improve the mood of Tory MPs? And what else does Boris Johnson have to do?  Katy Balls talks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth about the new faces

Play 14 mins

Coffee House Shots

What happens in a vote of no confidence?

Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about what happens if and when Graham Brady receives 54 letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson’s leadership.

Play 11 mins

Coffee House Shots

Who will fill the vacuum in No. 10?

Five members of Boris Johnson’s team have now resigned from No. 10. This led Downing Street to bring forward changes to Johnson’s top team – announcing the resignations of chief of staff Dan Rosenfield, director of communications Jack Doyle and Martin Reynolds, his principal private secretary (who sent the now notorious BYOB email). How will

Play 14 mins

Coffee House Shots

What does the latest No. 10 resignation mean?

Recorded just moments after Spectator Political Editor, James Forsyth broke the story that Munira Mirza, the Downing Street head of policy, had resigned over Boris Johnson’s Jimmy Savile attack on Keir Starmer. Katy Balls talks to James about how this defection of one of Johnson’s oldest allies will affect the already turbulent No. 10. They

Play 17 mins

Coffee House Shots

Was the levelling up white paper worth the wait?

While Westminster politicians and journalists alike continue to predict exactly how many letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson have been officially filed. Michael Gove’s levelling up white paper has finally arrived. A bizarre document that references many ancient cites and how they ‘levelled up’, but does it propose any tangible solutions on how to

Play 15 mins

Coffee House Shots

Have Tory MPs forgiven Boris?

While Boris Johnson’s performance in the Common’s yesterday was seen broadly as tone deaf – thanks to comments about Jimmy Savile and drug-taking on the Labour front bench – he was given a chance to redeem himself at a private meeting with his party yesterday evening.  ‘One of my favourite questions was when one 2019

Play 13 mins

Coffee House Shots

What does the Gray report mean for Boris?

The long anticipated Sue Gray report was finally published today albeit lacking significant chucks of detail. Following the report, Boris Johnson made a statement in the Commons. Though he apologised at the beginning, his tone did not seem particularly apologetic, which clearly riled a number of MPs across party lines. ‘The discomfort among the Tory benches

Play 14 mins

Coffee House Shots

Can Boris save his premiership?

Boris Johnson has come out fighting, but that doesn’t mean he’s in the clear. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the Prime Minister’s efforts to keep himself inside No. 10.

Play 12 mins

Coffee House Shots

Will Sue Gray’s report be a whitewash?

Today the Metropolitan Police requested that Sue Gray’s report makes ‘minimal reference’ to the events in her inquiry, whilst there is an ongoing police investigation. ‘I think it puts the government in a difficult position. If you publish the report with minimal reference to the alleged parties being investigated by the police you’ll be accused

Play 10 mins

Coffee House Shots

Who authorised Pen Farthing’s animal rescue operation?

Whilst everyone waits for the Sue Gray report, all eyes turn to the next scandal: Pen Farthing’s animal rescue operation out of Afghanistan. It has been revealed that Boris Johnson’s parliamentary private secretary, Trudy Harrison contacted a jet hire company in an attempt to secure a plane to evacuate the pets. The PM has responded

Play 16 mins