Coffee House Shots

How are Tories split on small boats?

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tory party divisions over the small boats policy are starting to appear. Although the bill sailed through its second reading in parliament, now Rishi ...

Sunday shows round-up: MPs caught in sting operation

26 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows. Michael Gove was quizzed by Laura Kuenssberg on the sting operation by Le...

Is it time to stop changing the clocks?

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this special Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots, The Spectator’s James Heale, journalist Peter Hitchens and the IEA’s Christopher Snowdon a...

What's going on in France?

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This morning Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles's State visit to France has been cancelled as the country struggles with nationwide str...

What's behind Starmer's trans U-turn?

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer today seemed to change his party's stance on self-identification for transgender people. Before, Starmer said Labour would update the Gen...

The trial of Boris Johnson

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today Boris Johnson sat through a grueling four-hour hearing into whether the former Prime Minister deliberately misled parliament. Katy Balls and Fra...

Who wants Boris back?

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson has today made his defence of partygate, before he is questioned by the Privileges Committee tomorrow. He accepts that he misled the Hou...

Is the DUP's protocol verdict a blow for Sunak?

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of the vote on Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, leader of the DUP has said he will not back the key parts of the Windsor Fram...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup – 19/03/23

19 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows. Oliver Dowden, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, defended it taki...

Coffee House Scots: should the SNP be worried about falling membership?

18 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The SNP has confirmed that its membership has fallen to 72,000 – a loss of over 30,000 since 2021. This has prompted an open letter from leadership ...

Will Boris vote on the NI Protocol?

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A look ahead to next week where MPs will vote on parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol. What would a win look like for the government? The vote has b...

Are NHS strikes about to end?

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The day after Jeremy Hunt's Spring Budget has been fairly muted compared to recent Budget hangovers. What has been the overall reaction? On the global...

Budget special: what did we learn?

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor has unveiled his spring Budget, which was accompanied by forecasts predicting that the UK will avoid recession this year a...

Coffee House Scots: is the SNP establishment worried by Forbes?

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After a tumultuous two weeks, voting is now open for the SNP leadership elections until 27 March. But are members any closer to knowing who they’ll ...

Has small boats united the Tories?

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

MPs voted through the second reading of the Illegal Migration bill last night with a 62-vote majority. There was a handful of Tory MPs that abstained ...

Is Rishi right about China?

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today Rishi Sunak's diplomacy is taking centre stage. He is currently in San Diego for talks with President Biden and the government has just released...

Does the triumph of Gary Lineker spell disaster for the BBC?

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Two stories dominated the news agenda over the weekend, one concerning a household name and the other involving a bank which – before Sunday – few...

Should Sunak block Boris Johnson's honours list?

11 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson is reportedly cutting the number of names on his honours list from 100 to 60 (still much higher than the average honours list for former...

Will Sunak’s charm offensive with Macron work?

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak was in Paris today meeting with President Emmanuel Macron. The pair unveiled a new deal to stop the Channel crossings as part of the first...

Is Labour saying anything new on childcare?

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson is giving a speech to centre-right think tank Onward today, all about childcare. But is the party ac...

Coffee House Scots: can the SNP stop the infighting?

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We had the first televised hustings for the leadership of the SNP last night, and it was a fiery affair to say the least. Will the lack of party unity...

Is time running out for Simon Case?

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been reported that more damaging messages sent by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case during the pandemic will surface in the Daily Telegraph's Lockdown...

Will Sunak's small boats plan make any difference?

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Suella Braverman unveiled the Illegal Migration Bill today in the Commons. The Home Secretary said that Britain had been 'taken for a ride', as she re...

Can Rishi stop small boats?

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tomorrow the government is set to deliver its plan the tackle small boats, legislation Rishi Sunak has been promising since before Christmas. Is Rishi...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup – 05/03/23

05 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows. Matt Hancock's leaked WhatsApp messages dominated the interviews as Chris...

Coffee House Scots: what did we learn from this week's hustings?

04 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been an interesting week in the race for the leadership of the SNP. Kate Forbes's campaign has been plunged into fresh doubt by the news that her...

Sue Gray defects

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about Sue Gray's new role as Keir Starmer's chief of staff and what happened on the Tory MP's away day...

Does Boris have a point on the Protocol?

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson delivered his first speech since leaving No.10 and told the audience he would not be able to back Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal. Although th...

Coffee House Scots: is the SNP shifting right?

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the first of The Spectator's special Coffee House Scots series, Michael Simmons speaks to Isabel Hardman, Katy Balls and Stephen Daisley about the ...

What we learned from the lockdown files

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Daily Telegraph has splashed on over 100,000 WhatsApp messages to and from Matt Hancock during his time as Health Secretary. Altogether they show ...

Has Rishi Sunak pulled this off?

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

James Heale speaks to Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls about some of the key points in the Windsor Framework. Having reached an agreement with the EU, ca...

Northern Ireland Protocol: is this a 'breakthrough' deal?

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today Rishi Sunak has reached a revised agreement with the EU on Northern Ireland, and hailed it a 'turning point' for the people of Northern Ireland....

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup – 26/02/23

26 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says there's 'quiet confidence' about the ...

How is the government helping Ukrainians in Britain?

25 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today marks one year since Putin sent the Russian army into Kyiv. Since then, what has been the experience of the Ukrainians who fled their homes and ...

Could Kate Forbes still win?

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A poll of the SNP membership puts Kate Forbes as the frontrunner. Despite becoming embroiled in a row over her religious views, Forbes enjoys the supp...

Was there anything Labour about Labour's five missions?

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has set out Labour's five missions for government in a speech today, but was there anything Labour about them? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Bal...

Will there be resignations over Northern Ireland?

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak continues to try to get his MPs onside when it comes to the government's deal with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol. Some Euroscept...

Is Rishi Sunak repeating May's mistakes?

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today was meant to be the day that Rishi Sunak presented his Northern Ireland Protocol plans to parliament, instead he told the cabinet that intensive...

Is there a campaign to stop Forbes?

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Scotland's finance secretary, Kate Forbes has formally declared her campaign to be leader of the SNP. Currently the bookies' favourite – what direct...

Is Scottish independence dead?

18 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After the news this week that Nicola Sturgeon will step aside as leader of the Scottish National Party, can the cause of Scottish independence survive...

Will the DUP accept Sunak’s deal?

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As it looks like the government is about to agree a new deal with the European Union on the Northern Ireland Protocol, Rishi Sunak is in Belfast today...

How powerful is Keir Starmer?

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With Labour nearly 30 points ahead in the polls, Keir Starmer is consolidating his position at the top. He said yesterday that Jeremy Corbyn will not ...

Is Sunak making a mistake on the NI protocol?

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Conservative Home editor Paul Goodman about the union. Both in terms of Nicola Sturgeon's sudden decision to resi...

Nicola Sturgeon resigns – why now?

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Sturgeon has announced her resignation as First Minister of Scotland. James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman about her decision to...

Is Rishi Sunak tough enough on China?

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for defence has launched a security review in the wake of Chinese spy balloons entering Western airspace. This acc...

Is there a plot to unravel Brexit?

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whilst the government is in recess, a group of cross-party politicians joined a private meeting to discuss 'How we can make Brexit work better with ou...

Was Liz Truss right?

11 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week has seen the return of Liz Truss, firstly with her op-ed in the Telegraph and then her Spectator TV exclusive interview. Has enough time pas...

Is our economy OK?

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New GDP figures show that the UK economy narrowly avoided recession at the end of 2022. Between the final quarter and the third quarter of last year, ...

Is Lee Anderson No. 10's secret weapon?

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The chatter in Westminster has been dominated by comments the new deputy chairman of the Conservative Party gave to James Heale, The Spectator's diary...

Will Britain send Ukraine jets?

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

President Zelensky was in Westminster today to address Parliament. The Ukrainian leader came to London to ask MPs to give Ukraine fighter jets. Will R...

What's behind Rishi's reshuffle?

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak announced a reshuffle of his cabinet this morning. Among other changes, Greg Hands will become the Tory party chair, and Michelle Donelan ...

The Liz Truss interview: 'I didn't get everything right'

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today Liz Truss has broken her silence, giving her first broadcast interview since leaving No.10 to SpectatorTV. Was she denied a ‘realistic chance’...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday roundup – Truss returns

05 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows. Featured today are interviews with Business Secretary Grant Shapps, Sharo...

Are Sweden's liberal laws incubating violent crime?

04 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In his column for the Telegraph, Fraser Nelson says that Sweden has become a gangster's paradise, with its liberal approach to criminal justice allowi...

Is Rishi about to get radical?

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In her Times column this week Katy Balls says that Rishi Sunak is about to roll his sleeves up on EU trade and small boats, potentially setting him ag...

Did Sunak ever have a political honeymoon?

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A new poll today shows that more than half of voters think that Rishi Sunak has handled the economy badly, and that a third of voters think Boris John...

Are we close to a breakthrough on the Northern Ireland Protocol?

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today the Times has reported that a partial agreement has been made over the Northern Ireland Protocol. Why are the government playing down the progre...

Can we trust the IMF's forecasts?

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The IMF report suggests Britain will be the only advanced economy to fall into recession this year – predicting the worst growth figures of any G7 c...

Is Zahawi getting his own back?

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The problem of Nadhim Zahawi may not have gone away as quickly as the Prime Minister might have hoped. Today, allies of the former Tory Chairman have ...

Isabel Hardman’s Sunday Roundup – 29/01/23

29 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows. Featured today are interviews with Michael Gove, Bridget Phillipson, Mary...

Why Nadhim Zahawi was sacked

29 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This morning, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak fired the Conservative party chairman Nadhim Zahawi over the scandal surrounding his tax affairs. This st...

Should politicians stick out a scandal?

28 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It emerged this week that Nadhim Zahawi was in a row last year with HMRC over tax payments, but he is currently holding onto his post as Conservative ...

Does Hunt's growth agenda add up?

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy Hunt unveiled his plans to grow the economy in a speech this morning. His strategy will focus on four pillars or 'four E's': enterprise, educat...

Is No. 10 preparing to let Zahawi go?

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last few days, Downing Street has been quietly distancing itself from Nadhim Zahawi, though seems unwilling to do anything until the investig...

Is Tory sleaze cutting through?

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Rishi Sunak faced another round of questioning over the two ongoing Tory sleaze scandals. What is it about these stories that infuriate voters,...

Does Zahawi have to resign?

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This morning government minister Chris Philp gave a less than convincing defence of former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi as the row over his tax affairs co...

Will Tory sleaze hurt Sunak?

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Having just recovered from his own seatbelt fine saga, Rishi Sunak spent the weekend fighting two more Tory sleaze scandals. First over the ongoing in...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 22/01/23

22 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman brings you the highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. Guests featured today include James Cleverly, Nicola Sturgeon and Rach...

Why did Jacinda Ardern resign?

21 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Andrews talks to Fraser Nelson and the New Zealand based journalist and author Andrea Vance about the surprise announcement from Jacinda Ardern t...

Should Sunak be fined over seatbelt-gate?

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak may be facing a fine from the police for not wearing a seatbelt in the backseat of a car on his tour around the country yesterday. Is this...

What's behind the Tory rift on levelling up?

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak faces the fury of Red Wall MPs and other Tories today as he announced the distribution of the second round of the government's levelling u...

Can Keir Starmer be trusted?

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Prime Minister's Questions, Rishi Sunak went heavy on accusations that Keir Starmer cannot be trusted, having flip-flopped on various polic...

Will the Scottish trans row go to court?

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Westminster and Holyrood are going head to head on Scotland's newly passed Gender Recognition Bill. Last night, the UK government blocked the legislat...

What will be on the agenda at Davos?

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's looking like a busy week in Westminster. So busy in fact that prime minister Rishi Sunak will not be attending the annual Davos meeting, organise...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 15/01/23

15 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with interviews from Sir Keir Starmer, Mark Harper, and John Bercow.  Become a...

Is Boris on manoeuvres?

14 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson's potential comeback has been dominating headlines for several months now. As Rishi struggles to unite the party, Katy Balls, Fraser Nel...

Should Sunak unleash Kemi Badenoch?

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak is in Scotland meeting with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and said today that he is concerned about new gender laws in Scotland which w...

SNP: do you attract more flies with honey or vinegar?

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welfare reform is back on the agenda. Today there have been reports of how the Tories plan to reform welfare benefits in this country. What is Mel Str...

Why did Sunak change tack on private healthcare?

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak has finally answered questions over his healthcare arrangements with a statement in Prime Minister's Questions, stating that he is current...

Is No. 10 trying to ban strikes?

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Business Secretary, Grant Shapps has introduced a bill proposing a minimum level of public sector work during strike action for six key industries. La...

Should Sunak use an NHS GP?

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In an interview on Sunday, Rishi Sunak refused to tell Laura Kuenssberg whether he has a private GP. Could this question come back to haunt him amid a...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 08/01/23

08 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting. Become a Spectator subscr...

Is Trussonomics really dead?

07 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Heale about the former Prime Minister's lunch with her loyalists at Ma La Sichuan, and whether her ideas might ...

What is Prince Harry thinking?

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Prince Harry describes losing his virginity, taking drugs, and scrapping with his brother in his upcoming book, Spare. Will Buckingham Palace have any...

Why did Starmer steal 'take back control'?

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer said this morning that communities would 'take back control' under a Labour government. In a speech delivered just down the road from whe...

Are Sunak's five pledges enough to sort Britain out?

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak made five pledges to fix Britain in a speech in London today. Inflation will halve, the economy will grow, debt will fall, NHS waiting lis...

Will Brits shun trains?

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Millions of Britons will forever shun trains because of the ongoing strikes, a government sources told the Times today. Are the strikes proving as eff...

What's on Sunak's New Year agenda?

24 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This year in politics has ended with a row over nurses pay. Will the government be able to resolve the dispute in the New Year? Meanwhile, in Scotland...

Was Zelensky's visit to the US a success?

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this special podcast, Cindy Yu speaks to Svitlana Morenets, author of The Spectator's Ukraine in Focus newsletter.Whilst Zelensky's visit to the US...

Ambulance strikes: who will blink first?

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today tens of thousands of ambulance workers are on strike over a pay dispute. The government is calling on people to stay safe, avoid doing anything ...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 18/12/22

18 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. The final guests highlighted from 2022 are Oliver Dowden, Yvette Cooper...

2022: The year in review

17 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls, Isabel Hardman and James Heale review the political maelstrom that was 2022, a year with more Prime Ministers than some decades have manag...

What's Jake Berry up to?

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The nurses' strike is well underway and there seems to be no sign of an agreement over pay any time soon. The government seems to be receiving fiercer...

Nurses strike: will there be a resolution?

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are on strike today in search of a 19 per cent pay rise. Chief Nursing Officer Dame Ruth May appeared ou...

Did Starmer flop at PMQs?

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer put in a weak performance in today's Prime Minister's Questions, Isabel Hardman says on today's podcast. Is Labour's fence sitting and va...

Will Rishi's immigration plan work?

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak today revealed a plan he says will tackle illegal immigration. 'Enough is enough', he said. The asylum backlog of 150,000 will be cleared ...

Is the Tory party undemocratic?

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak has now served as prime minister longer than his predecessor Liz Truss, but that doesn't mean that it's all plane sailing. Former Home Sec...

Katy Balls' Sunday Roundup - 11/12/22

11 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls presents the highlights from Sunday morning's politics shows. Featured on today's podcast are Sir Stephen Powis, James Cleverly, Wes Street...

Can Labour retain their lead on the economy?

10 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

James Heale asks Katy Balls and Stephen Bush about whether Labour can maintain the public's confidence on tax and spending decisions now that the mini...

Will Hunt’s ‘Brexit freedoms’ kickstart Britain’s economy?

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

James Heale speaks to Kate Andrews and Katy Balls about Jeremy Hunt's latest proposals to reform the banking system. Will the 'Edinburgh Reforms' kick...