Coffee House Shots

What do the polls tell us about Sunak vs Truss?

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Over the next few weeks, Conservative party members will cast their votes on who they want to be the next Prime Minister. YouGov has released another ...

Can Rishi catch up?

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So far, most polls of Tory members show that they'd prefer Liz Truss to Rishi Sunak when it comes to the next Conservative party leader. With ballots ...

Liz Truss vs Rishi Sunak: will the next phase be less rancorous?

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Conservative MPs have chosen the final two candidates to be presented to the Tory membership in the final round of this leadership contest. Over the r...

Spectator Hustings: Penny Mordaunt, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of Penny Mordaunt, Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss will be Britain's next prime minister. What are the contenders' answers to the big questions facing Br...

Kemi out – are Tory MPs lending votes?

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There has been another elimination in the Tory leadership race. Break-out star Kemi Badenoch is out, with three remaining candidates left until tomorr...

Can Truss catch up with Mordaunt?

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Tugendhat has been knocked out of the Tory leadership race. With Rishi Sunak leading the pack, and Liz Truss, Penny Mordaunt and Kemi Badenoch in ...

What's behind the leadership debate boycott?

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This morning, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss pulled out of the Sky News leadership debate, scheduled for tomorrow evening. What does this say for public sc...

Who won the second leadership debate?

17 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman, James Forsyth and Katy Balls pick through tonight’s ITV debate with the five candidates for Prime Minister. Become a Spectator subs...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 17/07/22

17 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Featured today are Penny Mordaunt, Suella Braverman, Iain Duncan Smith, Dominic Raa...

Tory leadership debate – who won?

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the first televised Tory leadership debate, the five remaining candidates set out their stalls on trust in politics, tax cuts and the NHS ahead of ...

How many MPs can Truss take from Braverman?

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The ERG's favoured candidate, Suella Braverman, dropped out of the Tory leadership race last night. This morning, ERG chair Mark Francois said that he...

Can Penny Mordaunt hack the top job?

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Tory briefing war continues to get underway, with David Frost launching a vicious broadside at Penny Mordaunt on talkRadio this morning. 'She wasn...

Hunt and Zahawi out: who will mop up their supporters?

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The first ballot of the Tory leadership contest is now over, with Jeremy Hunt and Nadhim Zahawi knocked out as they weren't able to meet the 30 votes ...

Can Penny Mordaunt win it?

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today all candidates need 30 nominations to make it through to the next round. One dark horse in the race is Penny Mordaunt who is seen as Labour's gr...

Can the leadership candidates take the heat?

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Appropriately matched to the summer heatwave, the Tory leadership contest is hotting up. Whilst Grant Shapps has just pulled out and decided to back R...

Who will win over the Tory right?

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liz Truss has today announced her candidacy for the Tory leadership. With Kemi Badenoch and Suella Braverman already looking to win votes from MPs on ...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 10/07/22

10 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday morning's political shows as the Conservative leadership race kicks off, featuring interviews with Saj...

What is Boris Johnson's legacy?

09 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

James Forsyth speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls about what Boris Johnson has achieved and if he will leave a significant imprint as a result of h...

Who wants to replace Boris?

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Tory leadership race has begun. Some candidates, like Steve Baker and Suella Braverman, have already declared that they will be running. Others, l...

Boris resigns. What next?

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After fighting words briefed out to the papers overnight, this morning, the Prime Minister has finally decided to resign. A statement is expected toda...

Boris refuses to resign – what next?

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Despite mass resignations and calls from newly appointed ministers to resign, Boris has dug his heels in and refused to leave. What will be his next m...

Is the end nigh for Boris?

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As several cabinet ministers have resigned, is it hours, days, weeks or months before Boris Johnson is kicked out?James Forsyth joins Katy Balls from ...

Sunak and Javid resign. Now what?

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid have resigned from government. In letters to the Prime Minister this evening, Sunak said the government 'cannot continue l...

Have Tory MPs reached breaking point?

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson was briefed 'in person' on a formal Whitehall complaint into Chris Pincher, a former Foreign Office official said today, despite No. 10 ...

What did Boris know about Chris Pincher?

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson knew of media reports about Chris Pincher's conduct when he invited him to join the government, it emerged today. How serious a crisis i...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 03/07/22

03 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. Today's podcast features Thérèse Coffey, Jonathan Reynolds, Andy Burnh...

Will Nicola Sturgeon get her way?

02 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about Nicola Sturgeon’s latest plans to hold a referendum on Scottish independence on 19th ...

Has Tory sleaze hit a new low?

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last night Chris Pincher resigned from his role in the government - after 'drinking far too much' and 'embarrassing himself'. Witnesses reportedly saw...

Is the privileges committee a kangaroo court?

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After an eight-day world tour, Boris Johnson is back on British soil to come face-to-face with Tory MPs for the first time since the hammering by-elec...

Does Nicola Sturgeon really want an independence referendum?

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The campaign for a second independence referendum is well and truly on, as Nicola Sturgeon tours the airwaves this week. But can the SNP will Indyref2...

Why did Tory rebels abstain from the NI Protocol Bill?

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill passed its second reading last night with a majority of 74 votes. A number of Tory rebels voiced their opposition t...

Is Boris being too bullish?

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After a bruising few days, Boris Johnson remains bullish suggesting his intentions to stay in Downing Street for a third term. Is this rattling Tory M...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 26/06/22

26 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows, with Brandon Lewis, David Lammy, João Vale de Almeida and Sir Ed Dave...

Will 2024 see an avalanche of tactical voting?

25 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman talks to James Forsyth and James Johnson of the J.L. Partners polling company, about how much the Conservative party has to fear from t...

Is Boris Johnson heading for a 1997 moment?

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In a major blow, the Conservatives have lost two seats in the Tiverton and Wakefield by-elections. Immediately after, the Conservative party chairman,...

Can the government prevent a 'bummer summer'?

23 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, British Airways staff have voted have a strike of their own, adding to the government's woes as rail workers continue to strike throughout this...

Are the latest inflation figures worrying for the government?

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The inflation figures released today suggest that inflation has risen at the highest rate in 40 years. Now at 9.1 per cent, some may say this is good ...

Is Labour in trouble over the rail strikes?

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The first day of strike action has begun with large parts of the country's railways, as well as London's underground lines, shut down. But where worke...

Will the government hold their line on strike action?

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today begins a chaotic week for commuters who face major travel disruptions as rail staff stage the biggest walkout in 30 years. Union leaders have ac...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 19/06/22

19 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday morning's political shows, today featuring clips from Grant Shapps, Mick Lynch, Micheál Martin and...

Who will be the PM's next ethical compass?

18 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls discusses the vacant role of ethics adviser with James Forsyth and prime ministerial biographer Lord Anthony Seldon. Become a Spectator su...

Is it time to call Sturgeon's Bluff?

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The calls for Indyref2 are coming thick and fast from the SNP leader this week with a plan for a monthly speech to express the benefits of Scotland le...

What caused Geidt's flight?

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lord Geidt became the second ethics advisor to leave Boris Johnson's government last night. It seems like Chinese steel tariffs was the straw that bro...

Is the Rwanda flight block a problem for No.10?

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

the first flight taking asylum seekers to Rwanda was stalled just before takeoff after a late intervention from the European Court of Human Rights (EC...

Is the row over Rwanda good for the government?

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The government is fighting on two fronts today. Firstly defending is Rwandan immigration plan from a unified front of Bishops as the first flight is s...

The next Brexit battle

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Foreign Secretary has outlined fresh legislation to change the post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU today – allowing ministers to override pa...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 12/06/22

12 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows, with clips from Brandon Lewis, Rachel Reeves, Mark Serwotka and Tony D...

Will Jeremy Hunt run for PM again?

11 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Max Jeffery talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about the former Health Secretary's week. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcas...

Can the UK save the two Brits sentenced to death?

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Two British citizens fighting the Russians have been sentenced to death in Ukrainian territory controlled by the Kremlin. How has the UK responded thu...

What's behind Boris's relaunch?

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

By sticking to his promise to ‘move on’ after the confidence vote, Boris has announced his new flagship policies during a speech in Blackpool. He ...

Did Boris Johnson survive PMQs?

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson was surrounded by opposition at the despatch box when he faced the Labour leader at PMQs today. Did Keir Starmer make the most of his op...

What will the Tory rebels do next?

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is the day after the night before when Boris Johnson narrowly survived a confidence vote. Today he held a meeting with the Cabinet to encourage his...

Is Boris Johnson finished?

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The results are in. 211 Tory MPs expressed confidence in the Prime Minister, while 148 said they had no confidence in Boris Johnson continuing to lead...

Boris to face confidence vote tonight

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson will face a confidence vote tonight. Announcing the news this morning, the chair of the 1922 committee Sir Graham Brady said in a statem...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 05/06/22

05 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday morning’s political programmes, with contributions coming from Grant Shapps, Sadiq Khan and Sir Howa...

Politics and the monarchy: a look back at the Queen's reign

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As this week marks the Queen's platinum jubilee, we take a look back at her greatest political achievements in her role as head of state. How importan...

Is the SNP more conservative than the Conservatives?

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is a lot of news to cover on Coffee House Shots before the celebrations for the Jubilee begin. First in Westminster with Lord Geidt threatening ...

Why is Boris cutting the civil service?

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The government wants to cut the civil service by over 90,000 people to 2016 levels. Part of the plan is to suspend the Fast Stream recruitment scheme,...

Could Boris be toppled by accident?

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Sue Gray report came in last week, but we haven't seen a coordinated effort to either stand behind the Prime Minister, or kick him out. Instead, t...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 29/05/22

29 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. This podcast contains clips featuring Andrei Kelin, Brandon Lewis, Annel...

Have the Tories lost their way?

28 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth, and Kate Andrews about Rishi Sunak's latest support package to aid with the cost of living, includi...

Will Rishi's stimulus backfire?

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There have been mixed opinions following Rishi Sunak's plans to help the cost of living crisis. The £15 billion budget is targeted to help the whole ...

Is the windfall tax justified?

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak has announced a new tranche of economic measures designed to help ease the cost of living crisis in the UK. The new payments will be funde...

Did the Sue Gray report move the dial?

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The long-awaited Sue Gray report is finally published today. It included new photographs (including of the birthday bash, though James Forsyth describ...

How will Boris Johnson respond to the Gray report?

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Gray's report into Downing Street parties during lockdown is set to be released on Wednesday morning. The tone Boris Johnson takes will be vital t...

What do we know about the Sue Gray report?

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's finally happening! This is the week the infamous Sue Gray report into partygate will be released. Details are few and far between, although we do...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 22/05/22

22 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. Today's best bits come from Nadhim Zahawi, Pat McFadden and Michael Lewi...

Should the Tories try to lose the next election?

21 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some Tories want to lose the next election. Conservative policies and ideologies are stale, they say, and the party could do with a period in oppositi...

Has Boris won back Tory MPs?

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Given that Boris Johnson escaped the latest and final set of party fines from the police yesterday, does this mean partygate is over? Sue Gray's repor...

Is Boris Johnson out of the woods on partygate?

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Met police have today announced that their investigation into No. 10 parties is now over, and No. 10 have confirmed that neither the Prime Ministe...

Is a windfall tax inevitable?

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With the cost of living crisis looming large, pressure is on the government to come up with effective solutions. With Labour snapping at their heels f...

Will the new Brexit bill spark a trade war with the EU?

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liz Truss made a speech in the House of Commons today laying out the government's plans to scrap parts of the Northern Ireland protocol. James Forsyth...

Will Boris break the Stormont deadlock?

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris is in Belfast today in an attempt to repair relations between the DUP and Sinn Fein. In a 2000 word article for Belfast Telegraph, the Prime Min...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 15/05/22

15 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Kwasi Kwarteng and Ed Miliband. Become a Spectator subscriber today to ac...

What is the future of Nato?

14 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Finland this week has expressed its wish to join Nato and Sweden is expected to follow suit. But with an America more focused on China, an ever aggres...

Why is the government planning to cull the civil service?

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jacob Rees-Mogg has said that the government plans to axe 91,000 posts within three years from the civil service. The argument for it is that the redu...

What's the point of a cost of living cabinet?

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson met Conservative MPs in Stoke-on-Trent for a Cabinet away day. The focus is on how new legislation would level up the UK and protect peo...

What's behind the Swedish security pact?

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today Boris Johnson pledged his support to protect Sweden and Finland in a mutual defence pact. As non Nato members, the deal is intended to protect t...

What did the Queen's Speech reveal?

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Inside the Lord's Chamber, Prince Charles delivered the Queen's Speech in his mother's absence. The key themes of the Prime Minister's legislative age...

How much trouble is Keir Starmer in?

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As pressures mount over claims that Keir Starmer broke lockdown rules, the Labour leader has just pulled out of a keynote speech he is due to give tod...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 08/05/22

08 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Dominic Raab, Lisa Nandy, Sir Ed Davey and Jukka Siukosaari.Become a Spectator...

Could Boris win another election?

07 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls, James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman delve into the 2022 local election results and discuss how the Conservatives will adapt their strategy to...

Can the Lib Dem's declare victory?

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've had more election results in and it looks like the Lib Dems will be celebrating tonight, encroaching on many Tory seats around the country. But ...

Who are the ‘winners’ in the local elections?

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The results are coming in! While the Tories seem to have done quite badly in the capital, Labour have not made the gains in the rest of the country th...

Is the UK headed towards recession?

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Monetary Policy Committee has just raised interest rates again. This is the fourth consecutive rise, the first time this has happened within a qua...

Could Labour overtake the Tories in Scotland?

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A new poll from ComRes has shown Scottish Labour taking second place in tomorrow's local elections, overtaking the Scottish Conservatives. On the podc...

What does victory look like in the local elections?

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Campaigning in the local elections is entering its final few days. But what are the expectations for the Tories and Labour and can they be met? Both ...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 01/05/22

01 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the best bits from Sunday's political shows, with Kwasi Kwarteng, Sir Keir Starmer, David Lammy, Adrian Bailey and Sir Ed Dav...

Why is it so hard to become a British citizen?

30 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A big congratulations to Linda Nelson who has just become a British citizen. Fraser details the long and taxing journey it took for his wife to reach ...

Will Starmer get a Covid fine?

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Labour has admitted that deputy leader Angela Rayner, was also at an event where Keir Starmer was pictured drinking a beer. Could the pair be fined? C...

Is Pestminster back?

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This has been a bad week for the reputation of the House of Commons. From inappropriate comments toward female MPs, three cabinet ministers facing sex...

Will MPs be hit by another sleaze scandal?

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris has started an investigation after a female Tory MP reported that she had seen a male colleague watching pornograph...

Can the Cabinet really solve the 'cost of living' crisis?

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today a pre-briefing on what Boris Johnson plans to say to the Cabinet about the cost of living crisis was released. He wants them to brainstorm ideas...

What does Macron's victory mean for Anglo-French relations?

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

French President, Emmanuel Macron secured victory over the weekend. But with the election over, will we see a reset in relations between the UK and Fr...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 24/04/22

24 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Sir Keir Starmer, Oliver Dowden and Jamie Wallis.Become a Spectator subscr...

Why are most Tory MPs so quiet over partygate?

23 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

At the beginning of the year, letters from Conservative MPs looked to be reaching the 54 threshold needed to trigger a no-confidence vote in Boris Joh...

What's behind Boris's trip to India?

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson has met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to discuss defence, energy and trade ties. Will he be able to secure a trade deal with Indi...

Why did No. 10 U-turn on the vote?

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The government's response to Labour wanting to refer the Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee – who could then rule that he mislead the Common...

Will Tory MPs rebel in partygate vote?

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tomorrow there will be a vote in the Commons where Labour is pushing for an investigation into whether Boris Johnson is in contempt of Parliament over...

Boris says sorry. Is it enough?

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson faced MPs today for the first time since he was issued a fine for breaking lockdown rules. He apologised in the Commons, but maintained ...