Coffee House Shots

Queen Elizabeth II: coronation, reign and succession

10 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Freddy Gray, The Spectator's deputy editor, is joined by our former editor Charles Moore, and our political editor James Forsyth, to discuss the Queen...

Queen Elizabeth II, our remarkable monarch

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth and Katy Balls pay tribute to and reflect upon the life and reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Become a Spectator ...

How much will Truss's energy plan cost?

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today Liz Truss has announced in parliament an energy price cap to tackle rising bills. As of October, the average household energy bill will be froze...

Have Labour underestimated Truss?

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's Liz Truss's first full day as prime minister and, backed by a fully assembled cabinet, she has conducted her first Prime Minister's Questions wit...

Truss's cabinet: Who's in? Who's out?

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liz Truss has appointed her cabinet. Allies of Rishi Sunak are out, and the former foreign secretary's closest allies are in. What does this mean for ...

Was it a fond farewall for Boris Johnson?

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson finally departed Downing Street early this morning, but left the door slightly ajar on the prospect of a comeback. What will this mean f...

Liz Truss wins. What next?

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liz Truss has won the Conservative leadership race, and will become Britain's prime minister tomorrow. In a speech in Westminster this morning, after ...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 04/09/22

04 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman is back with the highlights from the Sunday interviews. Featured today are clips from Liz Truss, Nicola Sturgeon, Rishi Sunak, Emily Th...

Will the next PM be a good one?

03 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

James Forsyth speaks to Anthony Seldon, historian and biographer, about how the incoming PM can make their mark before the next general election.  Be...

Can Boris get himself off the hook from partygate?

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson has released legal advice that he received from Lord Pannick about the Commons investigation into partygate, where the lawyer said the i...

Can Boris leave a nuclear legacy?

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Despite a relatively quiet summer from the government, Boris Johnson has waded finally waded into the energy crisis, announcing £700 million of fundi...

Is Labour in trouble again with the rail strikes?

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today rail union leaders announced another round of strikes, this time to coincide with the Labour party conference. Is there a message here that they...

Will Boris be back?

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson is on his farewell tour but is remaining coy about the possibility of a political comeback. What problems will this throw up for the nex...

Is the NHS beyond repair?

27 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Andrews and Isabel Hardman discuss the challenges facing the NHS and whether the incoming government will be able to tackle these burdens when it...

How high will energy prices go?

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today Ofgem announced that household energy bills will climb to an average of £3,549 a year, starting in October. Have the government prepared Brits ...

Is Rishi heading for political Siberia?

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak has today confirmed that he will stay on as an MP if he loses the leadership contest, and that he will also vote for a Liz Truss budget. W...

Is Truss's social care pledge more borrowing in disguise?

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest leadership hustings, Liz Truss promised to take money away from the NHS to put into social care. But as Kate Andrews points out in this ...

Can only Corbyn fix the Tories?

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are only three hustings left in the Tory leadership race, after six weeks which have seen the party tear itself apart. What will fix the party? ...

Is Truss scared of the OBR?

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The focus is on Liz Truss's planned emergency budget. Over the weekend it was revealed that she wouldn't consult the Office for Budget Responsibility ...

A level results: is the system broken?

20 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman discusses the latest A level results and the impact on university places, with Fraser Nelson and student Lella Halloum. What more can t...

What does Mick Lynch want?

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The UK has been hit by another round of rail strikes today with rising inflation and falling wages a recipe for continued disruption in the public sec...

Is the Labour party in trouble?

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It seems like Labour has a problem when it comes to the size of its membership. It lost 91,000 members last year and recorded a £4.8 million deficit....

Inflation hits double digits: what next?

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The UK inflation rate is now at 10.1 per cent according to the Office for National Statistics. Is there much that the government can do to relieve its...

When will the inflation rate fall?

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

New figures released this week show that wages have fallen significantly behind the rising cost of living. Are we yet to see the extent of the impacts...

Would Starmer's energy plan work?

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has unveiled a £29 billion plan to freeze energy bills for six months. Under his proposals, the Labour leader said Brits would not face ...

Is Labour missing in action?

13 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth about why Sir Keir Starmer and his frontbench have been seemingly missing in action during the T...

Could Truss reverse the windfall tax?

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

'Profit is not a dirty word', Liz Truss said at last night's leadership hustings. The Foreign Secretary has made clear that she would prefer to cut ta...

Has the NHS winter crisis already arrived?

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Thirty thousand people waited 12 hours or more in A&E, new figures showed today – the highest number on record. The NHS usually runs into trouble du...

When will the blue-on-blue end?

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Tory contenders are expected to announce their own measures to protect households and businesses from the energy crisis. Why has it taken this lon...

How do you solve a problem like energy prices?

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss head to the Red Wall for hustings in Darlington this evening. Meanwhile, new figures released by Cornwall Insight on the ext...

Can the new PM hit the ground running?

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the leadership contest refocuses on the economy, Katy and James discuss each camp's plan to deal with the cost of living crisis. Are both candidate...

Is it just one crisis after another?

06 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman about the challenges facing the incoming Prime Minister, not least the dire forecast from the Ban...

Is the next PM ready for the coming economic crisis?

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of England's announcement to raise interest rates comes as the UK is predicted to fall into recession this year – with the lowest downturn ...

Does the Bank of England need to be reviewed?

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of England raised its rates by another half per cent today, as it warned that inflation will peak at 13 per cent by the end of this year. The...

Who's to blame for Boris's fall?

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's podcast, Katy Balls and James Forsyth discuss a sticking point for Rishi Sunak as he meets the membership – that he led a 'coup' to overt...

Has Liz Truss had her first stumble?

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liz Truss has U-turned on a public worker pay plan announced just last night – the idea being that pay would reflect the cost of living in regional ...

Has Keir Starmer lost control over strikes?

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This morning, Lisa Nandy defied party orders by joining a picket line in Wigan to support striking BT and Openreach staff. This comes after last week,...

Andrew Neil vs Rishi Sunak. What happened?

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak sat down this evening for a 30-minute interview with Andrew Neil. They covered the economy, the NHS, immigration and the former chancellor...

Is Truss unstoppable?

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak were in Leeds yesterday for the first of the leadership hustings in front of Tory members. Truss put in an assured performan...

Labour's trade union troubles

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You can always count on Labour to descend into civil war while the media is focused on the Conservative party's in-fighting. After Keir Starmer fired ...

Has Rishi U-turned on tax cuts?

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Having spent the last four debates suggesting that tax cuts are irresponsible and immoral, Rishi Sunak says he will cut VAT on energy bills if he beco...

Can Rishi turn things around?

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Yet another post debate poll, out today, shows that Tory members believe Liz Truss performed better in Monday evening's BBC debate. With the next week...

Truss vs Sunak: verdict on their first head to head

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth, Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls give their analysis and snap reaction to Monday evening's first head-to-head debate betwee...

Can the Tories come back together?

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Tory leadership contest is entering its third week, and becoming more bitter. Nadine Dorries, the culture secretary, today mocked Rishi Sunak for ...

Why does Thatcher loom over the Tory leadership race?

23 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman speaks to Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth and Matthew Parris about the influence Margaret Thatcher  exerts over the Conservative leadersh...

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...