Coffee House Shots

What is the secret to Boris Johnson's political survival?

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cindy Yu, Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls discuss the Prime Minister's remarkable ability to keep his head above the surface of even the choppiest water...

Is the government's Rwandan immigration plan viable?

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week the government has announced a pilot scheme meant to address the increasing number of asylum seekers dangerously crossing the English Channe...

Has Boris got away with it?

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After the news of the fixed penalty notices, Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson and Rishi Sunak paid their fines and issued a public apology. For...

Boris and Rishi fined: what happens now?

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have been told that they are going to be fixed penalty notices by the Metropolitan Police over parties held in Downing S...

Are Tories faced with another sleaze scandal?

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Crispin Blunt, a Conservative MP, was forced to apologise today after he tweeted support last night for Imran Ahmad Khan, another Tory MP who was foun...

Have Tory MPs turned on Rishi?

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak has referred himself to Boris Johnson’s ethics advisor to investigate whether he followed the rules on ministers' interests. After the r...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 10/04/22

10 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's politics shows. Today's podcast features Kit Malthouse, Yvette Cooper, Caroline Lucas and Ihor Zh...

Is Macron in for a surprise?

09 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of the first round of France's presidential elections on Sunday, Katy Balls asks whether Emmanuel Macron will be able to justify his apparent di...

Can the Chancellor recover?

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Rishi Sunak star seems to be falling further every day. The latest revelation is that he and his wife, Akshata Murthy held American green cards fo...

Is the energy strategy a missed opportunity?

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The government is publishing its long-awaited energy security strategy today, but Labour has criticised it for the strategy's lack of action on onshor...

What’s behind Sunak’s poll slide?

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The National Insurance hike comes into effect today which is going to hit doubly hard when coupled with the ever-increasing cost of living. While we a...

Should Channel 4 be privatised?

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There has been a wave of backlash against the government's announcement that it intends to privatise Channel 4. What's behind their decision? Some arg...

Could Boris ditch net zero?

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The government will publish its long-awaited energy security strategy this Thursday. The plan, which has been repurposed since Putin's invasion of Ukr...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 03/04/22

03 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from the day's political shows, with Sergey Nikiforov, Grant Shapps, Jonathan Reynolds, Alicia Kearns, Herman Halu...

What does victory for Ukraine look like?

02 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week it looks like the war in Ukraine is turning. The Ukrainian resistance has moved from the defensive to the offensive against their invaders a...

Does national security need to be redefined?

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The cost of living crisis became a reality as millions today face a £700 per year price hike to their energy bills. What can the government do to sup...

Can Boris convince Nato to send tanks?

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've learnt from a speech this morning from GCHQ director Jeremy Fleming that the Russian army is in even more disarray than was previously thought. ...

Have the Tories forgiven Boris for partygate?

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Despite the fines issued yesterday, Keir Starmer's attacks at Prime Minister's Questions today failed to land on Boris Johnson. In part, this was down...

Will we find out who got fined?

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Partygate is back in the news with fines being issued by the Metropolitan Police to twenty individuals. But this is not the end of the matter, this is...

Can the UK become energy independent?

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

During the tail end of his Europe trip, President Biden stated of Vladimir Putin 'for God's sake, this man cannot remain in power.' This was quickly w...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 27/03/22

27 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the best bits from Sunday's politics shows, with today's guests Nadhim Zahawi, Jonathan Ashworth, Mariia Mezentseva and Franc...

Are Rishi's No. 10 dreams dashed?

26 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For the last two years, Rishi Sunak has appeared the frontrunner in any future Tory leadership election. But has his spring statement and damaged his ...

Is Nato still unified?

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister has just returned from a Nato meeting in Brussels. So far, the alliance's members have been unified in their response to Russia, bu...

Did the spring statement go far enough?

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Well the papers haven't been too kind about Rishi Sunak's spring statement. To unpack if it truly deserves this level of vitriol Cindy Yu talks to Jam...

Is there a stealth tax hidden in the spring statement?

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While on the surface there might seem like a lot to like in Rishi Sunak's spring statement. Yes, the NI tax increase is still there, but the tax thres...

What are Sunak’s motives on the NI rise?

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tomorrow is the spring statement. The proposed NI rise set to be outlined in it has been described by the Labour leader Keir Starmer as a 'cynical' mo...

Was Boris’s Ukraine/Brexit comparison a mistake?

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Over the weekend, Boris Johnson sparked a wave of criticism after he linked the Ukraine crisis to Brexit. During his speech at the Conservative Party'...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 20/03/22

20 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, ahead of the Chancellor's Spring Statement on Wednesday, with Rishi Sunak, Rach...

Is a boost to defence spending feasible?

19 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As Rishi Sunak finalises his Spring Statement, how can he resolve the trilemma of an ageing society, no peace dividend and low growth? Meanwhile, ther...

Is partygate no longer an issue for Boris Johnson?

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Tory spring conference is this weekend. Before the invasion of Ukraine, when partygate dominated the headlines, it was predicted to have the feel ...

Why has P&O ferries laid off its staff?

17 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today P&O ferries announced to 800 staff that they were being made redundant with immediate effect as security mounted to ferries to escort the staff ...

Why has Iran finally released Zaghari-Ratcliffe from prison?

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After 6 years in jail, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been released and will return home from Iran to her husband and their seven-year-old daughter. Th...

Will Saudi oil really fix Britain's energy crisis?

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson is travelling to the Middle East tonight, where he'll be meeting Gulf leaders and trying to convince them to pump more oil. With Britain...

Will Boris Johnson charm the Saudis?

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine has caused the prices of oil and gas to skyrocket. One of the Prime Minster's strategies to combat this appears to be ...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 13/03/22

13 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with Michael Gove, Sir Keir Starmer and Polish president Andrzej Duda. Become ...

Why isn't the UK doing more to help Ukrainian refugees?

12 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Andrews and Fraser Nelson discuss the government's feet-dragging response to allowing Ukrainians easier entry to the UK.Become a Spectator subscr...

What’s the point of the latest sanctions?

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While the world is hearing mummers that Vladimir Putin is considering using chemical weapons in Ukraine, the UK government has imposed sanctions on hu...

What is the significance of the sanctioning of Roman Abramovich?

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After seemingly dragging its heels for weeks, the government is ramping up its individual sanction measures against those close to the Kremlin. When R...

What’s behind the Tory revolt on refugee relief?

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While Europe opens its arms up to the Ukrainians fleeing war, the UK is taking a much slower approach. While people are allowed to come in relatively ...

Will Zelensky's intervention change the mood among MPs?

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Former Speaker of the House, John Bercow has been banned from the Commons after the publishing of a review that reveals the extent of his bullying beh...

Ukraine: how bad will UK energy prices get?

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the Russian invasion enters its twelfth day, fuel prices hit new records in the UK. Global leaders are preparing for the worst, is the UK braced fo...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 06/03/22

06 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, which today featured Dominic Raab, Sir Keir Starmer, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, ...

Will Europe remain united against Putin?

05 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Andrews talks to James Forsyth and the historian Orlando Figes about whether Europe's united response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine will hol...

Russia's invasion: One week on

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's been just over a week since Vladimir Putin began his invasion of  Ukraine and in that time we have seen some truly unprecedented events: A forme...

Why is the UK so slow in sanctioning oligarchs?

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Though Britain has been sending weapons to Ukraine, and led Europe's push to get Russia taken out of the Swift banking system, the government has been...

What cards does the West have left to play?

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Why is a no-fly zone a no go?

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

During a press conference in Poland today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was confronted by Ukrainian journalist and campaigner Daria Kaleniuk, who took...

Has Putin underestimated the West?

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 27/02/22

27 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from today's political shows, featuring Liz Truss, David Lammy and Sir Chris Deverell. Become a Spectator sub...

What is Sunak's economic vision?

26 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and Tony Danker, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), about the Chancellor's Mais le...

Are Russia's oligarchs the key to stopping Putin?

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 co...

Ukraine under siege - what now?

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Vladimir Putin has launched an attack on multiple fronts across Ukraine. In a televised speech, the Russian leader announced a 'military operation' in...

Are UK sanctions all bark no bite?

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 annou...

Russia invades: what comes next?

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last night Vladimir Putin gave an hour-long television address to the Russian people over his decision to move troops into Ukraine. Amid international...

Will Brits with Covid still self-isolate?

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 20/02/22

20 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with today's guest stars including Boris Johnson, Wes Streeting and Michelle O'...

Could Nick Clegg end up as the most powerful man in Britain?

19 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The government's Online Safety Bill could be about to hand social media giants even more powers over journalism and free speech. Katy Balls speaks to...

Should Boris scrap free Covid tests?

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Is Rayner in trouble with Labour?

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Angela Rayner received an outburst of criticism today after her views on shooting terrorists went viral. The deputy Labour leader is known for her col...

What will be the cost of sanctions against Russia?

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Biden has set out his intentions to impose sanctions against Russia should Putin decide to launch an invasion against Ukraine. Are European countr...

Can the government solve the cost of living crisis?

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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. Meanwh...

Why do the Americans think war is imminent?

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 meani...

Cindy Yu's Sunday Roundup - 13/02/22

13 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cindy Yu rounds up the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with Brandon Lewis, Yvette Cooper, Derek Chollet and Zoë Billingham.Become a Spectat...

Does Europe need to get used to dealing with Russia?

12 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Who will replace Cressida Dick?

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 wi...

Should Liz Truss have gone to Russia?

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Foreign Secretary's trip to Moscow today ended with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, walking out of their joint press conference. Did the ...

Will there ever be a break in the partygate scandal?

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

What to make of the mini reshuffle?

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A mini reshuffle has happened, but this time nobody has been fired. Is this an advertisement of Boris Johnson being strategic? Or is it more an advert...

Will Boris's new appointments win over backbenchers?

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On Saturday night, No. 10 announced two new appointments: Steve Barclay would become chief of staff, and Guto Harri would become director of communica...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 06/02/22

06 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Featured today are Kwasi Kwarteng, Iain Duncan Smith, David Lammy, Sir Jeffrey Dona...

What happens in a vote of no confidence?

05 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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'...

Who will fill the vacuum in No. 10?

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 – announc...

What does the latest No. 10 resignation mean?

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Munira Mirza, Downing Street's head of policy, has resigned over Boris Johnson’s Jimmy Savile attack on Keir Starmer.Katy Balls talks to James Forsy...

Was the levelling up white paper worth the wait?

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While Westminster politicians and journalists alike continue to predict exactly how many letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson have been officiall...

Have Tory MPs forgiven Boris?

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

What does the Gray report mean for Boris?

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The long anticipated Sue Gray report was finally published today albeit lacking significant chucks of details. Following the report Boris Johnson made...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 30/01/22

30 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman showcases the best bits from Sunday's interview shows. In the spotlight today are Liz Truss, Lisa Nandy and Sir Ed Davey.Become a Spect...

Can Boris save his premiership?

29 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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'...

Will Sue Gray's report be a whitewash?

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today the Met Police requested that Sue Gray's report makes 'minimal reference' to the events in her inquiry, whilst there is an ongoing police invest...

Who authorised Pen Farthing's animal rescue operation?

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 be...

How much longer to wait for Gray?

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The view on the Tory benches at the moment seems to be consistently ‘wait for Gray’ before they decide whether or not they will send a letter of n...

What does the police probe mean for Boris?

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The latest in the scandal of Downing Street parties points to the Prime Minister’s own birthday, where a gathering took place in the Cabinet Office....

How damaging are Nusrat Ghani's claims?

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Over the weekend the MP Nusrat Ghani accused the government of sacking her because allegedly her Muslim faith was an issue, and they thought she didn'...

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

23 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Dominic Raab, Emily Thornberry, Nicola Sturgeon and Vadym Prystaiko. Beco...

What is Vladimir Putin up to?

22 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and the Spectator's Russia correspondent Owen Matthews about the buildup of forces on the border with Ukraine.  Beco...

Did Boris's whips go too far?

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After Christian Wakeford's defection to Labour, Boris Johnson looks to be in the clear – for now. The Prime Minister's backbenchers, though, are sti...

Did Tory whips blackmail Red Wall MPs?

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the Prime Minister has a stay of execution after the pork pie plot came to nothing, today allegations are flying that Tory whips have been using un...

Is Boris safe for now?

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last night rumours were flying around Westminster that letters of no confidence from Tory MPs were pouring in and Boris might be leaving sooner rather...

Will Red Wall MPs turn on Boris?

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To keep Partygate alive, Dominic Cummings has released fresh accusations on his blog about Boris Johnson, who he claims knew about the parties taking ...

Will Operation Red Meat work?

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tory MPs have just returned from their constituencies after a weekend of persuading voters to support their party in the May local elections. It’s n...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 16/01/22

16 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with interviewees Sir Keir Starmer, Oliver Dowden, and Iain Duncan Smith and Kurt V...

After Boris, who?

15 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls, James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson discuss what happens if Boris Johnson's premiership is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of Downing Street p...

Is Boris to blame for No. 10’s party culture?

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's been revealed that two more parties took place in No. 10 during the pandemic. This time, on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral. While the Prime M...

Is the cabinet really behind Boris?

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After a hard PMQs for Boris Johnson which included multiple MPs calling for his resignation, the cabinet took to the media to show support for their e...

Have Tory MPs finally had enough?

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson has finally commented on the accusations of a Downing Street garden party held in the first lockdown. Yet his defence – 'I believed im...

Can Boris survive another Partygate scandal?

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another day, another party scandal at No.10. ‘Bring your own booze’ said Martin Reynolds, the Prime Minster's private secretary in a leaked email ...

How soon will Plan B restrictions lift?

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With some early signs that the Omicron threat is waning, talk has begun around Westminster as to when we can get rid of the remaining Covid restrictio...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 09/01/22

09 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the first Sunday interviews roundup of the year. Highlights from today feature Nadhim Zahawi, Rachel Reeves and Dr Clive Kay....

Could the Cabinet save Boris's premiership?

08 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Despite a torrid time for the Prime Minister's popularity over the last few months, there may be a political revival on the horizon. His decision not ...

Have Boris's 'lost' texts fuelled the sleaze scandal?

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The ‘lost’ texts sent by Boris Johnson to Lord Brownlow over his Downing Street flat refurbishment continues to dominate the headlines today. As t...