Coffee House Shots
Episodes
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...
Who let the Mogg out?
06 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In yesterday's Cabinet debate, Jacob Rees-Mogg called on Boris Johnson to abandon the planned hike in national insurance, amid warnings of a looming c...
Did Rayner get the better of Boris?
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The first PMQs of 2022 was a little different. It was Angela Rayner’s turn to step up to the dispatch box whilst Keir Starmer is isolating having te...
New year new Keir?
04 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer arrived in Birmingham today to deliver his agenda-setting speech, outlining Labour's vision for the future. The opposition leader had to ...
Has England dodged lockdown?
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The government has delayed making any announcements about further Covid restrictions in the face of Omicron for weeks. But with more data coming in ev...
What happened at Boris's Covid Cabinet meeting?
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Boris Johnson chaired a Cabinet meeting yesterday to discuss the imposition of new Covid restrictions over Christmas. After three hours, the Prime Min...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 19/12/21
19 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from the final Sunday interview shows of the year. Today's podcast features Sajid Javid, Andrew Bridgen, Wes St...
Why David Frost resigned
19 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Boris Johnson once boasted that you couldn't hold a cigarette paper between him and David Frost, the man he brought on to take Brexit over the line. Y...
Can Boris make it to the next election?
18 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and James Johnson, the co-founder of the J. L. Partners polling company, about what the Conservative defeat in North...
How did the Tories lose North Shropshire?
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Conservative majority of 23,000 was wiped out overnight in North Shropshire, with Liberal Democrat Helen Morgan winning the by-election by nearly ...
Is this lockdown by stealth?
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today saw record numbers of Covid cases with infections higher than the January 2021 lockdown. In reaction to soaring cases, Boris Johnson held a pres...
Can Boris take back control?
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Last night Boris Johnson suffered the biggest rebellion of his Tory premiership. But, unlike his predecessor, he still managed to get his vote through...
What does a large rebellion mean for Boris?
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Christopher Whitty has told the public he expects a 'significant increase' in Omicron hospitalisations over the next few weeks. The chief medical offi...
How big could tomorrow's Tory rebellion be?
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls, James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about the contents of - and the potential fallout from - Boris Johnson's address to the ...
Cindy Yu's Sunday Roundup - 12/12/21
12 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cindy Yu hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with today's guests including Sir Keir Starmer, Nadhim Zahawi, Steve Baker and Dr Susan H...
Should Boris be worried about North Shropshire?
11 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman talks to Katy Balls and the New Statesman's Stephen Bush about the possibility of an upset next Thursday in the seat recently vacated b...
Is Boris in for a Christmas rebellion?
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Boris Johnson's problems are not going away anytime soon and he is facing extreme pressure on several fronts going into the weekend. Hypocrisy charges...
How much trouble is Boris in over his Downing Street flat?
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cindy Yu speaks to Isabel Hardman and Kate Andrews about the level of Conservative support for the Prime Minister after his latest Covid restrictions,...
What's Boris's new Covid plan?
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cindy Yu talks to Kate Andrews, Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about the contents of the Prime Minster's latest Covid press conference.Become a Spectato...
Partygate: how much trouble is Boris in?
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It is all kicking off in Westminster. A leaked video has emerged where the former Prime Minister's spokesperson is seen laughing when questioned abou...
How damning is the whistleblower's Afghanistan report?
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A new 40-page document written by Raphael Marshall, a former desk officer at the Foreign Office, depicts a disorganised mess in the handling of this y...
Will Boris's crime crackdown backfire?
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Boris Johnson is launching a week of crime-related government announcements. Tackling middle-class drug use tops the agenda today, and the Prime Minis...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 05/12/21
05 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Today's best bits come from Dominic Raab, Dame Rachel de Souza and Jim McMahon....
Should you snog a stranger?
04 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With the Omicron variant putting everyone on edge, there has been quite a bit of mixed messaging from the government about how we should all be conduc...
What's behind the reduced majority in Old Bexley and Sidcup?
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The by-election last night was a result for the Tories. However, their majority for this seat fell dramatically. Labour tried to badge it as good news...
Will the UK copy Europe with new Covid restrictions?
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of news coming out of Europe this week. From French President Emmanuel Macron calling Boris Johnson a clown, to more extreme Covid prevention me...
Is Boris in trouble over No.10's Christmas party?
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer went on the attack today at PMQs. The controversy over last years Christmas party resurfaced, with accusations that No.10 breached lockdo...
What's the aim of Labour's second reshuffle?
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Yesterday Keir Starmer's Labour Party announced a new reshuffle of its shadow cabinet. It just coincidentally happened on the same day Angela Rayner g...
How is the government handling Omicron?
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are slowly learning more and more about this new Covid variant, but it could be weeks before we know just how contagious and harmful it could be. W...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 28/11/21
28 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Guests today include Sajid Javid, Nicola Sturgeon and Lisa Nandy.Become a Spectator...
Is Macron weaponising the migrant crisis?
27 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The migrants that tragically lost their lives in the English Channel has caused Anglo- French relations to further deteriorate. There is a theory howe...
What is the Nu variant?
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A new Covid variant dubbed 'Nu' has been discovered in South Africa and the UK has already put travel restrictions in place. Though early tests have s...
Can Priti solve the migrant crisis?
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The 27 migrants that tragically lost their lives whilst trying to cross the English Channel have sparked urgent appeals for Priti to resolve the migra...
Did Starmer beat Boris?
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With multiple weeks of bad publicity and rumours of some Conservative MPs sending in letters of no confidence, today’s PMQs witnessed much more nois...
What's behind the social care rebellion?
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It has been a challenging week for Boris. Following the Peppa Pig speech, immediately after the Owen Paterson u-turn, the party may be starting to los...
Is the Prime Minister's shtick wearing thin?
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
During the last general election campaign, Boris Johnson's persona as the improvisational, brash, comedian was endearing to many voters and those in h...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 21/11/21
21 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with today's podcast featuring Sajid Javid, Nick Thomas-Symonds, Maroš Šefčov...
Is the UK facing a lockdown like Austria's?
20 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about the latest lockdown in Austria, the prospect of Germany following suit, and Austria's plans ...
How can Priti Patel stop migrant crossings?
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Priti Patel has blamed the European Union's freedom of movement for the 'mass migration crisis' that Britain is facing. In a visit to Washington, the ...
Are Conservatives disembarking the Boris train?
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The announcement of the Integrated Rail Plan has left many, including a number of Conservative MPs, disappointed due to the proposed new routes and no...
How long will the 'Tory Sleaze' scandal run?
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Now entering its second week, the foray around members of parliament holding second jobs shows no sign of dying down. And, unfortunately, it seems wha...
What do the new lobbying rules mean for MPs?
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Prime Minister has written to the Commons Speaker to propose new lobbying rules for MPs. While some may welcome the measure, like former PM Theres...
Was COP a flop?
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
COP26 is now over, but was it a flop? Even Alok Sharma, the President of COP26, apologised on the last day for 'the way this process has unfolded', as...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 14/11/21
14 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman brings you the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Clips today come from Alok Sharma, Ed Miliband, Angela Rayner and General Sir ...
Will levelling up split the Tories?
13 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Since the cabinet met on Thursday to map out their levelling up agenda, we take another look at what this ambiguous slogan really means and how import...
Can British troops fix Poland's migrant crisis?
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
British troops have been deployed to the Polish border as part of a ‘reconnaissance’ mission, as Poland tries to stop migrants crossing from Belar...
Why won't Boris apologise?
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After the government abandoned plans to overhaul the Commons standards rules, Rishi Sunak has said the government needs to 'do better'. Will the PM sh...
Is Britain a corrupt country?
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Boris Johnson today has said that Britain is not a corrupt country, but what does it mean that he felt the need to say that? On today's Coffee House S...
Should MPs have second jobs?
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Owen Paterson affair has is shining a light on the extra cash MPs earn on top of their £80,000 salary. One MP, Geoffrey Cox, earned nearly £1 ...
What are the plans to reform Commons rules?
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Over the weekend most media tore into the Owen Paterson affair, with a lot of talk about MPs' second jobs like those of Geoffrey Cox... ‘I think if ...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 07/11/21
07 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman takes you through the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with Sir Keir Starmer, Thangam Debbonaire, George Eustice and Dr Susan ...
What should be done about MPs and lobbying?
06 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Fraser Nelson talks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman about how MPs should clean up their act in the wake of Parliament's latest lobbying scandal. ...
How did Boris misjudge the Paterson backlash?
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Owen Paterson has resigned as an MP after being embroiled in a lobbying row. Allies of the Prime Minister have blamed the Chief Whip, Mark Spencer, fo...
How damaging is the Owen Paterson fiasco to the Tories' reputation?
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Owen Paterson story continues today with the government u-turning quicker than expected. This came after realising that allowing Tory MPs to mark ...
Has the government misstepped on the Paterson defence?
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The row over Owen Paterson has come to a head today as the amendment to lift his suspension - tabled by fellow Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom and back...
Will MPs save Owen Paterson?
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With the fishing war between the UK and France not necessarily over but at least at a ceasefire, today's Shots focuses on the Commons. Conservative MP...
How can we define COP26 success?
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
COP26 is officially underway with world leaders meeting this morning. But what can these presidents and prime ministers promise given their domestic p...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 31/10/21
31 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman brings you the best of Sunday's political interviews, with Alok Sharma, Ed Miliband, Tina Stege, Owen Paterson and Kemi Badenoch.Become...
Why have the fishing wars reignited?
30 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and the Paris-based journalist John Lichfield about the nature of the dispute between France and the UK over fishing r...
Should the NHS be prescribing e-cigarettes?
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The new year is fast approaching and if your resolution is to quit smoking, the taxpayer will now cover the cost for your new vape. Opinions differ on...
How was the Budget received?
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Budget was revealed yesterday, but what do Rishi Sunak's conservative colleagues make of it? To discuss this, another row with the French about fi...
Verdict: Rishi Sunak's Budget
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rishi Sunak's Budget, as much as it was trailed ahead of time, still had a couple of surprises - including a return of the 0.7 per cent aid budget and...
Why is the Speaker so cross?
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Budget week rolls on. But today in the house the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle voiced his displeasure at how much had been told to the press before tomorr...
What can we expect from Budget Week?
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's Budget Week and Rishi Sunak has already telegraphed a lot of what we can expect from it, branding it as a good news affair including NHS spending...
Cindy Yu's Sunday Roundup - 24/10/21
24 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cindy Yu presents the highlights from Sunday's politics shows, with Rishi Sunak, Rachel Reeves and Dr Katherine Henderson.Become a Spectator subscrib...
Is the inflationary tiger about to bite?
23 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Katy Balls talks to Kate Andrews and James Forsyth about the prediction from the Bank of England's chief economist that the UK's inflation rate could ...
What will Sunak reveal in next week's Budget?
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Chancellor is making final preparations to his Budget, announced next Wednesday. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls ab...
Who's to blame for the booster delay?
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Compared to our extremely strong vaccine rollout, the booster numbers are not doing so well. But what is causing the slow take-up? Cindy Yu is joined ...
Did Starmer win PMQs?
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There was a sombre tone as Boris Johnson faced Keir Starmer at the despatch box for PMQs. This was seen as one of the Labour leader's most successful ...
What is the Heat and Buildings Strategy?
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With COP26 fast approaching, the Heat and Buildings Strategy has been published today along with the Net Zero Strategy. But what do these papers mean ...
What have we learnt since Friday's attack?
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Parliament meets today to pay tribute to David Amess MP who was stabbed to death at his constituency surgery last week. But what have we learnt about ...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 17/10/21
17 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with clips from Priti Patel, Lisa Nandy, Gordon Brown, and Lindsay Hoyle. Bec...
Will the energy crisis ruin Christmas?
16 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the temperature starts to fall, the question for the global economy is: how long will energy prices remain high? Industrial production has already ...
Tory MP David Amess dies after constituency attack
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
David Amess, the MP for Southend West, has died after being stabbed at his constituency surgery. Essex Police say that a 25-year-old man has been arre...
How concerned should we be about the rising Covid numbers?
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With the R-number being higher than 1.0 for some days now, could we be seeing some of the least invasive covid restrictions being put back into place ...
Why is Sajid Javid picking a fight with doctors?
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
GPs have been promised £250 million to improve their services, but only if they increase face-to-face appointments. The Health Secretary must meet th...
Can Frost renegotiate the protocol?
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In an attempt to save the Northern Ireland Protocol, the EU has promised ‘very far reaching’ changes which are due to be revealed tomorrow. Domini...
What did we learn from the Covid report?
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Katy Balls and James Forsyth dissect the Covid report to see if anyone came out smelling like roses. They also look at the ongoing gas crisis and how ...
Will manufacturing shut down due to the energy crisis?
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With the energy crisis showing no signs of improving, many industries warned over the weekend that they may have to shut down some manufacturing point...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 10/10/21
10 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Kwasi Kwarteng, Jonathan Reynolds, Lord Heseltine and Dr Jenny Harries. Be...
How did Liz Truss become the star of Tory conference?
09 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about the rise of 'Trussmania' that seemed to be sweeping the Conservative party conference in Man...
Will the housing U-turn hurt the Tories?
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The former housing secretary, Robert Jenrick delivered a warning to his former colleagues in government yesterday that a failure to build new homes wi...
Is Boris back in business?
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Although Boris won over the audience during his conference speech, the opinion polls might say otherwise. Starmer's voice of reason could be starting ...
What was the point of Boris’s speech?
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Marking the end of the conference, Boris Johnson gave what James Forsyth describes as ‘the most Boris speech possible’. The Prime Minister set out...
Tories tussle over working from home
05 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It is day three at the Conservative party conference and, as Isabel says on the podcast, Boris Johnson started the day a ‘little tetchy’ on his mo...
LIVE at Conservative Party Conference
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Isabel Hardman and Fraser Nelson are joined by special guest, the American pollster Frank Luntz, in this episode of Coffee ...
What's the mood at Tory conference?
03 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Conservative party conference is underway, and Boris Johnson appeared on The Marr Show this morning to talk about the petrol crisis, the shortage ...
What's this EFFing crisis about?
02 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ministers are bracing for the ‘EFFing crisis’ - that’s energy, fuel and food. As shortages are set to continue for months ahead, the knock-on ef...
Is the petrol crisis good for the government?
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A shortage of HGV drivers has led to empty petrol pumps and talk that supermarket shelves could be empty come Christmas. Delivery firms want the gover...
Should Cressida Dick go?
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As Wayne Couzens receives his sentence today, Harriet Harman has called for Cressida Dick to resign over the Met's handling of the death of Sarah Ever...
Did Starmer’s speech save Labour conference?
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After a rocky few days, Sir Keir Starmer has delivered his first in person speech as Labour leader to conclude the 2021 Labour Party Conference. The 9...
Why is Labour ignoring the fuel crisis?
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With petrol and gas supply issues still continuing Labour doesn't seem to be focusing on this important issue gripping the nation. Instead, though Sta...
Does Labour have a message?
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With images of long queues at the petrol station dominating social media this weekend, not due to lack of petrol but lack of drivers, the Labour party...
Starmer distances himself from Rayner
26 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Angela Rayner said the government were 'homophobic, racist, misogynistic... scum' at a Labour party conference event this weekend. Responding to the r...
Will the energy crisis leave Britons cold?
25 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For this week's Saturday Coffee House Shots, Katy Balls, Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth sit down with John Kemp, senior energy analyst at Reuters to ...
What's causing the petrol shortage?
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
First gas, now petrol. The strange thing is there is no actual lack of petrol just a dearth of drivers to bring it to the stations. There are differin...
What was the point of Starmer's essay?
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer released a nearly 12,000-word essay about what he stands for as the Labour leader. But who was it for? And while Starmer braces himself f...
How did Dominic do at PMQs?
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With Boris Johnson still on his American trip, it was up to the deputies to cross swords in PMQs today. Dominic Raab, the newly-minted deputy prime mi...
What do Boris and Biden want?
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Prime Minister is in America to meet Joe Biden and discuss COP26 and the new Aukus security pact. But what do the two leaders hope to achieve? Als...
Why does the gas crisis matter so much?
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With many smaller energy companies folding because of a steep rise in the cost of gas, how long will it take before the bigger firms turn to the gover...