Coffee House Shots

Will the Greensill scandal hurt Boris?

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A civil servant advised Greensill Capital while still working in government, it emerged yesterday evening. Is the scandal hurting Boris Johnson, or ju...

Why is Boris talking down vaccines?

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson today said that the fall in coronavirus hospitalisations and deaths 'has not been achieved by the vaccination programme'. After pubs, re...

What's next in the David Cameron scandal?

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

David Cameron finally issued a statement over the weekend on the ongoing Greensill scandal. Gordon Brown also waded in this morning, telling the Today...

Have we almost achieved herd immunity?

10 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The government's vaccination plan is clearly to achieve herd immunity. So why won't anyone say that? Katy Balls talks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsy...

Could Cameron's Greensill lobbying damage Rishi Sunak?

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Treasury has released text messages that the Chancellor sent to David Cameron, in response to the latter's repeated lobbying. While Labour is tryi...

The complicated background to the Belfast unrest

08 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Last night violence in Belfast escalated - petrol bombs were thrown, a bus was hijacked and children as young as 13 were reportedly getting involved. ...

Will AstraZeneca slow down the UK's reopening?

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Under-30s should be offered an alternative to the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, the UK's vaccine regulator said this afternoon. What does this mean for the ...

Is Boris being 'honest' on vaccine passports?

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The government needs to be 'honest' about vaccine passports, Labour's shadow health minister Jonathan Ashworth said today. Boris Johnson yesterday sai...

Is the exit roadmap still what it seemed?

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The next stage of lockdown easing is going as planned, but some caveats around international travel and vaccine passports are being floated for furthe...

Does vaccinated Britain really need mass testing?

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brits will be offered two lateral flow tests a week, it was announced last night. The expansion of testing, the government say, will allow those who h...

Does Sadiq Khan deserve a second term?

02 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about London's upcoming mayoral election. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast w...

Is Starmer really against vaccine passports?

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer said that needing a vaccine passport to go to the pub would go against 'British instinct', in an interview today. But is he really agains...

Does 'BAME' still make sense?

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today's report from the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities has made waves for its rejection of the existence of 'structural racism' in the UK, ...

Did police 'act appropriately' at the vigil?

30 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A report on the Met Police's handling of Sarah Everard's vigil has concluded that the force 'acted appropriately'. Was the conclusion a surprise, and ...

Will Salmond's new party help independence?

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Salmond has been building his new Alba Party over the weekend. Two SNP MPs have defected to the former party leader's side - is he helping furthe...

Katy Balls' Sunday Roundup - 28/03/21

28 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political programmes. Highlights today come from Oliver Dowden, Mark Drakeford, Nick Thomas-Symonds,...

Is Britain turning into a 'bio-security state'?

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After ruling out vaccine passports for most of this year, the government seems to be moving the goalposts with little discussion. Fraser Nelson writes...

What should the government do about China's sanctions?

26 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

China has sanctioned nine Brits and four British entities in retaliation to sanctions imposed by the West earlier this week. What should the governmen...

Will Covid restrictions really end in June?

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today Matt Hancock refused to rule out not bringing the government's Covid emergency powers back for another renewal vote in September, while the Prim...

Are summer holidays abroad off the table?

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What's the point of vaccinating the population, if fear of new strains will prevent a return to normality when it comes to air travel? That's the ques...

Can Anas Sarwar stop the SNP?

23 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Sturgeon today survived a confidence vote brought forward by the Scottish Conservatives. Newly elected Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said ...

How will Boris respond to the EU's vaccine threats?

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Overnight the European Commission's rhetoric on vaccine export bans hotted up. In the run up to Thursday's meeting between European leaders to discuss...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 21/03/21

21 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with clips from Steve Baker, Ben Wallace, Mairead McGuinness, Lisa Nandy and Jo...

Should Britain engage in vaccine diplomacy?

20 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

America has belatedly joined the vaccine diplomacy arena, the progress of which by Russia and China has been covered by The Spectator. On this episode...

What's next for Sturgeon?

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Sturgeon misled the Scottish Parliament, a special Holyrood committee concluded yesterday. In a defiant response, the First Minister said that ...

Will the EU go through with its threat of blocking vaccines?

18 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The European Medicines Agency has announced that the Oxford-Astrazeneca jab is safe after all. In light of this, will the European Commission go throu...

What’s behind the EU’s vaccine flip flop?

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ursula von der Leyen today said that the EU could block vaccine shipments to the UK if it doesn't export AstraZeneca jabs to the bloc. The Commission'...

Is Boris being too soft on China?

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Starting 'a new Cold War on China' would be 'a mistake', Boris Johnson said today as he set out the government's integrated defence review. The milita...

Will Tories kickback on new police powers?

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick is facing calls to resign after women were forcibly removed from Saturday's vigil for Sarah Everard. It...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 14/03/21

14 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Victoria Atkins, Jess Phillips, Diane Abbott and Sir Ian Diamond. Become a Sp...

Life as a Lobby journalist

13 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Lobby refers to the group of political journalists with access to the Palace of Westminster. On this episode, three former Lobby hacks - Fraser Ne...

What’s behind the UK’s EU export slump?

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Britain's exports to the EU fell by 40 per cent in January 2021, new figures from the ONS show. Are the numbers a real reflection of post-Brexit trade...

Why Scottish independence is not inevitable

11 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A number of polls in recent days have shown a majority support for Scotland staying in the UK. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about ho...

Was that Keir Starmer's best PMQs?

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer pushed the PM on the 1 per cent pay rise for nurses at PMQS today. Did shorter, snappier questions bring results for the Labour leader? I...

Sunak's NHS pay rise headache

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

NHS chief Simon Stevens today confirmed that the health service budgeted for a 2.1 per cent pay rise this year (rather than the 1 per cent being recom...

Will the government respond to Harry and Meghan interview?

08 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The government has so far kept quiet about Harry and Meghan's shocking interview with Oprah, in which - among other revelations - the couple claimed t...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 07/03/21

07 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the best bits from Sunday's interview shows, with Gavin Williamson, Jonathan Ashworth, Lisa Nandy and Dr Susan Hopkins.  Be...

Is an early election on the cards?

06 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With economic growth of over seven percent forecast for 2022, could 2023 be an election year? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth abo...

Is a one per cent pay rise fair?

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Unions are threatening strike action after the government recommended a one per cent pay increase for nurses in England. Will the backlash force a U-t...

Budget Day Two: Has Rishi survived the scrutiny?

04 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Day Two is sometimes when the budgets come unravelled. But Rishi Sunak's Budget seems to have survived the scrutiny of the polls, pundits and papers. ...

Will Rishi Sunak's budget give Britain a boost?

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged a further £65bn in today's budget, bringing the government's total spending during coronavirus to more than £400bn. B...

Will Brand Rishi take a hit?

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak has been a popular Chancellor, mainly because he's responsible for pandemic giveaway after giveaway. But with tomorrow's Budget, the tone ...

Can the government contain the Brazilian variant?

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Contact tracers are trying to find a person infected with the Brazilian variant of coronavirus, after they incorrectly returned their testing form. Ho...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 28/02/21

28 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the best bits from Sunday's interviews shows, with highlights coming from Rishi Sunak, Anneliese Dodds and Anas Sarwar. Beco...

What did we learn from Alex Salmond's evidence?

27 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls, James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson discuss Alex Salmond's appearance before the Holyrood inquiry into how the Scottish government handled com...

Tory nerves grow over Sunak's budget

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Chancellor is expected to announce tax hikes in next week's budget as he looks to bolster the public purse and reassure markets. With capital gain...

Will teacher assessed grades work?

25 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Teachers will assess pupil's grades next year, the Education Secretary said today. Has the decision come too late, and will it disadvantage students? ...

Will Gove greenlight immunity passports?

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Gove will lead a government review into immunity passports. Does his appointment make IDs a foregone conclusion, what will they look like, and...

Sturgeon versus Salmond

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Salmond has pulled out from his appearance in front of the harassment complaints committee, where he was expected to give evidence about an alleg...

The lockdown roadmap explained

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson has finally set out his roadmap for easing lockdown. On the episode, Katy Balls talks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth about what to ...

Has Carrie divided No. 10?

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yet more personnel changes have happened in Downing Street, with Oliver Lewis the latest to depart. The weekend papers were full of briefings that Car...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 21/02/21

21 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's interview shows. Featured today are Matt Hancock, Sir Keir Starmer, John McDonnell, The Most Rev...

Boris's climate conundrum

20 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

While coronavirus has dominated the last year in politics, domestic issues are creeping back onto the agenda. Near the top of the list is reaching Net...

Has Macron stolen Boris's G7 thunder?

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emmanuel Macron has said wealthy nations should begin donating up to five per cent of their vaccines to Africa. It comes as Boris Johnson hosts a virt...

Why Starmer is no modern day Beveridge

18 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today's speech from the Labour leader was billed to be 'Beveridge-style'. On the podcast, Kate Andrews tells Katy Balls and James Forsyth why it was n...

Why is the government banking on lateral flow tests?

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's not the Forsyth Spit Bucket, but it may help us ease lockdown. Cindy Yu talks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls about why the government is banking...

Will rapid testing bring back nightclubs?

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nadhim Zahawi this morning said that scientists are working on rapid Covid tests to reopen large events. The vaccine deployment minister said that 'ne...

What does Boris’s ‘cautious’ approach mean for lockdown easing?

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Despite the UK hitting its target of giving 15 million people their first vaccine dose by 15 February, Boris Johnson said the path to reopening will b...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 14/02/21

14 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political programmes. Today's interviews featured Dominic Raab, Professor John Watson, Mark Drakefor...

Is the government doing enough to fix the cladding crisis?

13 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With the government facing a backbench revolt over how to fix the pressing issue of unsafe cladding on high rise buildings, Katy Balls asks Conservat...

Will the economy bounce back after lockdown?

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Despite the GDP figures from the ONS today, the Bank of England's chief economist Andy Haldane has written an optimistic commentary today, arguing why...

Are Tory lockdown-sceptics returning in force?

11 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After a brief winter hibernation, it seems that the lockdown-sceptic wing of the Conservative party is returning in force. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Ball...

Boris Johnson sets out the new normal on vaccines

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At PMQs today, Boris Johnson said the public would need to 'get used to the idea of vaccinating and then revaccinating in the autumn, as we come to fa...

China hawks suffer a setback

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The government has managed to delay a backbench rebellion on the so-called 'genocide amendment' today, using what Iain Duncan Smith called 'arcane pro...

Should the government be more concerned about the South African variant?

08 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Latest research from the University of Oxford shows that their vaccine has 'minimal protection' against the South African variant of the coronavirus. ...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 07/02/21

07 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political programmes. Today's contributions come from Nadhim Zadhawi, Ed Miliband, Andy Burnham ...

Will Boris Johnson's Northern Ireland gamble pay off?

06 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sensing an opportunity after the EU triggered Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the British government is in talks with the EU over comprom...

Should schools return in February?

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some Sage scientists have broken rank to suggest that the falling infection rates mean that schools in England should go back at the end of this month...

What's the hold up in bringing in a quarantine system?

04 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's been weeks since the idea of a quarantine system was floated, yet nothing has been forthcoming on that front. Isabel Hardman asks James Forsyth a...

Boris's easy ride at PMQs

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At PMQs today, Keir Starmer denied Boris Johnson's claims that he wanted the UK to remain in the EU's vaccine procurement scheme. Could a successful d...

How the EU's vaccine rhetoric could backfire

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Another day, another dig from across the channel on the UK's vaccine reliability. Isabel Hardman talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about how this ...

Will Joanna Cherry's sacking strengthen Sturgeon?

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joanna Cherry was sacked from the SNP's Westminster frontbench today. The former justice spokesperson, who is an ally of Alex Salmond, was dropped as ...

Where the vaccine debate goes next

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The EU's row with AstraZeneca came to a head on Friday, with the bloc publishing its contract with the pharmaceutical giant and introducing vaccine ex...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 31/01/21

31 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the best of Sunday's political shows, with today's podcast featuring and Liz Truss, Micheál Martin, Rachel Reeves and Tony B...

How well is Keir Starmer doing?

30 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls and the New Statesman's Stephen Bush discuss how much of a splash Keir Starmer has made over the past 9 months. Hosted by Cindy Yu.  Beco...

Should Britain give away its vaccines?

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Novavax's vaccine has shown 89 per cent efficacy in UK trials. The government has bought 60 million doses of the jab, and it's expected that productio...

Why shouldn't the Prime Minister visit Scotland?

28 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson visits Scotland today. To nobody's surprise, Nicola Sturgeon has criticised the visit coming at this moment in the pandemic; while Keir ...

Will Tory MPs accept a March return of schools?

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In his statement to the Commons today, Boris Johnson suggested March 8 as a date for schools to return. This is earlier than some predictions but cert...

Could the EU's vaccines spat impact the UK's supply?

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the last 24 hours, the EU has threatened to place export controls on vaccines manufactured in the EU; while a German paper has been corrected by Be...

Why are ministers worried about borders now?

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The government's Covid-O group will be making a decision on the UK's border restrictions imminently. On the podcast, Isabel Hardman talks to James For...

Cindy Yu's Sunday Roundup

24 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cindy Yu presents the highlights from Sunday's interview shows. With clips from Nicola Sturgeon, Matt Hancock, Nick Thomas-Symonds and Arlene Foster.B...

How will history remember Brexit?

23 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In his upcoming book, the historian Robert Tombs writes that Brexit may not be the historically significant event we think it is. On the podcast, Katy...

Is the Cabinet divide on Covid back?

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Guardian reported today that the Department of Health is considering offering a £500 isolation fee to encourage more people with symptoms to get ...

Will the English lockdown last past Easter?

21 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No 10 refused to rule out the possibility today, and the Health Secretary has also refused to be drawn on whether or not the vaccinating the most vuln...

Will Theresa May's intervention be the first of many?

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Timed with the inauguration of Joe Biden, Theresa May has written an op-ed in the Daily Mail criticising her successor for his 'abandon of our global ...

Are Tory sinosceptics the real opposition?

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today the Commons debates the 'genocide amendment' to the Trade Bill, which would allow judges to restrict the government's ability to sign trade deal...

Why are the Tories split on universal credit?

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Commons will today see a debate over extending the universal credit uplift. While Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, wants the wee...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 17/01/21

17 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from the Sunday interview shows. Today's podcast features Dominic Raab, Sir Simon Stevens, James Comey, Jonatha...

Has the government reached a truce with the BBC?

16 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The new chairman of the BBC has been announced. It's not Charles Moore, or Paul Dacre, but a low-profile former banker called Richard Sharp. On the po...

Is the government underpromising on the vaccine rollout?

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A leaked Scottish government document suggested that all over-50s could be vaccinated by the end of March, and that UK has capacity to deliver 3.8 mil...

Is Boris's leadership really under threat?

14 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the backbench Covid Recovery Group, has warned that Boris Johnson's leadership will be 'on the table' unless he gives ...

Is Marcus Rashford a more effective opposition leader than Starmer?

13 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, has said today that a national voucher scheme for free school meals would return on Monday, after pictures ...

Do Covid rules need to be clearer?

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson has been criticised for taking a bike ride in the Olympic Park, seven miles away from Downing Street. Should the government make the Cov...

Has lockdown fatigue set in?

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Whitty said that hospitals will face 'the worst weeks of this pandemic' in a broadcast round this morning, as he implored Brits to keep social c...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 10/01/21

10 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the best of Sunday's interviews with highlights from Sir Keir Starmer, Matt Hancock, Tracy Nicholls and Peter Horby.Become a ...

Is Nigel Farage's new party about to make waves?

09 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

 Brexit is done, but Nigel Farage may well remain an influential force in British politics. With his rebranding of the Brexit Party to 'Reform UK' ap...

Could an overwhelmed NHS stall the vaccine rollout?

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said yesterday that 800 new patients are admitted to London hospitals with Covid-19 every day. Could pressure on t...

How should the government handle Trump?

07 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Last night's events in Washington DC has sent shockwaves around the world. Trump's obvious disregard for democracy was on show, leading to a normally ...

How many vaccinations are needed to end lockdown?

06 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The government has announced that 23 per cent of over 80s in England have now received their first dose of the Covid vaccine. With Boris Johnson and M...

Why are the UK's borders still open?

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Following the announcement of a third lockdown, a testing regime for arrivals could be put in place. It comes as Michael Gove said there would be anno...