Coffee House Shots

What do special advisers actually do?

14 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic Cummings walked out of No. 10 Downing Street last night – but what did he actually do in there? Katy Balls is joined by Fraser Nelson and Pe...

Who will replace Dominic Cummings?

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson's chief aide has said that he'll be gone by Christmas – so what does that mean for Downing Street operations? Katy Balls is joined by ...

Has Vote Leave lost control?

12 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Downing Street has seen a day of backstabbing and counter-briefings after Dominic Cummings ally Lee Cain resigned as Boris Johnson's director of commu...

Could the vaccine trigger another Tory divide?

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Backbench Tory MPs are questioning the government's plan for rolling out the vaccine. Meanwhile, rumours over a new Downing Street chief of staff have...

Why is No. 10 so cautious about a Covid vaccine?

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Pfizer vaccine is being lauded by many as the silver bullet that could end the Covid crisis. Meanwhile, the UK has seen a record number of redunda...

Are we on the brink of a Covid vaccine?

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The drugs firm Pfizer has announced that its vaccine — currently in stage three trials — is 90% effective. Meanwhile, Britain and the EU are enter...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 08/11/20

08 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the best bits from Sunday's political programmes. Today's highlights come from Dominic Raab, General Sir Nick Carter, Sajid Ja...

Can the NHS cope with Covid?

07 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

At Thursday's coronavirus press conference, Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of the NHS, said a second wave 'is real and it's serious', as he warned...

Was the three tier system working all along?

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As Liverpool begins it's mass testing trial, ONS figures published today show that the coronavirus infection rate was fell in the week ending October ...

Has Rishi Sunak lost the argument?

05 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Chancellor announced new furlough measures today, something that he has long been opposed to. Katy Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and James Forsyth ...

Should the government take a stance on the US election?

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic Raab refused to comment on Donald Trump's claims of election 'fraud' this morning, after the President said he planned to contest the result i...

Is mass testing the way out of lockdown?

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As England heads into a second lockdown, today brings a glimmer of hope. Liverpool will be the first UK city to undergo mass testing, including a fast...

Why a Tory lockdown rebellion should worry Boris

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After Boris Johnson announced that England would be put into another nationwide lockdown this Thursday, backbench Tory MPs quickly made their oppositi...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 01/11/20

01 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Michael Gove, Sir Keir Starmer, David Miliband and Dame Carolyn Fairbairn....

Lockdown Part Two - Is England back to square one?

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls, James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson discuss the Prime Minister's latest announcement. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podc...

Is a second national lockdown imminent?

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The whole of England could be put into lockdown again, reports this morning claim, as coronavirus cases continue to rise at a rate above the worst-cas...

A glimpse of normality with Swedish historian Johan Norberg

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Andrews interviews Swedish historian Johan Norberg in a Stockholm cafe about what we can and can't learn from the Swedish Covid experience and th...

Will there be a Labour civil war?

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Though there are grumblings from the left of the Labour party over Corbyn's suspension, Keir Starmer has taken today to set the narrative in his favou...

Can the Labour left resist Keir Starmer?

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Labour is truly under new leadership as Jeremy Corbyn gets suspended from the party today. The left of the party is clearly not happy - but can they d...

Can Boris Johnson resist a national lockdown?

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

SAGE warned that the second wave of Covid-19 could be worse than the first, and that the whole of England could be in Tier-3 by Christmas, reports tod...

Is levelling up still viable in the age of Covid?

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

More than 50 Tory MPs have signed a letter organised by Jake Berry's Northern Research Group, urging the government to not forget its pledge to level ...

Is a free school meals U-turn inevitable?

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson said the government would 'do everything in our power' to ensure children wouldn't go hungry over Christmas, after backlash over their r...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 25/10/20

25 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman brings you the best of Sunday's political shows, with Brandon Lewis, Bernard Jenkin, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Vaughan Gething and Dr Antho...

Will there be a 'special relationship' under a Biden presidency?

24 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Many on this side of the pond and on the stateside believe that there is a natural affinity between Boris Johnson and Donald Trump. So what will Anglo...

What will tier three do to the North?

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tier three restrictions came into force in regions across the UK, including Greater Manchester, today. Blackpool Tower even lit up with an SOS message...

Has Rishi Sunak performed a U-turn?

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Chancellor's new economic package was much more generous than his previous plans, and when asked, Sunak insisted he was just reacting to the chang...

Can Starmer capitalise on Boris's lockdown woes?

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer seemed unable to land a definitive blow on Boris Johnson in PMQs this afternoon, after the government imposed a tier three lockdown in Ma...

Will coronavirus overwhelm Manchester's hospitals?

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

While the government has failed to strike a deal with Greater Manchester authorities to put the region into tier three, the Prime Minister is expected...

What will break the Manchester deadlock?

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government is today expected to announce whether Greater Manchester will be placed into a tier three lockdown after negotiations with Andy Burnham...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 18/10/20

18 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with clips from Andy Burnham, Michael Gove, Rachel Reeves, Kate Green and Jeremy Fa...

Kate Andrews: Why I switched to Biden

17 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Spectator's economics correspondent Kate Andrews talks to Freddy Gray about why she is voting for the Democrats with a heavy heart.Become a Specta...

Are we heading for no-deal again?

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson today told Brits to prepare for a no-deal Brexit, saying the European Union were 'not willing' to offer a Canada-style trade agreement. ...

Why has Boris's Covid strategy backfired in the North?

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, today slammed the government for attempting to put the region in the highest tier of Covid-19 restrictions,...

Will Boris be dragged into a second lockdown?

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A paper to be published by Sage scientists today claims that more than 7,000 lives could be saved if the government imposes a two-week 'circuit breake...

Is the government no longer 'following the science'?

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New documents from Sage show minutes from late September in which scientists advised a circuit breaker lockdown. It's clear that the government didn't...

Will the three-tier system backfire on Boris?

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A three-tier system of coronavirus restrictions is set to be announced today, but the government is still locked in negotiations with local authoritie...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 11/10/20

11 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with clips from Robert Jenrick, Nicola Sturgeon, Jonathan Reynolds and Council...

What's behind Labour's coronavirus strategy?

10 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

John Connolly, Katy Balls and Patrick Maguire discuss Sir Keir Starmer's shift in approach to the government's Covid measures. Become a Spectator sub...

Will Rishi's economic measures be enough to save businesses?

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today the Chancellor will announce new economic packages targeted at the areas under lockdown. But will the measures go far enough to save businesses,...

What will the North's new restrictions look like?

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Overnight, news broke of the three-tier system that the government has in store for the country. First to be put into the strictest tier is likely to ...

What's behind Sturgeon's coronavirus crackdown?

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Sturgeon today announced that 3.4 million Scots will be placed under increased Covid restrictions, with bars and restaurants shutting across a ...

Is Boris's outlook all sunshine and no substance?

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson gave his headline speech to an empty hall in the virtual Tory conference today. But despite promises to 'Build Back Better', was the spe...

Are test and trace woes overshadowing the Covid response?

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

More than 15,000 positive tests were missed in a test and trace blunder, it was revealed today. With the government announcing a new 'traffic light' l...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 04/10/20

04 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today's highlights come from Boris Johnson, Jonathan Ashworth, Douglas Ross, Sir Christopher Meyer and Nigel Farage. Become a Spectator subscriber to...

Is there still hope for Unionism?

03 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The SNP has had a torrid week as the inquiry into Alex Salmond's trial came to a head, topped off with MP Margaret Ferrier's Covid breach. But Nicola ...

How much does Margaret Ferrier's Covid breach threaten the SNP?

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Margaret Ferrier has admitted that she travelled across the country despite having tested positive for Covid. Given that the SNP has had some of the s...

Are local authorities fighting back against Covid restrictions?

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Middlesborough's mayor, Andy Preston, today refused to accept the government's decision to place households in the town under a local lockdown. Accusi...

Is the whack-a-mole lockdown strategy working?

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer attacked Boris Johnson in PMQs today over the effectiveness of local lockdowns, saying in some areas 'things are getting worse not better...

Live at Alternative Conference

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister was forced to apologise this afternoon after misstating new lockdown rules brought into force overnight in the North East. Is gover...

Can the government avoid a showdown with Tory backbenchers?

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Graham Brady's amendment to give backbenchers a vote over new coronavirus restrictions looks set to pass through the Commons this week, provided it is...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 27/09/20

27 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the best of Sunday's political shows, with highlights coming from Steve Baker, David Lammy, Oliver Dowden, Dame Carolyn Fairb...

Is Rishi Sunak on the path to No. 10?

26 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In her Telegraph column this week, Katy Balls writes about the Chancellor who everybody loves. But the road to No. 10 is not easy - what are the pitfa...

Why even moderate Tories are voting against No. 10

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, has tabled an amendment to the government's Coronavirus Act to force a vote in Parliament on any new...

Rishi Sunak slowly turns the taps off

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After new restrictions were announced this week by the prime minister, Rishi Sunak today unveiled his Winter Economy Plan. Telling the Commons that he...

Should the government admit its mistakes?

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In a televised address to the nation last night, Boris Johnson hailed Britain as a 'freedom loving country', but said that a lack of adherence to exis...

Can the lockdown hawks stave off further restrictions?

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson today warned that Britain has 'reached a perilous turning point' in its battle with coronavirus, as he ordered pubs to close at 10pm and...

Why won't Vallance and Whitty answer any questions?

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In a Downing Street statement this morning, Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance presented their take on the latest coronavirus data. Speaking without a ...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 20/09/20

20 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman rounds up the best of Sunday's interview shows, with clips coming from Matt Hancock, Sir Keir Starmer, Bob Woodward and Len McCluskey.B...

What does Europe teach the UK about a Covid second wave?

19 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As the UK seems to enter a second wave of coronavirus infections, Europe is again the guide on the trajectory of the virus and the best strategy to ta...

What's the point of a two-week lockdown?

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government is reportedly considering the short-term reintroduction of nationwide social restrictions to halt the spread of coronavirus. Will a two...

The impossibility of Moonshot without fixing test and trace

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government has promised to deliver a nationwide mass testing programme by the beginning of next year, claiming it could offer a route out of conti...

Has the government's Brexit plot backfired?

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government's Internal Market Bill won't reach the House of Lords until after the October EU Council, James Forsyth tells Katy Balls and Fraser Nel...

Can the government fix the testing meltdown?

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Amid reports of local testing shortages, Matt Hancock told MPs today that the system is facing an 'enormous challenge' after a 'sharp rise' in demand....

Can Boris stave off a Tory Brexit rebellion?

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Former attorney general Geoffrey Cox has today warned that the Internal Markets Bill could cause 'unconscionable' damage to the UK's international sta...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 13/09/20

13 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday's political interviews. Today's featured interviewees are Robert Buckland, Simon Coveney, Louise Ha...

Will Ireland stump a Brexit deal?

12 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The EU said it could walk away from trade talks after the government announced that it planned to break international law in its Internal Markets Bill...

The growing Tory unease over lockdown

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As England heads into stricter lockdown measures shortly, James Forsyth talks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about the growing unease amongst backben...

Are the Brexit talks about to break down?

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The EU gave an ultimatum today that, unless the UK shelved its Internal Market Bill within three weeks, it would be taking legal action against the go...

Is Britain facing a second Covid crackdown?

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson held a press conference this afternoon to announce that only groups of six or smaller would be able to meet from Monday. The new restric...

How will Tory MPs react to No. 10's Brexit law breach?

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As Michel Barnier arrives in London for another round of trade talks, Brandon Lewis today said that government plans to reinterpret the Brexit withdra...

Will the hardline Brexit approach work?

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson last night issued a warning to the European Union that Brexit negotiations must be concluded by October 15 or Britain will walk away. Wi...

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 06/09/20

06 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Isabel Hardman returns with the highlights from Sunday's political programmes. Today's highlights come from Dominic Raab, Diane Abbott, Leonid Volkov ...

Will state aid sink a Brexit deal?

05 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The deadline for a Brexit deal is fast approaching, but the level of subsidies paid to companies and industries could prove a stumbling block. Will st...

Will the Tories accept tax rises?

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak has faced a backlash this week over proposals to increase taxes to pay for the UK's coronavirus response. Can the chancellor push the chan...

Is mass testing the answer?

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Hancock today announced Operation Moonshot, a £500 million scheme to ramp up the UK's testing capacity and offer a return to normality without s...

The latest No. 10 U-turn

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bolton and Trafford were returned to Manchester's local lockdown this morning after yet another U-turn by the government. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson and...

Can Simon Case reform the civil service?

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Case has been appointed the new cabinet secretary, tasked with leading the UK through its coronavirus recovery and reforming the civil service. ...

Is this the next cladding scandal?

29 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After the Grenfell Tower fire, new fire safety legislation was introduced in an attempt to ensure the tragic incident was never repeated. But the new ...

Can Boris get people back in the office?

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government will launch a new publicity campaign to coax people back into the office, it was announced today. This morning's headlines took a hardl...

Can self-isolation payments improve test and trace?

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government has announced that self-isolating Britons will be paid £13 a day to stay at home. Will this help improve the beleaguered test and trac...

Will the next U-turn be on face masks at work?

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government reversed its position on masks in schools late yesterday evening, announcing that secondary school pupils in local lockdown areas would...

Is Boris being too defensive on the culture wars?

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Reports on Sunday suggested the BBC was going to drop 'Rule, Britannia!' and 'Land of Hope and Glory' from its Last Night of the Proms schedule becaus...

Can Gavin Williamson reopen England's schools?

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson has returned from his holiday to embark on a media campaign promoting September's schools reopening. With Scottish pupils already back -...

Why is Starmer's support surging?

22 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Following the exam results fiasco, the Tories' lead in the polls has dropped to just two points in the latest YouGov survey. With Labour on the up, wh...

Britain's £2 trillion debt problem

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

UK debt has hit £2 trillion, the Office for National Statistics said today - an increase of over £200 billion on last year. What does this mean for ...

Where will the next local lockdown be?

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Birmingham and Oldham are on the brink of reentering lockdown, with cases in both rising significantly in comparison to the rest of the country. But h...

How Nicola Sturgeon outsmarts Westminster

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A new poll today shows that support for Scottish independence is at a record high of 55 per cent. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and Fra...

Why has the government scrapped Public Health England?

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Hancock today confirmed that Public Health England will be scrapped and replaced by a new National Institute for Health Protection, which will be...

What's behind the government's dramatic U-turn?

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gavin Williamson announced this afternoon that pupils receiving A-level and GCSE results this year would be awarded teacher-predicted marks. Why has t...

Is the government about to U-turn on exams?

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As the backlash to the government's exams fiasco continued over the weekend, Gavin Williamson has been steadfast in not U-turning. But with GCSE resul...

Kaya's story: why the government's exams triple lock doesn't help

15 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kaya Ilska is a free school meals student, coming from a single mother family. She is incredibly bright - and was predicted 4 A*s by her teachers, a s...

Should France have been kicked off the greenlist?

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After much speculation, France has been put on the quarantine list, along with Netherlands, Monaco, and Malta. But do the numbers really back it up? C...

Levelling down: the results day fiasco

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's A-Level results day and much as expected, a large minority of A-Level grades from across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have been downgrade...

Why is Labour struggling to attack Boris Johnson?

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gavin Williamson last night announced that A-level students getting their results tomorrow could appeal using mock exam grades. Meanwhile, today, new ...

Will England have to follow Scotland's exams U-turn?

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After a week of feet dragging, the Scottish government has today dramatically U-turned on downgrading exam results for 76,000 students. Those who rece...

Is the Preston lockdown justified?

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Over the weekend, the city of Preston in the north of England was partially locked down. But on what basis? Cindy Yu talks to Kate Andrews and Fraser ...

Are the Lib Dems finished?

08 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Liberal Democrat leadership race will finally come to an end this month but, after December's crushing election defeat, is the party over too? In ...

Will France be quarantined next?

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Belgium, Andorra and the Bahamas were added to the UK’s quarantine list yesterday evening, meaning Brits returning from those countries will be requ...

Will Boris's planning reforms backfire?

06 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government has announced the most ambitious planning reforms of a generation – but could they backfire? Meanwhile, as the contacting tracing reg...

Can Douglas Ross take on the SNP?

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Douglas Ross has won the Scottish Conservatives leadership election – but can take on the SNP without risking a second independence referendum? Mean...