Coffee House Shots

Are we heading for mass unemployment?

04 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pizza Express today announced that 1,100 jobs are at risk as they close 67 outlets. With the Chancellor's furlough scheme winding up in November, shou...

Can 'Eat Out to Help Out' save the restaurant industry?

03 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today marks the start of the 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme – but can the move save Britain's restaurants without risking a second spike? Katy Balls s...

What's behind the excess deaths statistics?

01 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Statistics released this week showed that England had the worst excess death rate in Europe during the first half of 2020. Katy Balls speaks to Kate A...

Boris Johnson pauses lockdown easing

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Overnight, the government announced a return of stricter social distancing measures in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and East Lancashire, with mu...

Why are England's excess deaths so high?

30 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New figures show that England had the highest excess death rate across Europe in the first half of 2020. With another coronavirus wave looking imminen...

Could the government be over-correcting on a second wave?

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Fears of a second wave dominate Westminster chat, but how much of it is the government trying to fight the last battle? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyt...

Is a second wave imminent?

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson said there are signs that a second wave of coronavirus will soon sweep through Europe. Should Brits still go on their holiday abroad, an...

Was there a different way to handle the Spanish quarantine?

27 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Within a few hours, the government enacted a quarantine policy for those returning from Spain (including the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, and alm...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 26/07/20

26 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls presents the highlights from the Sunday interviews, with Dominic Raab, Dido Harding, Jonathan Ashworth and Tony Blair. Become a Spectator ...

Prime Minister Johnson's turbulent first year

25 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson probably didn't expect his first year as Prime Minister to shake out quite the way it did. From winning a landslide majority, to leading...

Will Boris's war on obesity succeed?

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New plans are being drawn up to tackle obesity in Britain, with proposals including a ban on adverts of junk foods and calorie content shown on restau...

Could Boris's Scotland charm offensive backfire?

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister visits Scotland today as parliament goes into recess. The Union is in grave danger, as a previous episode discussed. But can the go...

Starmer vs Corbyn

22 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer was keen to put clear blue water between himself and Corbyn's Labour party today, on both the apology to anti-Semitism whistleblowers and...

Is there anything new in the Russia report?

21 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The long-awaited Russia report is finally out, so what are the revelations within it? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and the New Statesman's Polit...

Is TikTok the next Huawei?

20 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Now that Huawei is banned, China hawks in the Conservative Party are turning their attention to social media platform TikTok, which is owned by a Chin...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 19/07/20

19 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls hosts the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Russian ambassado...

How much danger is the Union in?

18 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

James Forsyth writes in this week's Spectator that the Union is the biggest challenge facing this government, despite everything that is going on with...

Does the government's plan really approach 'significant normality'?

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In a press conference from Downing Street today, Boris Johnson set out the road to 'significant normality' - but not until November. It's a more cauti...

Why the government moved against Julian Lewis

16 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Grayling failed to win the chairmanship of the Intelligence and Security Committee on Wednesday evening. In his stead, Julian Lewis clinched the...

Who should be worried about the independent Covid inquiry?

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson has confirmed that there will be an inquiry into the handling of the pandemic after a possible second wave is over. On the podcast, Katy...

Why Boris u-turned on Huawei

14 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Much as expected, the government has u-turned on Huawei, though the new government policy doesn't go as far as some of the most hardline Tory MPs woul...

Does anyone know the truth about face masks?

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In recent days, more supportive noises have been made by those on the top of government about the wearing of face masks indoors, especially in shops. ...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 12/07/20

12 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls presents the highlights from Sunday's political inerviews, today featuring Michael Gove, Lucy Powell and Sir Richard Dearlove. Become a Sp...

Dominic Cummings's plans for defence reform

11 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic Cummings will be touring key Ministry of Defence sites ahead of this year's defence review. So how would he like to reform the UK's military a...

The government's inconsistent messaging on lockdown easing

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New lockdown easing measures have been announced, so later this month swimming pools, gyms, and outdoor theatres will be reopening in England. At the ...

Is Rishi Sunak really hinting at tax rises?

09 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Chancellor's statement has gone down well but the big question is how the government will pay for all this. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to Katy...

Can Rishi Sunak’s jobs pledge keep unemployment down?

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Chancellor has given his mini-Budget in a statement to the Commons today, and among a raft of stimulus measures from a VAT cut to stamp duty reduc...

Is social care reform now inevitable?

07 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson has rowed back on comments suggesting that care homes suffered from the pandemic because they did not follow procedure, after a widespre...

Why the government's arts bailout was so generous

06 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rishi Sunak has announced a £1.6 billion bailout for the arts industry, which was more generous than many were expecting. On the podcast, Katy Balls ...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 05/07/20

05 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls presents the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with Matt Hancock, Anneliese Dodds and Sir Simon Stevens. Become a Spectator subscr...

Will No 10's press briefing shake-up really deliver more transparency?

04 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Downing St has announced that it will be televising its afternoon lobby press briefing, come October. Inspired by the daily coronavirus briefings, it'...

Will Super Saturday prove a washout?

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One day to go until 'Super Saturday', when pubs and restaurants in England (except Leicester) will reopen. But polls show that only a small minority o...

How schools will look after the pandemic

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government has set out its guidelines for how schools will look come September. Attendance will be compulsory, and even Labour is on board. Cindy ...

Should the government go further on Hong Kong?

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

China's new national security law has been passed in Hong Kong, and from this morning it has been implemented as handfuls of protestors have already b...

What's so new in Boris's 'New Deal'?

30 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The country is facing a post-pandemic recession that will leave millions unemployed and businesses bankrupted, so despite all the noise, is Boris's 'N...

Will the 'whack-a-mole' approach of local lockdowns work?

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Leicester is set to lock down locally. It's an approach that the Prime Minister has dubbed 'whack-a-mole', referring to clampdowns on local clusters t...

What Sedwill's departure means for No 10's civil service reform

28 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill has announced that he will be stepping down in September, though his resignation letter suggests that it wasn't nec...

Cindy Yu's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 28/06/20

28 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Cindy Yu presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Priti Patel, Jonathan Reynolds and Ed Miliband. Become a Spectator subscriber to...

Has Keir Starmer upset Labour's fragile unity?

27 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Throughout the leadership contest, Keir Starmer was careful not to upset the delicate balance between the hard left and the moderates in the party. Bu...

The government's dilemma on reopening

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government wants the country to head back out and boost the economy, but scenes at Bournemouth beach and elsewhere reflect the government's dilemm...

Will Long Bailey's sacking trigger a Corbynite backlash?

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After retweeting an interview with Maxine Peake in which the actress voiced an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory, Rebecca Long Bailey has been sacked as ...

Can Keir Starmer get under Boris's skin?

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.Presented by Katy Balls.The Spectator is looking for the UK's brightest entrepreneurs for our Economic Innovator ...

The new common sense phase of lockdown

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson has announced further measures to ease the lockdown, and from the 4th July, more venues will be open than not, including restaurants, pu...

What's behind the brewing Sunday trading Tory rebellion?

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There's a rebellion brewing on the backbenches - MPs claim that there are over 50 backbenchers who oppose the government's proposal to loosen Sunday t...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 21/06/20

21 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls hosts the highlights from Sunday's interviews. With Boris Johnson, Matt Hancock, Rachel Reeves and Shaun Bailey. Become a Spectator subscr...

Is the Foreign Office DfiD merger a mistake?

20 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The plans for a merger between the two departments has united three former prime ministers in their criticism. Andrew Mitchell, Tory MP and former Int...

What the new alert level means for lockdown easing

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government has downgraded the coronavirus alert level from 4 to 3, with the support of its scientific advisers. So is it about time to ease lockdo...

Why did the government persist with its doomed app?

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government is today announcing a switch from its NHS-built contact tracing app in favour of one built by Apple and Google. On the podcast, Katy Ba...

Is Boris Johnson's week starting to look up?

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

At Prime Minister's Questions, Boris Johnson cornered Keir Starmer on the Labour party's ambivalent position on schools reopening. After a bumpy start...

Was the government's free meals U-turn inevitable?

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After the highly publicised campaign by the footballer Marcus Rashford, the government has U-turned on the question of free school meals in the summer...

Will the government's lockdown easing work?

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As the government tries to encourage more spending with the opening of non-essential shops today, is the public still too cautious about Covid? Katy B...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 14/06/20

14 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls hosts today's essential interviews roundup, which today features Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, Nick Thomas-Symonds and David Lammy. Become a...

Is toppling a statue an act of performance art?

13 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Has the statue of Churchill been improved by being enclosed in a protective casing? Was Colston's toppling one of the greatest acts of performance art...

The Tory fightback against identity politics

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Late last night, the statue of Winston Churchill on Parliament Square was boarded up over fears the monument could again be targeted by Black Lives Ma...

How long can the two-metre rule last?

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tory MPs are increasingly concerned about the impact of the two-metre rule, with No. 10 facing pressure to relax the policy to help save businesses. G...

PMQs: Johnson and Starmer clash on schools

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

John Connolly discusses Prime Minister's Questions with James Forsyth and Katy Balls.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast withou...

Why aren't schools reopening?

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government has shelved its aim of reopening primary schools before the end of term amid growing pressure from parents and unions. But how will tha...

The politics of toppling a statue

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Thousands of protesters took to the streets this weekend as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. In Bristol, a statue of the slaver Edward Colston...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 07/06/20

07 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls presents the highlights from Sunday's political interviews. Today's clips come from Professor John Edmunds, Matt Hancock, Lisa Nandy, John ...

How the government is preparing for the inevitable Covid inquiry

06 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Some decision-makers have already made timelines of their actions since the start of the pandemic, James Forsyth reveals in his political column for t...

Is it time for the government to admit its mistakes?

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With an NHS tracing app not fully up and running until autumn, contact tracing seems like the latest in a series of events where the government has ov...

Why has the government U-turned on face masks?

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced that face masks will be compulsory on public transport from mid-June. Until recently, that was explicit...

The end of Keir Starmer's 'constructive opposition'

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The time for constructive opposition is over, as Keir Starmer picks up a new tone in his interview to the Guardian, which he continued in PMQs. Cindy ...

Does Rees-Mogg's plan for a socially distanced parliament work?

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

MPs are back in the House of Commons this week, and Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg wants them to vote physically, but socially distanced. This means a...

Will MPs rebel over No. 10's quarantine plan?

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the speed of easing lockdown, to quarantine for international travellers, to the return of MPs to parliament - the government is fighting battles...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 31/05/20

31 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls presents the best bits from Sunday's political shows. Today's clips come from Dominic Raab, Nicola Sturgeon, Anneliese Dodds, Professor De...

How will a socially distanced House of Commons work?

30 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

MPs are returning to parliament next week, marking an end of the hybrid model that saw most MPs Zooming into parliamentary debates. On the podcast, Jo...

How the furlough scheme will be rolled back

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Cindy Yu talks to Kate Andrews and Katy Balls about Chancellor Rishi Sunak's announcements on phasing out the furlough scheme. Become a Spectator sub...

Is it really 'case closed' on the Cummings affair?

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance refused to give their opinions on the Dominic Cummings affair at today's press conference; while Durham police indic...

What did Boris's evidence to MPs reveal?

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister appeared for the first time in his premiership in front of the Liaison Committee today. The group, formed of select committee chair...

What does the slump in the polls mean for Conservatives?

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The latest polling shows that even a majority of Conservative voters want Dominic Cummings out; and the Prime Minister's own standing has taken a dram...

Could public opinion make Cummings's position untenable?

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The latest polling shows a drastic change in the Prime Minister's popularity because of the Cummings affair. Though the government is still sticking b...

Has Cummings done enough to calm Tory MPs?

25 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In an unprecedented press conference today, Dominic Cummings explained the circumstances in which he took his family to Durham, and the exact timeline...

Boris Johnson's political gamble over Cummings

24 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson gave an unambiguous defence of Dominic Cummings at today's press conference. In so doing, the government is gambling that this is a stor...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 24/05/20

24 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with interviews coming from Grant Shapps, Steve Baker, Nick Thomas-Symonds and Sir V...

The Dominic Cummings imbroglio

23 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The government has come out in defence of Dominic Cummings's decision to travel to Durham during lockdown. On the podcast, two Spectator writers give ...

Has Starmer put Tories on the backfoot?

23 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer is off to a good start in his first 50 days as Labour leader. But has he done enough to start bringing back former Labour voters?With Ste...

Can the government bring back the economy?

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New figures from the ONS today show the extent of damage done to the economy. Is this recoverable?With Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.Presented by Ka...

Why the government U-turned on the NHS surcharge

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Within 24 hours of refusing to scrap the NHS surcharge for migrant healthworkers, the government has U-turned. We discuss why; as well as Scotland's l...

Can the government get contact tracing up and running by June?

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson pledges to get track and trace up by June 1, but is it possible? Plus, how is the government handling the new Opposition Leader, Keir St...

Is the government blaming the scientists?

19 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.Presented by Katy Balls.Try four weeks of the Spectator for free and get a free wireless charger at here.Become a...

Is Labour's stance on reopening schools worsening the education gap?

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson.Presented by Katy Balls.Sponsored by 'Look Forward', the podcast from Rathbones on what the future might look lik...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 17/05/20

17 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls presents the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with clips from Michael Gove, Angela Rayner, Liam Fox, Carolyn Fairbairn and Paul Fa...

Is Nicola Sturgeon playing politics?

16 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Alex Massie, the Spectator's Scotland Editor, and Fraser Nelson.Presented by Katy Balls.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcas...

Is Boris Johnson a convert to the nanny state?

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.Presented by Katy Balls.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectat...

Is the Roche antibody test a gamechanger?

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Katy Balls and James Forsyth.Presented by John Connolly.Sponsored by 'Look Forward', the podcast from Rathbones on what the future might look lik...

Boris on the ropes over care homes

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With James Forsyth and Katy Balls.Presented by Fraser Nelson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectat...

How generous is Rishi's furlough extension?

12 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Kate Andrews and Katy Balls.Presented by Cindy Yu.Sponsored by 'Look Forward', the podcast from Rathbones on what the future might look like. Fin...

Keir Starmer's canny coronavirus critique

11 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Katy Balls and James Forsyth.Presented by Cindy Yu.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co...

Boris sets out the shape of an exit strategy

10 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson.Presented by Katy Balls.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectat...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 10/05/20

10 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls hosts the highlights from Sunday's political interviews. Today's clips come from Robert Jenrick, Jonathan Ashworth and Professor David Spie...

The government's black-box approach to lockdown

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.Presented by John Connolly.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectat...

Why is the 'R' number going back up?

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With James Forsyth and Katy Balls.Presented by Cindy Yu.Sponsored by 'Look Forward', the podcast from Rathbones on what the future might look like. Fi...

Keir Starmer made life difficult for Boris Johnson at PMQs

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Katy Balls and James Forsyth.Presented by John Connolly.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectat...

Why Neil Ferguson's position was untenable

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Katy Balls and James Forsyth.Presented by Cindy Yu.Sponsored by 'Look Forward', the podcast from Rathbones on what the future might look like. Fi...

Is the UK really the worst hit country in Europe?

05 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With James Forsyth and Katy Balls.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out...

Could a return to normality come before a vaccine?

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.Presented by Katy Balls.Sponsored by 'Look Forward', the podcast from Rathbones on what the future might look lik...

Katy Balls' Sunday Interviews Roundup - 03/05/20

03 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Balls presents the highlights from Sunday's political interview shows, today featuring Grant Shapps, Amanda Spielman, Mark Drakeford and Ros Altm...

Is a Brexit extension inevitable?

02 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With James Forsyth and Katy Balls.Presented by John Connolly.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectat...

How Matt Hancock hit his target

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.Presented by Cindy Yu.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co...