Coffee House Shots
Episodes
Can Keir handle Trump?
01 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The news that Donald Trump has been convicted of 34 felonies meant that the Labour leader faced questions about the former president on Friday morning...
Can Keir Starmer control the Labour left?
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer has began a purge of pre-existing candidates and MPs who risk frustrating their election campaign. There is an ongoing row about whether ...
Starmer purges the Corbynites
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer is now putting the final touches to this with a last minute purge of pre-existing candidates and MPs who risk frustrating their election ...
Is Diane Abbott in or out?
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The drama in Westminster never seems to end. Last night the Times reported that the Labour party would not allow veteran MP Diane Abbott to represent ...
Who's winning the TikTok election battle?
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Days into the election campaign and parties are scrambling to get their message out on social media. With both Labour and the Conservatives joining Ti...
The Dunkirk Strategy
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Conservatives have unveiled a new pensions policy: the 'Triple Lock Plus'. What does it mean and what's the thinking behind it? Will it help shore...
Does Keir Starmer have enough to say?
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer set out his first major speech to kick of Labour's general election campaign. The Labour leader prioritised national security, a strong e...
Sunak: let’s bring back national service
26 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The first big new policy announcement of the election campaign is in from the Tories, and it’s likely to be a talker. Where Keir Starmer appears to ...
What does a July election mean for the SNP?
25 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We have spoken a lot on the podcast this week about how a July election could be disastrous for the Conservatives, but what about the SNP? With arrest...
What‘s behind the Tory exodus?
25 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's day four of the election campaign, and Michael Gove has joined the growing Tory exodus and announced he's standing down at the election. What's b...
Is the Labour lead as big as it seems?
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Both major party leaders are hitting the road today and campaigning in Scotland, which will be a major battleground in the coming election. Labour loo...
Why has the election been called now?
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Less than 24 hours after Rishi Sunak's surprise election announcement, we look ahead to the parties' campaigns. What has been the fall out? How have L...
Sunak's biggest gamble yet: a July election
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rishi Sunak has called a general election on July 4. A new parliament will be summoned on 9 July and the state opening will be on 17 July. Is a summer...
Is an election about to be called?
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Westminster is awash with rumours today that the Prime Minister is about to call an election. On this episode, Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and Fraser...
Is there finally good news for the government?
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The IMF has upgraded the 2024 economic forecast for the UK. What does this mean for the government and could more good news follow this week? And, wit...
Infected blood scandal was ‘no accident’, says report
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Infected Blood Inquiry has finally concluded after a five-year investigation. This lunchtime, the inquiry’s chair Sir Brian Langstaff said thous...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 19/05/2024
19 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.Grant Shapps talks about defence spending and the infected blood scandal. Wes...
The whips' office and their woes
18 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There have been two recent defections from the Conservatives to Labour. There's lots of chatter in parliament about a potential third defector. In thi...
Can Hunt answer the Reagan question?
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ronald Reagan famously asked voters: 'are you better off than you were four years ago?' At the next election, the Tories face a public thinking over t...
Has Starmer scaled down his pledges?
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer has unveiled his six election pledges. In a nod to Tony Blair's 1997 election card, the Labour leader has announced key promises to the p...
Starmer fluffs his lines at PMQs
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There were no defections today at Prime Minister’s Questions, which probably put Keir Starmer in a slightly stronger position, ironically, given the...
Is Natalie Elphicke an unlikely hero?
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lucy Dunn speaks to Katy Balls and former Blair advisor John McTernan about the one vote that won plans to exclude MPs from parliament arrested on sus...
Will Sunak's fighting talk work?
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rishi Sunak delivered a pre-election speech this morning setting out the dividing lines at the next election: security with the Tories or risk with La...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 12/05/24
12 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour is another blow to the Tories, but cou...
Can John Swinney turn it around for the SNP?
11 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
John Swinney, newly inaugurated First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the SNP, has been in the job for a week. What have we learnt since he took up...
The UK leaves recession – but is it too late for the Tories?
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed this morning that the UK confined its technical recession to 2023. The economy grew by 0.6 per cent...
Can Lammy charm Trump?
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy is stateside, meeting with senior advisors to Donald Trump and hoping to charm them. Meanwhile, David ...
Why does Labour want Natalie Elphicke?
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The MP for Dover, Natalie Elphicke, has shocked MPs and pundits across the political spectrum by defecting to the Labour party today. In her resignati...
Will there really be a hung parliament?
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's the first day back after the local elections. Following Thursday's results, some polling suggests that if the votes were replicated in a general ...
What does Andy Street's defeat mean for Rishi Sunak?
05 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The local elections results are in, and the Conservatives have lost more than 450 council seats. After a full recount, Labour’s Richard Parker beat ...
Have the Tories avoided a local election catastrophe?
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rishi Sunak can breathe a (small) sigh of relief. Ben Houchen, the so-called ‘patron saint of the red wall’, has won a third term as Tees Valley m...
Labour triumphs in Blackpool as Tories suffer heavy losses
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's looking like the worst night for the Conservatives in 40 years. The prediction – that the Tories will lose about half of the council seats they...
Can Ben Houchen save Rishi Sunak?
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tomorrow, voters go to the polls for the last set of local elections in this parliament, alongside 11 mayoral elections in England, 37 police and crim...
Will the Tories' mental health focus backfire?
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As figures now show there are 2.8 million people claiming out-of-work benefits, Rishi Sunak gave a speech looking at welfare reform. But with more and...
Humza Yousaf quits – what next?
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has just announced his intention to resign. Lucy Dunn speaks to Katy Balls and Spectator contributor Iain Macwh...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 28/04/2024
28 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.The prime minister is in a frustrated mood as he bats away questions about th...
Can Starmer do patriotism?
27 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It was St George's Day this week, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he has 'no time' for those who 'flinch' at the St George's flag. But how aut...
Can Humza Yousaf hang on?
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Humza Yousaf faces the biggest crisis of his leadership to date – with his fate in the hands of former SNP leadership rival Ash Regan. Will Humza st...
Is this the beginning of the end for Humza Yousaf?
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After two and a half years in government together, Humza Yousaf has terminated the SNP’s governing pact with the Scottish Greens. The decision was r...
Has Angela Rayner redeemed herself?
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer away, Oliver Dowden and Angela Rayner stepped in for PMQs today. Questions quickly turned to the long running row ab...
Sunak’s Rwanda Bill finally passes parliament
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After eight hours of debate on the Rwanda Bill, peers finally threw in the towel shortly after midnight. And with that, the Rwanda Bill became law, pe...
Will there be a summer election?
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This morning Rishi Sunak delivered a press conference making the case that the Rwanda Bill should become law today – and the government is ready for...
Can things get worse for the SNP?
20 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's been quite the week for the SNP. Questions remain over the future of the Sandyford gender clinic, 'the tartan Tavistock'; the Scottish government...
Sunak declares a crackdown on Britain’s ‘sick note culture’
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rishi Sunak has returned to one of his pet bugbears: getting the unemployed back into work. His speech to the Centre for Social Justice this morning w...
Is it smart to ban phones for teens?
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sunak's top team is considering another ban: smartphones for teens. A consultation is due to begin this month that will question whether children need...
Sunak's Truss problem
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The day after her book was published, Rishi Sunak faced down questions from Keir Starmer and Labour members at PMQs about Liz Truss. While he had his ...
How many MPs will reject Sunak’s smoking ban?
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not just Britain that has a growth problem. Today’s release of the IMF’s April 2024 World Economic Outlook report argues that the global ec...
Liz Truss returns - again
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's 18 months since Liz Truss left Downing Street and her new memoir, Ten Years to Save the West, is out. She gave her first interview to Fraser Nels...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 14/04/24
14 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows.After Iran’s first direct attack on Israel, conflict in the Middle East h...
Harold Wilson's secret Downing Street affair
13 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this special Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots we discuss Patrick Maguire's scoop this week about former Labour leader Harold Wilson's secret ...
Is Angela Rayner unsackable?
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The row over Angela Rayner's tax affairs has deepened today. This morning, Greater Manchester police have announced that – following a reassessment ...
Has Rishi Sunak failed on the NHS?
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's five promises is to cut NHS waiting lists. However, even he's admitted progress is slow, with new data showing key...
What are the conclusions of the Cass Review?
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have had the Cass Review, a landmark report into gender services for children in England, authored by paediatrician Hilary Cass. She conclude...
Will David Cameron win over Republicans?
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
David Cameron is stateside meeting Republicans and Democrats as the Foreign Secretary tries to muster up support for the US to send aid to Ukraine. Be...
How much trouble is Angela Rayner in?
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Angela Rayner has faced fresh allegations related to her taxes. Keir Starmer and other MPs in the shadow cabinet have come to her defence. Could these...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 07/04/2024
07 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows.Israel is under increasing pressure to stop its military action, after an I...
J.K. Rowling vs Scotland's hate monster
06 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
J.K. Rowling has been at the centre of a Twitter backlash against Scotland's new hate crime laws which came into effect on April 1st. How has the firs...
Is William Wragg a victim?
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Thursday night, Conservative MP William Wragg admitted that he handed over the phone numbers of MPs, aides and a journalist to a man he met on a da...
Should Britain end arms sales to Israel?
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The row over arms sales to Israel continues today, as over 600 high profile figures in the legal profession, including former Supreme Court Justice Jo...
Has Israel lost British support?
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The killings of three British aid workers in Gaza has caused fury across the board in Westminster, with Rishi Sunak conducting a candid phone call wit...
Could Scotland's new Hate Crime Act overwhelm the police?
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The SNP's new Hate Crime Act came into effect yesterday, but already it has been met with backlash. On the episode, James Heale talks to Isabel Hardma...
Will Sue Gray be running Keir Starmer’s government?
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There is anxiety in parts of Starmer’s circle about Sue Gray appointing jobs in a Starmer-led Downing Street. When she’s in No.10 she’ll ‘be i...
Labour's pledge to 'take back control'
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Labour kicked off their local elections campaign today with a joint op-ed from Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner in the Times promising to empower locali...
Could Jonathan Gullis be another Lee Anderson?
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After the resignations of two ministers last night, No. 10 carried out a mini reshuffle, which included some controversial decisions. In particular, t...
What happened at Sunak’s Liaison Committee meeting?
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rishi Sunak appeared in front of the House of Commons Liaison Committee today. What happened?Katy Balls speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman.Becom...
Scott Benton triggers another by-election
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former Conservative MP Scott Benton has resigned, triggering a by-election in Blackpool South. The outgoing MP had the Tory whip removed after suggest...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 24/03/2024
24 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt does the rounds this week, saying the Russian govern...
What is Labour’s economic plan?
23 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In her Mais lecture in the City of London this week, Rachel Reeves set out her plan for Britain’s economy: securonomics. What does securonomics mean...
Should the 'Waspi women' be compensated?
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Parliamentary Ombudsman's report on raising women's state pension age in line with men's has been published. It details that women born in the 195...
Will Fine Gael call an election?
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leo Varadkar resigned as Ireland’s Taoiseach this week, and as Fine Gael leader. ‘Personal and political reasons’ informed his decision, he said...
Will Reform overtake the Tories?
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A new YouGov poll has Reform just four points behind the Conservatives. Richard Tice’s party is on 15 per cent, and Rishi Sunak’s party is on 19 p...
Did Jeremy Hunt reduce inflation?
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Inflation has fallen to 3.4 per cent, it was announced this morning. Jeremy Hunt said it was a sign that the government’s economic plan is working. ...
What should Labour do about the Rwanda bill?
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
All ten of the amendments to the Rwanda bill, put in by the House of Lords, were rejected by the House of Commons last night. The bill will head back ...
Will Penny Mordaunt be the next prime minister?
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Over the weekend, speculation about a plot to oust Rishi Sunak and replace him with Penny Mordaunt circulated the papers. It came after one of the wor...
Nigel Farage on Reform, the Red Wall and 14 years of Tory failure
16 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this special edition of Coffee House Shots, Kate Andrews interviews broadcaster, and honorary president of the Reform Party, Nigel Farage. They dis...
Rishi Sunak rules out general election in May
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rishi Sunak has finally confirmed what most MPs already knew: there won’t be a May general election. Speaking to ITV News West Country on Thursday n...
Will Gove’s extremism definition worsen Tory divides?
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Gove has unveiled the government’s new legal definition of extremism, which will decide whether organisations can receive government money. ...
Will the Tories return Hester’s £10 million?
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At Prime Minister’s Questions today Rishi Sunak refused to commit to returning the £10 million donor Frank Hester gave to the Conservative party. H...
What does Boris want?
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Newspapers today reported that Boris Johnson is going to campaign for the Conservatives in Red Wall seats. Responding, Nadine Dorries wrote on Twitter...
Lee Anderson defects: what next?
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lee Anderson has defected from the Tory party to Reform. In a press conference this morning, Anderson said ‘I want my country back’ and said that ...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 10/03/2024
10 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. Rachel Reeves says everything in Labour's manifesto will be properly funded...
Does Britain need new laws to tackle extremism?
09 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Gove is expected to announce a tougher definition of extremism in response to a rise in radical ideology, since the Israel-Gaza war. Are new l...
Why is Theresa May standing down?
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Theresa May has announced that she will not seek re-election this year. The former prime minister said that launching her global commission on modern ...
Are Scottish Tories causing trouble for Rishi Sunak?
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lucy Dunn speaks to James Heale and Katy Balls about the slightly muted reaction to the budget. Labour has compared the announcements to Liz Truss's ...
Jeremy Hunt’s low-key Budget
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy Hunt said the government would cut National Insurance by 2 per cent, would abolish the non-dom tax status and would raise the threshold for chi...
What tax cut will Hunt deliver tomorrow?
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Andrews speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman as the speculation grows over what taxes Jeremy Hunt will cut in tomorrow's budget. National Ins...
Sunak and Hunt face a Budget dilemma
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Budget day is approaching and the government has hinted that their plans for tax cutting 'giveaways' are now less likely. James Heale speaks to Katy B...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 03/03/2024
03 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. The Budget announcement is imminent, and Jeremy Hunt says there will be no ...
Is the Home Office broken?
02 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots, Cindy Yu is joined by The Spectator's political correspondent, James Heale, and Director of Kr...
Labour nightmare as George Galloway wins Rochdale by-election
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
George Galloway has won a resounding victory in Rochdale, after a chaotic and messy by-election in which Labour was forced to disown its own candidate...
Why wasn't Wayne Couzens stopped?
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, the long-awaited Home Office-commissioned Angiolini Inquiry into Wayne Couzens has been published. Couzens had kidnapped, raped and murdered 33...
We need to talk about Truss
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Liz Truss continues to haunt Rishi Sunak. Labour leader Keir Starmer took aim at her recent exploits at CPAC in the US during prime minister's questio...
David Neal vs the Home Office
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Until recently the government's independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, David Neal has been in front of the Home Affairs select commit...
Have the Tories got 'Islamophobic tendencies'?
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Conservatives are divided over Lee Anderson's suspension, with some believing that if he apologises for comments made about Sadiq Khan, he should be a...
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 25/02/24
25 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. Oliver Dowden is asked to comment on provocative remarks made by multiple T...
Lee Anderson suspended: what now?
24 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lee Anderson has been suspended from the Conservative party this afternoon after saying on GB News that Islamists controlled Sadiq Khan. Will Rishi Su...
Tom Baldwin: 'There is no such thing as Starmerism'
24 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots, Katy Balls is joined by Tom Baldwin, author of a new authorised biography of Labour leader Kei...
Commons chaos revealed the threat to MPs’ safety
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As MPs return to their constituencies, the drama from Wednesday's parliamentary debate is still fresh in Westminster. James Heale speaks to Fraser Nel...
What happened in the Commons chaos last night?
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Commons descended into farce and chaos last night. The SNP were not able to vote on their own motion on their own Opposition Day debate; the Conse...
Has Lindsay Hoyle overstepped?
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Keir Starmer can breathe a sigh of relief this afternoon, thanks to Lindsay Hoyle. The Speaker has selected Labour’s amendment on a Gaza ceasefi...