Coffee House Shots

Isabel Hardman talks to James Forsyth and James Johnson of the J.L. Partners polling company, about how much the Conservative party has to fear from tactical votes at the next election.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectato...

In a major blow, the Conservatives have lost two seats in the Tiverton and Wakefield by-elections. Immediately after, the Conservative party chairman, Oliver Dowden resigned citing 'a deeply personal decision' following a 'run of very poor results for our party'.  The Lib Dems overturned a huge Tory majority in Tiverton and Honiton, Devon, their third by-election victory over Boris Johnson's party...

Today, British Airways staff have voted have a strike of their own, adding to the government's woes as rail workers continue to strike throughout this week. On the podcast, James Forsyth adopts a term from the Americans and asks: can the government prevent a 'bummer summer', where nothing quite works? Cindy Yu also talks to Katy Balls, who gives the low down on the risks the Prime Minister is taki...

The inflation figures released today suggest that inflation has risen at the highest rate in 40 years. Now at 9.1 per cent, some may say this is good news because the rate at which inflation is increasing has in fact slowed down. However, on the podcast, our economics editor, Kate Andrews suggests we are nowhere near the peak yet. How worried should the government be over these figures? Also on th...

The first day of strike action has begun with large parts of the country's railways, as well as London's underground lines, shut down. But where workers are trying to put pressure on the government and Network Rail over higher pay, it seems like the Labour party is in more trouble. Disagreement over the party's position on strike action (after all, it was set up to represent the unions in parliame...

Today begins a chaotic week for commuters who face major travel disruptions as rail staff stage the biggest walkout in 30 years. Union leaders have accused the government of 'inflaming tensions', as Grant Shapps has refused to negotiate with the unions over pay, conditions, job cuts and safety. Also on the podcast, what could be the outcome of Thursday's two by-elections?  Isabel Hardman is joined...

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday morning's political shows, today featuring clips from Grant Shapps, Mick Lynch, Micheál Martin and Lisa Nandy. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast....

Katy Balls discusses the vacant role of ethics adviser with James Forsyth and prime ministerial biographer Lord Anthony Seldon.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

The calls for Indyref2 are coming thick and fast from the SNP leader this week with a plan for a monthly speech to express the benefits of Scotland leaving the UK. But would allowing a referendum now be better than resisting one? Newer generations of Scots tend to be more nationalist than their elders. Should unionists push for Indyref2 now before more young people reach voting age? Katy Balls tal...

Lord Geidt became the second ethics advisor to leave Boris Johnson's government last night. It seems like Chinese steel tariffs was the straw that broke the camel's back, but it is clear that he hasn't been happy in the position for sometime. Will the Prime Minister be able to find anyone to pick up this poisoned chalice?  Max Jeffery speaks with James Forsyth and Katy Balls.  Become a Spectator s...

the first flight taking asylum seekers to Rwanda was stalled just before takeoff after a late intervention from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). As Priti Patel returned to the Commons to defend the policy, many Tory MPs are furious at the prospect of the courts taking precedent over government legislation. Could this lead to the UK leaving the ECtHR? Also on the podcast, is Keir Starmer...

The government is fighting on two fronts today. Firstly defending is Rwandan immigration plan from a unified front of Bishops as the first flight is set to take off tonight. Secondly, the Northern Ireland protocol bill which was announced yesterday afternoon faces scrutiny on many fronts. Katy Balls talks with Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this pod...

The Foreign Secretary has outlined fresh legislation to change the post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU today – allowing ministers to override parts of the Northern Ireland protocol. Whilst the government insists that this is not a breach of international law, critics remain unconvinced. ‘I had one member of government say to me this bill is going to be a proxy on Boris Johnson’s leadership’ -...

Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows, with clips from Brandon Lewis, Rachel Reeves, Mark Serwotka and Tony Danker.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See ac...

Max Jeffery talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about the former Health Secretary's week.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two British citizens fighting the Russians have been sentenced to death in Ukrainian territory controlled by the Kremlin. How has the UK responded thus far?  And domestically, Lord Frost has said that Boris Johnson has until the autumn to turn things around. Max Jeffery talks with Katy Balls and James Forsyth. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to specta...

By sticking to his promise to ‘move on’ after the confidence vote, Boris has announced his new flagship policies during a speech in Blackpool. He unveiled the ‘benefits-to-bricks' pledge aimed at extending a home-buying scheme. Will new housing measures be enough to regain the support of the public and the dwindling respect from his party? Also on the podcast, two by-elections are on the way. This...

Boris Johnson was surrounded by opposition at the despatch box when he faced the Labour leader at PMQs today. Did Keir Starmer make the most of his opportunity to score points against the Prime Minister's disappointing result in the confidence vote the night before? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go...

It is the day after the night before when Boris Johnson narrowly survived a confidence vote. Today he held a meeting with the Cabinet to encourage his colleagues that it was time to ‘move on’. ‘This looks like a slow Tory suicide to me’ - Fraser Nelson Some critics have pointed to the fact that shortly after winning a confidence vote with similar margins, John Major, Margaret Thatcher and Theresa...

The results are in. 211 Tory MPs expressed confidence in the Prime Minister, while 148 said they had no confidence in Boris Johnson continuing to lead the Conservative party. While this is technically a win, it is a narrower victory than Theresa May (who looked splendid in her ball gown tonight) got in her no-confidence vote which lead to her resignation only months later. Is this the beginning of...

Boris Johnson will face a confidence vote tonight. Announcing the news this morning, the chair of the 1922 committee Sir Graham Brady said in a statement: 'The threshold of the 15% of the parliamentary party seeking a vote of confidence in the leader of the Conservative Party has been exceeded.' Will he win? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman. Become a Spectator subscriber today...

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday morning’s political programmes, with contributions coming from Grant Shapps, Sadiq Khan and Sir Howard Morrison QC.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acas...

As this week marks the Queen's platinum jubilee, we take a look back at her greatest political achievements in her role as head of state. How important is the relationship between the monarch and the Prime Minister? 'I think there is a restraining act on the behaviour of Prime Ministers, that they will have to explain themselves to the Queen at some point - James Forsyth. Since her reign, she has...

There is a lot of news to cover on Coffee House Shots before the celebrations for the Jubilee begin. First in Westminster with Lord Geidt threatening to resign over Boris Johnson's handling of partygate. Then more internationally to the fraying of the alliance to defend Ukraine. And finally, has Scotland found its Margret Thatcher in Kate Forbes?  Cindy Yu talks with James Forsyth and Fraser Nelso...

The government wants to cut the civil service by over 90,000 people to 2016 levels. Part of the plan is to suspend the Fast Stream recruitment scheme, which hires high-achieving graduates out of university. Why is the government so set on the cut, and is this really the best way to do it? Cindy Yu speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth. James Forsyth: 'If these graduates go and work in the priv...