Coffee House Shots
by The SpectatorInstant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Fraser Nelson, Isabel Hardman, Katy Balls, James Heale and many others.
Episodes
Can John Swinney turn it around for the SNP?
14m · Published
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 job, and can he turn things around for the party in time for a general election?
James Heale speaks to Lucy Dunn and Fergus Mutch, former SNP adviser.
Produced by Megan McElroy.
James Heale speaks to Lucy Dunn and Fergus Mutch, former SNP adviser.
Produced by Megan McElroy.
The UK leaves recession – but is it too late for the Tories?
10m · Published
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 in the first three months of the year, thanks in large part to stronger-than-expected growth in March, which reached 0.4 per cent. But is the plan really working?
Also on the podcast, Keir Starmer gave a speech in Dover this morning on Labour's plans to stop the boats. He also took the opportunity to unveil new Labour MP Natalie Elphicke. Is there any clear blue water between Labour and the Tories when it comes to migration?
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Kate Andrews and James Heale.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Also on the podcast, Keir Starmer gave a speech in Dover this morning on Labour's plans to stop the boats. He also took the opportunity to unveil new Labour MP Natalie Elphicke. Is there any clear blue water between Labour and the Tories when it comes to migration?
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Kate Andrews and James Heale.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Can Lammy charm Trump?
14m · Published
This week, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy is stateside, meeting with senior advisors to Donald Trump and hoping to charm them. Meanwhile, David Cameron gives his first set-piece policy speech. Who is the more credible statesman? Cindy Yu talks to James Heale and Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform.
Produced by Cindy Yu.
Produced by Cindy Yu.
Why does Labour want Natalie Elphicke?
12m · Published
The MP for Dover, Natalie Elphicke, has shocked MPs and pundits across the political spectrum by defecting to the Labour party today. In her resignation letter, she accused the Conservative party for having 'abandoned' the 'centre ground'. But for someone who has vocally criticised Labour in the past, how helpful is Elphicke's defection? Oscar Edmondson talks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Cindy Yu.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Cindy Yu.
Will there really be a hung parliament?
13m · Published
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 election, there might be a hung parliament. Could this be a reality?
The Spectator's James Heale and Katy Balls are joined by Chris Hopkins, Political Research Director at Savanta.
Produced by Megan McElroy.
The Spectator's James Heale and Katy Balls are joined by Chris Hopkins, Political Research Director at Savanta.
Produced by Megan McElroy.
What does Andy Street's defeat mean for Rishi Sunak?
10m · Published
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 Andy Street to become West Midlands mayor, with only around 1500 votes in it. What does his loss mean for Rishi Sunak, and where do the overall results leave him? Katy Balls and James Heale speak to Megan McElroy.
Produced by Megan McElroy.
Produced by Megan McElroy.
Have the Tories avoided a local election catastrophe?
9m · Published
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 mayor. Houchen secured 53.6 per cent of the vote with Labour in second place with 41.3 per cent, despite some polls in advance suggesting it was neck-and-neck between the Tories and Labour. The Conservatives have undeniably had one of their worst nights for a generation, but are there some silver linings?
James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson.
Produced by Natasha Feroze and Oscar Edmondson.
James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson.
Produced by Natasha Feroze and Oscar Edmondson.
Labour triumphs in Blackpool as Tories suffer heavy losses
14m · Published
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 are defending – looks on track so far. Labour comfortably won the Blackpool South by-election with a 26 per cent swing and it has also taken several key councils, including Rushmoor which has been Tory-run for the last 24 years. A Gaza backlash has seen Labour lose Oldham while the Conservatives have suffered a string of council losses, coming within 120 votes being beaten by Reform in Blackpool.
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Can Ben Houchen save Rishi Sunak?
12m · Published
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 crime commissioner elections in England and Wales plus the London Assembly elections. Could Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, help turn Rishi Sunak's fortunes around?
You can read James Heale's assessment of the key battlegrounds here.
Also on the podcast, a look at rumours that Labour are in talks to water down their employment policies.
Lucy Dunn speaks to James Heale and John McTernan, former adviser to Tony Blair.
You can read James Heale's assessment of the key battlegrounds here.
Also on the podcast, a look at rumours that Labour are in talks to water down their employment policies.
Lucy Dunn speaks to James Heale and John McTernan, former adviser to Tony Blair.
Will the Tories' mental health focus backfire?
17m · Published
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 more people off work for mental health related issues, could the Tories’ focus backfire if the public think they’re trivialising mental health? Also on the podcast, a look ahead to the mayoral elections.
James Heale discusses with Isabel Hardman and Luke Tryl, UK Director at More in Common.
Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
James Heale discusses with Isabel Hardman and Luke Tryl, UK Director at More in Common.
Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
Coffee House Shots has 1018 episodes in total of non- explicit content. Total playtime is 228:32:28. The language of the podcast is English. This podcast has been added on November 25th 2022. It might contain more episodes than the ones shown here. It was last updated on June 7th, 2024 10:10.
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