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Iran: has Starmer alienated Britain's allies? Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, the British government continues to face questions about its response. Was the UK too slow to act, and if so – why? Tim Shipman reveals in the Spectator today that Keir Starmer was initially minded to approve American use of British bases but was persuaded not to by other figures, including Ed Miliband. How much damage has this done with the Americans and also wider European allies? Defence Secretary John Healey has landed in Cyprus today on a damage-limitation mission – or in a show of strength, depending on your viewpoint. Has Starmer been weakened by these events?

Plus – Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has revealed further asylum reforms. Will the reforms neutralise the issue of immigration for voters?

Tim Shipman and James Heale join Patrick Gibbons to discuss.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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Labour humiliated by Chinese spy arrests Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

It was a bad tempered PMQs today – Kemi Badenoch attacked Starmer over his involvement, or lack thereof with the Iran conflict. And Starmer hit back at Badenoch over her questions. Not the type of unity you'd want to see on the major foreign policy issue of the day. Also today, three more arrests have been made related to Chinese spy allegations. One of them is the partner of a Labour MP Joani Reid, who has said she is 'not part of' her husbands business activities. James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman.

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For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.

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Spring statement: everything you need to know Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Rachel Reeves has today delivered her much anticipated spring statement, her opportunity to address the looming energy crisis, the uncertainty in the Middle East and the crashing Labour market … unfortunately, she did none of the above.

The Treasury promised that the spring statement was going to be boring – and at least it delivered on that pledge. For twenty painful minutes, Reeves rattled off her familiar lines about ‘stability’ and Liz Truss. Is this another wasted opportunity for Labour and the Chancellor? What will it mean for her own ‘stability’?

Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Michael Simmons.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.

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Iran: is Starmer doomed to repeat Blair's mistake? Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

The fallout from America's audacious attack on Iran continues, and there are a whole host of questions for Keir Starmer.

The prime minister has been accused of being slow to react, having initially confirmed that ‘the United Kingdom played no role in these strikes', Labour since agreed to allow the Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford bases to be used for ‘defensive’ strikes on Iranian missiles sites. This came after Tehran began to hit back at Britain’s regional allies. Is Britain about to be sucked into another costly war in the Middle East? Should the PM stand up to Donald Trump? And will America's attack result in regime change, or are things only going to get worse?

James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Michael Stephens, Middle East expert.

Produced by Megan McElroy and Oscar Edmondson.

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For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.

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Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 01/03/2026 Mar 01, 2026

Show notes

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, as the US and Israel continue to strike targets across Iran. It is a seismic moment for the Middle East and the world, the consequences of which are yet to be seen.

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LIVE: The Spectator’s Alternative Covid Inquiry Feb 28, 2026

Show notes

As the official Covid Inquiry comes to an end, the Spectator has convened a panel of our own experts to ask the questions that the Inquiry didn’t – or wouldn’t – answer. The Spectator’s commissioning editor Lara Brown is joined by science writer and Conservative peer Matt Ridley, Oxford professor of theoretical epidemiology Sunetra Gupta, former Supreme Court judge Jonathan Sumption, journalist Christopher Snowdon and science writer Tom Whipple.

This is a condensed version of the event. Subscribers can access the full event via Spectator TV and you can find more events from the Spectator here.

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How Gorton & Denton changed British politics | with Luke Tryl Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

In the end, it was not even that close. The Green party has stormed to victory in Gorton and Denton, winning their first ever parliamentary by-election by more than 4,000 votes.

The result changes everything: the Lib Dems are no longer the party of the protest vote; Reform's tanks are parked on Labour's lawn; the left has split; and the Tories are nowhere to be seen. The era of two-party politics is well and truly over, and this morning's result could well be remembered as the moment when that became glaringly apparent. Where do we go from here?

James Heale and Tim Shipman discuss with pollster Luke Tryl.

Produced by Megan McElroy and Oscar Edmondson.

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Green victory in Gorton and Denton Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

The Greens have taken Gorton and Denton, defeating both Labour and Reform in the early hours of this morning. Hannah Spencer’s victory marks the first ever Green by-election gain – but the real shock is Labour’s collapse into third place in one of its safest seats. For Sir Keir Starmer, it’s hard to imagine a worse result. Labour MPs are up bright and early briefing against the Prime Minister, whose odds of a leadership challenge just soared.

Tim Shipman and James Heale join Megan McElroy to discuss.

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For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.

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Spring statement: Reeves' last throw of the dice? Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Polls are open in Gorton and Denton for the by-election but as we eagerly await the result we thought we’d discuss economics, because looking ahead to next week we’ve got the spring statement. It’s not a major fiscal event – as Rachel Reeves will be anxious to point out – but one which is taking on lots more significance not least by what is being floated… which is not a huge amount. We are expecting a policy light announcement, although many are hoping there could be something in there on student loans. Will the Chancellor emerge from this statement stronger?

Also on the podcast, The Spectator’s cover piece focuses on the quid pro quo between the Exchequer and bankers and how this has come to define Rachel Reeves’ treasury. Are Labour too close to the banks?

Oscar Edmondson speaks to Tim Shipman and Michael Simmons.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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.

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Badenoch rattles Starmer – but are they as bad as each other? Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

Megan McElroy unpacks a rowdy PMQs with Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman. Kemi Badenoch made Keir Starmer uncomfortable over student loans but – at a time when trust in the Conservative brand is low – could some of her rhetoric backfire? Plus, what did they make of the revelation that it was the Speaker of the House Lindsay Hoyle that reported Peter Mandelson to police as a flight risk?

Produced by Megan McElroy and Patrick Gibbons.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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