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Coffee House Shots — News & Politics
Coffee House Shots

Daily political analysis from The Spectator’s top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Tim Shipman, Isabel Hardman, James Heale and many others.

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Latest Episodes:

Should Rachel Reeves be at Davos? Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

It’s Davos day two, and Rachel Reeves has touched down in Switzerland to continue her hunt for growth. On the agenda today was a fireside chat with the Business Secretary on ‘The Year Ahead for the UK’, and she will also be attending a series of meetings with business leaders. The party line is that ‘the time to invest in Britain is now’; however, she will be doing this from the sidelines, having not been given one of the headline speaking slots. Can she bring home the bacon? And why is Davos so important?
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Rupert Harrison, former chief of staff to George Osborne.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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Why wasn’t the Southport killer stopped? Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

At a press conference this morning, Keir Starmer moved quickly to announce a public inquiry into the Southport murders. This comes after Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty to murdering three girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift–themed dance class last year. The Prime Minister promised that ‘no stone’ will be ‘left unturned’ when it comes to asking the ‘difficult questions… unburdened by cultural or institutional sensitivities’.
Chief among these difficult questions is why – when Rudakubana had been referred to the counter-extremism Prevent programme three times – he wasn’t stopped? And is there any substance to claims by Nigel Farage of a ‘cover-up’?
Katy Balls speaks to James Heale and Danny Shaw, former adviser to Yvette Cooper.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Photo: Merseyside Police

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Could Trump 2.0 derail the Starmer project? Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

The parties - and protests - have already kicked off, as Trump's inauguration gets underway in Washington D.C. today. Katy Balls speaks to Michael Gove and Republicans Overseas UK's Sarah Elliott about what we can expect from the first week of Trump's second presidency, and how Keir Starmer will attempt to navigate the 'special relationship'. Sarah updates us on the mood in the US capital; which UK politicians have been spotted joining in on the fun?
Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 19/01/2025 Jan 19, 2025

Show notes

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows.
It’s a momentous few days, as a ceasefire begins in Gaza, and the US prepares for Trump’s inauguration. We hear about the plight of the hostages and their families, and then Darren Jones and Priti Patel give their opinion on the UK’s relationship with the incoming president.

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Reeves's worst week so far? Jan 18, 2025

Show notes

It's been a tricky week for Rachel Reeves: an onslaught of criticism for the levels of borrowing costs, GDP at 0.1 per cent, and stagflation still gripping the UK economy. Remarkably she has come out of it looking stronger – politically at least. But can she afford to celebrate? The Spectator's Kate Andrews and data editor Michael Simmons join the podcast to discuss the economy, and go through some of the most striking graphs from The Spectator's data hub this week.
Produced by Natasha Feroze.

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Labour caves on grooming gangs Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

There will be more inquiries into grooming gangs. After sustained pressure, the Home Secretary announced yesterday a series of local, government-backed inquiries, rather than a full public inquiry. Critics argue that this either doesn’t go far enough, or that Labour have been forced to go back on their word by certain figures on the right and are now making policy on the hoof. Will these new inquiries deliver an adequate resolution?
Also on the podcast, Kemi Badenoch wasn't the only one giving a big speech yesterday, Ed Davey had an event of his own. He is pushing for a new customs union deal with the EU. Have they not learnt from their 2019 election pitch?
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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Is Starmer doing enough for Ukraine? Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

Keir Starmer is in Ukraine today, on his first visit to Kyiv since becoming Prime Minister. And he came bearing gifts: a 100-year partnership agreement between the UK and Ukraine, covering nine ‘pillars’ from culture to science. It is hoped that the new pact will define the relationship between the two countries well beyond the current conflict with Russia. This is all in the context of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, with his administration agitating for a peace deal. Is peace on the horizon?
Also on the podcast, Kemi Badenoch's big speech – in which she criticised the decisions made by successive Tory prime ministers – was overshadowed by the announcement that there will be government-backed inquiries into grooming gangs. Is this the right call?
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Mark Galeotti, head of Mayak Intelligence and honorary professor at UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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Why would the government pay Gerry Adams? Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

With rumours swirling around Westminster and after Keir Starmer’s less than convincing defence of his Chancellor earlier in the week, Rachel Reeves has found some brief respite. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed that inflation dipped to 2.5 per cent in the 12 months to December, down from 2.6 per cent the month before. It’s welcome news for a Chancellor who is under pressure, so is she safe?
Elsewhere, there is a fresh row emerging concerning Gerry Adams. The government is proposing to repeal legislation, enacted in 2023, that prevents Gerry Adams and 400 others from claiming ‘compensation’ for having been detained in the 1970s for suspected involvement in terrorism. Keir Starmer has said that he and his ministers will look at ‘every conceivable way’ to block Gerry Adams from receiving government money, but will they end up paying out? And who is Lord Hermer KC, and why is he at the centre of all of this?
Katy Balls speaks to Michael Gove and Kate Andrews.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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Is Reform about to overtake Labour? And Tulip Siddiq resigns Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

New voting intention polling today puts Reform neck and neck with Labour. The YouGov/Times poll reveals that support for Starmer’s army has plummeted nine points, with just over a quarter of Brits backing the government – while Nigel Farage’s Reform party has seen its support soar by 10 points. Kemi Badenoch’s Tories have lost two points, while the canvassing of 2,279 adults – carried out between 12–13 January – shows the Lib Dems and the Greens both gained one. Perhaps the most damning news, however, is that only half of those who backed Labour in the 2024 election would vote for them next time. Where is Reform drawing these votes from? Is this polling worse for Labour, or the Tories?
Also, earlier today Tulip Siddiq resigned from her in the Treasury after allegations she lived in homes tied to her aunt’s ousted regime in Bangladesh. Was this inevitable?
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Scarlett Maguire, director at JL Partners.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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Sturgeon-Murrell split & Scotland's Reform challenger Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

Former Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced she is separating from her husband Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the SNP. The announcement comes as the police probe into the SNP’s funds and finances remains ongoing, with Sturgeon and ex-SNP treasurer Colin Beattie under investigation while Murrell was charged with embezzlement in April 2024.
Katy Balls is joined by The Spectator’s editor Michael Gove, and data editor Michael Simmons, to discuss the separation, why the investigation is still ongoing four years later, and what chances Scottish Labour or Reform have against the SNP in 2025.

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