Coffee House Shots

Instant political analysis from The Spectator's top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Isabel Hardman, James Heale, Lucy Dunn and many others.

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Episodes

To spend or not to spend

Rachel Reeves unveiled billions of pounds of investment today for transport and infrastructure projects, as Labour attempts to demonstrate that next week’s spending review is not just about departmental cuts. However, most of the political noise today has centred on her announcement that the winter fuel cut will be reversed by the end of the year. But what does this all mean for the average voter, for the Chancellor’s fiscal headroom – and why is the government still blaming its own ‘fiscal rule...

Jun 04, 2025•16 min

Is the public ready for difficult decisions on defence?

Former Commander of Joint Forces Command – and one of the authors of the Strategic Defence Review – General Sir Richard Barrons joins Lucy Dunn and James Heale to talk through the main conclusions of the review, and the questions it raises. Labour have talked up the fact that this is the first government in a generation to not reduce the size of the armed forces. But, as Sir Richard explains, difficult choices await politicians and the public if the UK wants to be more prepared, and faster, for ...

Jun 03, 2025•16 min

Is Britain 'battle-ready'?

Today the government has published the long-awaited strategic defence review. The brief was to take a new look at some of the challenges to the UK in 2025, and what is needed to ensure our security and reset our defence priorities. We are still waiting for some of the detail, but so far we know: £15 billion for new warheads to be carried by the new Dreadnought-class submarines; a dozen new SSN-Aukus attack submarines; £1.5 billion to build at least six munitions' factories; £6 billion to procure...

Jun 02, 2025•12 min

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 01/06/2025

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows. Defence Secretary John Healey says the nature of war is changing, and admits Britain has an army retention crisis. Elsewhere, Robert Jenrick wants to arm prison officers, and Zia Yusuf talks up Reform’s plan to cut £350bn in public spending. Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 01, 2025•14 min

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