Now that Huawei is banned, China hawks in the Conservative Party are turning their attention to social media platform TikTok, which is owned by a Chinese company. It comes as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives in the UK today to meet with Conservative backbenchers and the government to discuss China further. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about what to expect from the government on China next. Also on the episode: the race to buy up vaccines and Cabinet's return to nor...
Jul 20, 2020•16 min
Katy Balls hosts the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Russian ambassador Andrei Kelin and Shadow Foreign Secretary 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. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 19, 2020•12 min
James Forsyth writes in this week's Spectator that the Union is the biggest challenge facing this government, despite everything that is going on with the pandemic. Support for Scottish independence continues to grow north of the border. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and our Scotland Editor Alex Massie about what the Tories can do about this. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday. Become a S...
Jul 18, 2020•15 min
In a press conference from Downing Street today, Boris Johnson set out the road to 'significant normality' - but not until November. It's a more cautious position than had been previously briefed, but is even this timeline too optimistic? John Connolly talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go...
Jul 17, 2020•12 min
Chris Grayling failed to win the chairmanship of the Intelligence and Security Committee on Wednesday evening. In his stead, Julian Lewis clinched the position, and No 10 withdrew the whip from Lewis. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about why this happened and whether it's better to rule by fear or love. Also on the episode: Shamima Begum and Patrick Vallance's comments on working from home. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each we...
Jul 16, 2020•16 min
Boris Johnson has confirmed that there will be an inquiry into the handling of the pandemic after a possible second wave is over. On the podcast, Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about what it will find and who should be worried. Watch the Spectator's own inquiry into the government's handling of the pandemic on Thursday evening at 6pm with Andrew Neil, Katy Balls, James Forsyth, and Kate Andrews. Tickets here . Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast withou...
Jul 15, 2020•15 min
Much as expected, the government has u-turned on Huawei, though the new government policy doesn't go as far as some of the most hardline Tory MPs would wish. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about the UK's China policy in the years to come. Also on the episode: masks and the Union. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcas...
Jul 14, 2020•21 min
In recent days, more supportive noises have been made by those on the top of government about the wearing of face masks indoors, especially in shops. Scotland has already made it compulsory. But it wasn't long ago when the government was saying that face masks may even harm efforts to control the virus. So does anyone know the truth about face masks? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlig...
Jul 13, 2020•15 min
Katy Balls presents the highlights from Sunday's political inerviews, today featuring Michael Gove, Lucy Powell and Sir Richard Dearlove. 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....
Jul 12, 2020•12 min
Dominic Cummings will be touring key Ministry of Defence sites ahead of this year's defence review. So how would he like to reform the UK's military and defence capabilities? Katy Balls finds out from James Forsyth and the Times's Defence Editor Lucy Fisher. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find o...
Jul 11, 2020•13 min
New lockdown easing measures have been announced, so later this month swimming pools, gyms, and outdoor theatres will be reopening in England. At the same time, the government advice on offices is still to work from home and do not travel by public transport. So are offices and trains really much less safe than beauty salons and pools? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inb...
Jul 10, 2020•11 min
The Chancellor's statement has gone down well but the big question is how the government will pay for all this. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about the possibility of tax rises, why the Governor of the Bank of England is still planning to address the 1922 committee, John Lewis's troubles, and Mark Sedwill's severance pay. Subscribe to the Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday. Become a Spectat...
Jul 09, 2020•15 min
The Chancellor has given his mini-Budget in a statement to the Commons today, and among a raft of stimulus measures from a VAT cut to stamp duty reduction, he has announced measures designed to keep down unemployment. But the government is clearly braced for a wave of unemployment when furlough ends, so are his pledges enough? Katy Balls talks to Kate Andrews and James Forsyth. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher. Become a Spectator subscrib...
Jul 08, 2020•15 min
Boris Johnson has rowed back on comments suggesting that care homes suffered from the pandemic because they did not follow procedure, after a widespread backlash. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about whether or not social care reform is inevitable, as well as why Andrew Bailey planned to address the Tory 1922 committee and the Magnitsky Act. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher. Become a Spectator subscriber to...
Jul 07, 2020•13 min
Rishi Sunak has announced a £1.6 billion bailout for the arts industry, which was more generous than many were expecting. On the podcast, Katy Balls talks to Kate Andrews and James Forsyth about why this is. They also discuss Pret's troubles and the coming Huawei u-turn. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spec...
Jul 06, 2020•13 min
Katy Balls presents the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with Matt Hancock, Anneliese Dodds and Sir Simon Stevens. 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....
Jul 05, 2020•10 min
Downing St has announced that it will be televising its afternoon lobby press briefing, come October. Inspired by the daily coronavirus briefings, it's a shake-up that supporters say could improve transparency. On the podcast, Katy Balls speaks to former No 10 comms chief Craig Oliver, James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson. They also take a punt at which experienced broadcaster may be brought in to deliver the briefing. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift...
Jul 04, 2020•13 min
One day to go until 'Super Saturday', when pubs and restaurants in England (except Leicester) will reopen. But polls show that only a small minority of Brits will go back to the pubs. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about what this would mean for post-pandemic recovery. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out ...
Jul 03, 2020•12 min
The government has set out its guidelines for how schools will look come September. Attendance will be compulsory, and even Labour is on board. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the new world of schooling. Also on the podcast: why the Frost-Barnier meeting broke up a day early and Scotland's lockdown easing. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go ...
Jul 02, 2020•14 min
China's new national security law has been passed in Hong Kong, and from this morning it has been implemented as handfuls of protestors have already been arrested under its new wide-ranging powers. Dominic Raab has pledged to speed up the process to offer British residency for Hong Kong's BNO passport holders and their dependents. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about whether or not the government should go further. Also on the podcast: the local lockdown in Leicester and Keir Sta...
Jul 01, 2020•17 min
The country is facing a post-pandemic recession that will leave millions unemployed and businesses bankrupted, so despite all the noise, is Boris's 'New Deal' tackling the right problems? Our Economics Correspondent Kate Andrews joins the podcast today, and tells James Forsyth and Katy Balls why she thinks today's announcement was little more than rehashing of the Conservatives' pre-coronavirus manifesto. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher....
Jun 30, 2020•15 min
Leicester is set to lock down locally. It's an approach that the Prime Minister has dubbed 'whack-a-mole', referring to clampdowns on local clusters that will inevitably arise in the coming months. All eyes are on Leicester's experience now as it signals whether or not the national lockdown is a thing of the past. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson. Also on the podcast: the government's schools funding and socially distanced weddings. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator ...
Jun 29, 2020•16 min
The Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill has announced that he will be stepping down in September, though his resignation letter suggests that it wasn't necessarily his decision. This move comes as Michael Gove makes a wide-ranging speech on reform of the civil service. The government looks to be gearing up its Whitehall reform, and on the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about how these events are all linked. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £2...
Jun 28, 2020•14 min
Cindy Yu presents the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Priti Patel, Jonathan Reynolds and Ed Miliband. 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....
Jun 28, 2020•12 min
Throughout the leadership contest, Keir Starmer was careful not to upset the delicate balance between the hard left and the moderates in the party. But with the sacking of Rebecca Long Bailey, he has risked the wrath of the Corbynites and unambiguously moved the party on from the era of Corbyn. Has he triggered a new Labour civil war? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and the New Statesman's Stephen Bush. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher....
Jun 27, 2020•13 min
The government wants the country to head back out and boost the economy, but scenes at Bournemouth beach and elsewhere reflect the government's dilemma - how much reopening is enough to keep the economy afloat, but without triggering a second wave of infections? John Connolly speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator...
Jun 26, 2020•14 min
After retweeting an interview with Maxine Peake in which the actress voiced an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory, Rebecca Long Bailey has been sacked as the shadow education secretary. On the podcast, Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about whether or not this will trigger a Corbynite backlash. The Spectator is looking for the UK's brightest entrepreneurs for our Economic Innovator of the Year Awards, sponsored by private bank Julius Baer. If you run a business that brings radical posi...
Jun 25, 2020•11 min
With Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth. Presented by Katy Balls. The Spectator is looking for the UK's brightest entrepreneurs for our Economic Innovator of the Year Awards, sponsored by private bank Julius Baer. If you run a business that brings radical positive change and is capable of achieving national or international impact, we want to hear from you. Apply by 1 July at www.spectator.co.uk/innovator . Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator....
Jun 24, 2020•13 min
Boris Johnson has announced further measures to ease the lockdown, and from the 4th July, more venues will be open than not, including restaurants, pubs, and galleries. It also marks a new phase in the lockdown, when social distancing will be guidelines, not law. But does the public actually want the lockdown to be eased? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson. The Spectator is looking for the UK's brightest entrepreneurs for our Economic Innovator of the Year Awards, sponsored by p...
Jun 23, 2020•13 min
There's a rebellion brewing on the backbenches - MPs claim that there are over 50 backbenchers who oppose the government's proposal to loosen Sunday trading laws. On the podcast, Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about whether there might be more to this rebellion than initially meets the eye. The Spectator is partnering with private bank Julius Baer to find the UK's brightest entrepreneurs for our Economic Innovator of the Year Awards. If you run a business that brings radical...
Jun 22, 2020•15 min
