The government has delayed making any announcements about further Covid restrictions in the face of Omicron for weeks. But with more data coming in every day about this new variant, seemingly showing it leads to a lot less hospitalisations than previous waves, will there even be any new measures at all? 'The science and the vaccines have created the situation where Britain doesn't have to lockdown.' - Fraser Nelson Cindy Yu talks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth about the UK's response to Covi...
Jan 03, 2022•15 min
Boris Johnson chaired a Cabinet meeting yesterday to discuss the imposition of new Covid restrictions over Christmas. After three hours, the Prime Minister emerged to announce that no new restrictions had been decided on. These meetings are usually called for the Cabinet to rubber-stamp a decision made by Boris and his advisers, so what's changed? Reports today suggest that the Prime Minister was actively encouraging opposing voices, and that a majority of the Cabinet was against bringing in new...
Dec 21, 2021•15 min
Isabel Hardman presents the highlights from the final Sunday interview shows of the year. Today's podcast features Sajid Javid, Andrew Bridgen, Wes Streeting, Sir Ed Davey and Andrew Marr. 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....
Dec 19, 2021•11 min
Boris Johnson once boasted that you couldn't hold a cigarette paper between him and David Frost, the man he brought on to take Brexit over the line. Yet this key ally has resigned when the Prime Minister is at his most vulnerable. In his resignation letter, Lord Frost cites his concerns on whether the country is making the most of Brexit to cut taxes and red tape, and the direction of travel when it comes to dealing with the pandemic. On the podcast, Katy Balls talks to Fraser Nelson and James F...
Dec 19, 2021•19 min
Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and James Johnson, the co-founder of the J. L. Partners polling company, about what the Conservative defeat in North Shropshire means for the Prime Minister's future. 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....
Dec 18, 2021•13 min
The Conservative majority of 23,000 was wiped out overnight in North Shropshire, with Liberal Democrat Helen Morgan winning the by-election by nearly 6,000 votes. Tory MPs are already making their frustrations known, with Roger Gale saying Boris Johnson has 'one more strike and he's out', and John Redwood saying it's 'Time to listen to Conservatives.' Is Boris Johnson's leadership in danger? Isabel Hardman speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls. On the podcast, Isabel asks: 'You can change your ...
Dec 17, 2021•11 min
Today saw record numbers of Covid cases with infections higher than the January 2021 lockdown. In reaction to soaring cases, Boris Johnson held a press conference yesterday. Although nothing new was announced, he pushed further on the booster program and encouraged the public to rethink their socialising ahead of Christmas. Many people believe the PM is encouraging a lockdown by stealth, with hospitality venues struggling to cope under staff shortages coupled with vast cancellations. But should ...
Dec 16, 2021•12 min
Last night Boris Johnson suffered the biggest rebellion of his Tory premiership. But, unlike his predecessor, he still managed to get his vote through with Labour's support. Nearly 100 Conservative MPs voted against the government's plans for vaccine passports. Their reasons for rebelling varied. For some, they want to send a message to the PM that he cannot take his majority for granted. For others, it is about the principle of vaccine passports. 'Boris Johnson is proving to be a deeply illiber...
Dec 15, 2021•22 min
Christopher Whitty has told the public he expects a 'significant increase' in Omicron hospitalisations over the next few weeks. The chief medical officer is concerned about the pressures this new variant will put on the NHS. Could he be overreacting? In contrast, there are encouraging signs coming from South Africa that continue to show that Omicron is less severe than Delta. The Commons vote on vaccine passports is looming where Boris Johnson could face a rebellion larger than his majority. The...
Dec 14, 2021•12 min
Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls, James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about the contents of - and the potential fallout from - Boris Johnson's address to the nation last night. 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....
Dec 13, 2021•12 min
Cindy Yu hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with today's guests including Sir Keir Starmer, Nadhim Zahawi, Steve Baker and Dr Susan Hopkins. 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....
Dec 12, 2021•11 min
Isabel Hardman talks to Katy Balls and the New Statesman 's Stephen Bush about the possibility of an upset next Thursday in the seat recently vacated by Owen Paterson. 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....
Dec 11, 2021•17 min
Boris Johnson's problems are not going away anytime soon and he is facing extreme pressure on several fronts going into the weekend. Hypocrisy charges from the media and the Labour Party, more scandal regarding the No. 10 flat refurbishment, and a massive Tory rebellion regarding his Plan B measures. Not to mention his recent announcement that it is time to have a serious conversation about vaccine mandates. 'This anger is diffuse across the parliamentary party. It isn't just one ideological fac...
Dec 10, 2021•12 min
Cindy Yu speaks to Isabel Hardman and Kate Andrews about the level of Conservative support for the Prime Minister after his latest Covid restrictions, and the Electoral Commission's findings about the refurbishment of the flat above No. 11. 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...
Dec 09, 2021•12 min
Cindy Yu talks to Kate Andrews, Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about the contents of the Prime Minster's latest Covid press conference. 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....
Dec 08, 2021•15 min
It is all kicking off in Westminster. A leaked video has emerged where the former Prime Minister's spokesperson is seen laughing when questioned about a Christmas party at 10 Downing Street last year. In yet another blow, many Conservatives shared their dismay at the leaked footage. At PMQs, Boris Johnson said that he is furious about the video but remains adamant that no lockdown rules were broken last Christmas. Also on the podcast, more talk of vaccine passports are spreading through Westmins...
Dec 08, 2021•20 min
A new 40-page document written by Raphael Marshall, a former desk officer at the Foreign Office, depicts a disorganised mess in the handling of this year's Afghanistan withdrawal. 'I think the picture that is painted of chaos... it raises a whole slew of questions.' - James Forsyth Katy Balls and James Forsyth dissect some of the key accusations in this report and give us an update on tensions between the US and Russia over Ukraine and the spread of the Omicron variant. Subscribe to The Spectato...
Dec 07, 2021•12 min
Boris Johnson is launching a week of crime-related government announcements. Tackling middle-class drug use tops the agenda today, and the Prime Minister watched police raid a home in Liverpool this morning as part of 'Operation Toxic' to infiltrate county lines drug dealing. But with a report from the Sunday Times revealing that traces of cocaine were found in several of Parliament's lavatories, and some Cabinet ministers having previously been asked about their own drug use before entering pol...
Dec 06, 2021•13 min
Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Today's best bits come from Dominic Raab, Dame Rachel de Souza and Jim McMahon. 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....
Dec 05, 2021•12 min
With the Omicron variant putting everyone on edge, there has been quite a bit of mixed messaging from the government about how we should all be conducting ourselves this festive period. With a bizarre emphasis placed on snogging - some preaching caution, others saying snog away. 'I don't think I've ever heard people say the word snogging this much in my entire life.' - Isabel Hardman Katy Balls talks to Fraser Nelson, Isabel Hardman, and James Forsyth about the cabinet's conflicting advice and t...
Dec 04, 2021•15 min
The by-election last night was a result for the Tories. However, their majority for this seat fell dramatically. Labour tried to badge it as good news for them, claiming that they are 'back in business'. But the poor voter turnout was more likely the reason for the fall in Tory votes rather than a swing in Labour's direction. With this win, will the Conservatives move on from the difficult month they’ve had? Perhaps not with more scandals appearing. Tory peer, Michelle Mone has just been accused...
Dec 03, 2021•11 min
A lot of news coming out of Europe this week. From French President Emmanuel Macron calling Boris Johnson a clown, to more extreme Covid prevention methods rolling out in Germany. Will Anglo-French tensions cool, boil or simmer? Are we going to see the return of talks about Covid passports and vaccine mandates? Isabel Hardman looks for answers to these questions with James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Subscribe to The Spectator's Evening Blend email, from Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls, for analysis o...
Dec 02, 2021•11 min
Keir Starmer went on the attack today at PMQs. The controversy over last years Christmas party resurfaced, with accusations that No.10 breached lockdown rules. He then went on to criticise the government's new hospitals program. Boris was dealt another blow, this time from his own side. Tory MPs are in uproar about the threats of growing restrictions. Yesterday, two votes in the commons over the new Covid rules led to another rebellion. '40 is considered the problematic number for a rebellion. T...
Dec 01, 2021•12 min
Yesterday Keir Starmer's Labour Party announced a new reshuffle of its shadow cabinet. It just coincidentally happened on the same day Angela Rayner gave a big speech on Tory sleaze, leading some to speculate on friction within the party. 'What you can't avoid is that they ultimately decided to do the reshuffle on a day where Angela Rayner, the deputy leader was trying to make a big statement that would lead the news.' - Katy Balls Isabel Hardman talks with Katy Balls and James Forsyth about Lab...
Nov 30, 2021•10 min
We are slowly learning more and more about this new Covid variant, but it could be weeks before we know just how contagious and harmful it could be. Wasting no time, over the weekend the government has banned travel from certain countries and tightened domestic Covid measures. 'It's fair to say that ministers are anxious enough to bring back things that they have developed a personal resistance too.' - Isabel Hardman To discuss the ramifications of Omicron Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and I...
Nov 29, 2021•10 min
Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Guests today include Sajid Javid, Nicola Sturgeon and 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....
Nov 28, 2021•13 min
The migrants that tragically lost their lives in the English Channel has caused Anglo- French relations to further deteriorate. There is a theory however, that it suits Macron’s purpose to be in a perpetual war with the Brits. Could this be the case when migrants are still in the hands of the traffickers? ' These people-smuggling gangs are becoming more sophisticated in their operations' - James Forsyth Meanwhile, sports shops such as Decathlon on the French coast have stopped selling dinghy boa...
Nov 27, 2021•15 min
A new Covid variant dubbed 'Nu' has been discovered in South Africa and the UK has already put travel restrictions in place. Though early tests have shown that Nu is more transmissible, we don't know conclusively if it is any more deadly or can evade vaccines. 'We don't know yet, whether this variant is more severe or not.' - James Forsyth With people already worrying if this, if handled poorly, could lead to another Christmas lockdown, Isabel Hardman talks with Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth a...
Nov 26, 2021•10 min
The 27 migrants that tragically lost their lives whilst trying to cross the English Channel have sparked urgent appeals for Priti to resolve the migrant crisis. However, there is still no stopping some migrants attempting to flee their homes. ‘By 8.30 this morning, three more boats had arrived on the coast, even after the news had broken’ - James Forsyth How can this problem be solved within the confines of international law? And what are the migrants’ motivations for leaving their homes? Is it ...
Nov 25, 2021•16 min
With multiple weeks of bad publicity and rumours of some Conservative MPs sending in letters of no confidence, today’s PMQs witnessed much more noise than last week’s. However, is the Prime Minster hitting back at critics, including a more confident Keir Starmer, effectively? ‘Today I thought Keir Starmer looked like he was actually really enjoying himself, and that is a sign of a shifted political mood.’ - James Forsyth Katy Balls discusses these topics with James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman. Su...
Nov 24, 2021•10 min
