Keir Starmer delivered his new year's speech, promising 'Project Hope' ahead of the general election. Critics claimed the speech was rhetoric heavy, low on policy. Having attacked the Prime Minister for dithering over the May general election, Rishi Sunak later announced it was his 'working assumption' to hold the general election in autumn 2024. Was this a communications win for No.10? And can Starmer still garner support by playing it safe? Natasha Feroze speaks to James Heale and former Labou...
Jan 04, 2024•18 min
As junior doctors begin the longest strike in history, Lucy Dunn speaks to Isabel Hardman and Kate Andrews about whether public support for industrial action is starting to wane, and how talks might be different under Labour. The Spectator is hiring! We are looking for a new producer to join our broadcast team working across our suite of podcasts – including this one – as well as our YouTube channel Spectator TV. Follow the link to read the full job listing: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/w...
Jan 03, 2024•15 min
Rishi Sunak has claimed that the Conservatives have cleared the 92,000 asylum claims, despite figures showing the backlog still stands at tens of thousands of applicants, with several thousand missing. Natasha Feroze speaks to James Heale and Fraser Nelson about the figures, and whether blags like these are a gift to The Reform party. The Spectator is hiring! We are looking for a new producer to join our broadcast team working across our suite of podcasts – including this one – as well as our Yo...
Jan 02, 2024•12 min
How well did Rishi Sunak do on his five pledges? Are we any clearer on what Keir Starmer stands for? Is the SNP done for in Scotland? On this episode, Cindy Yu, Katy Balls, James Heale and Coffee House Shots regular Stephen Bush look back on the past year in British politics. Produced by Cindy Yu and Joe Bedell-Brill.
Dec 21, 2023•27 min
Rishi Sunak appeared in front of the Liaison Committee this afternoon. In an interview with The Spectator last week, the PM said that he was enjoying the job. So why did he seem so agitated at the grilling today? Max Jeffery speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Heale.
Dec 19, 2023•13 min
Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps have signalled a shift in the British position towards the Israel-Gaza conflict, suggesting that British support for Israel's actions may be time-limited. James Heale talks to Katy Balls and Stephen Bush. Produced by Cindy Yu.
Dec 18, 2023•10 min
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday’s political shows. Baroness Michelle Mone admits she lied about her involvement in PPE deal but also claims she and her husband have done nothing wrong. Oliver Dowden rejects accusations of cronyism in government, but Wes Streeting says Labour would investigate pandemic corruption. Streeting also says the NHS needs reform not more money. And Rishi Sunak thinks Rwanda legislation is the ‘best thing we can get’. Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill....
Dec 17, 2023•14 min
The big economic news of the week was that the Bank of England has held interest rates at 5.25 per cent for the third consecutive time. This was the expected outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee’s latest vote, but it wasn’t unanimous. There were six MPC votes to hold rates but three to raise it to 5.5 per cent. Should we expect a rate cut any time soon? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews. Produced by Oscar Edmondson....
Dec 15, 2023•10 min
The big political news today is the Standards Committee recommendation against Scott Benton, meaning a likely by-election in Blackpool South. He was the MP caught on camera by the Times in April, allegedly boasting about lobbying ministers for cash to a gambling firm. When will Rishi catch a break? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Paul Goodman, editor of Conservative Home.
Dec 14, 2023•10 min
The Tories are reeling from a week of painful infighting over Rwanda. Who are the ‘five families’ of Conservative dissenters? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews.
Dec 13, 2023•13 min
The government has won this evening’s vote on the ‘safety of Rwanda’ bill comfortably at 313 votes to 269 against. This means Rishi Sunak has managed to pass his bill at second reading after a day of negotiations with the various Tory tribes. Not a single Tory MP voted against the bill but 38 conservative MPs abstained. Katy Balls and James Heale discuss what comes next.
Dec 12, 2023•8 min
Rishi Sunak faces the first major test of his premiership today over the second reading of the Rwanda bill. How could the day play out? And what will happen if the Prime Minister loses the vote? Natasha Feroze speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale
Dec 12, 2023•12 min
It was Rishi Sunak's turn at the Covid Inquiry today. The Prime Minister faced questions on Eat Out to Help Out, his relationship with No.10, tiers and PPE procurement. How did the former Chancellor come across? And how has his tone changed because he is now Prime Minister? Natasha Feroze speaks to Fraser Nelson and Kate Andrews.
Dec 11, 2023•14 min
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday's political shows. On Wednesday Robert Jenrick resigned over the government's Rwanda legislation, so the focus this morning was on immigration. Jenrick says Sunak's bill is weak, Michael Gove says it's robust, and Liz Kendall says Labour have a better plan to cut legal immigration. Plus, Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska makes a plea for continued support. Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.
Dec 10, 2023•13 min
Nick Robinson asked Suella Braverman on the Today programme this week whether the Tories had a death wish. She said no. But why is the party, when it's doing so badly in the polls, fighting among itself? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls ands Craig Oliver, former director of communications in No. 10.
Dec 09, 2023•13 min
Rishi Sunak is stuck in a migration quagmire and will be spending the weekend drumming up support from MPs ahead of the vote on his amended Rwanda bill on Tuesday. He will be hoping for a Christmas miracle in the form of support from both One Nation MPs and those on the right of the party. Will Tuesday's vote be a de facto confidence vote in the prime minister? Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale.
Dec 08, 2023•10 min
Kate Andrews speaks to James Heale and Katy Balls about Robert Jenrick's resignation last night and whether this is another sign of Tory party implosion.
Dec 07, 2023•17 min
It was a big day in the Covid inquiry as Boris Johnson gave evidence for the first time. Just as Johnson launched into an apology during his opening statement, protestors off-camera made their presence known. There were also revelations concerning the attention he paid to Sage minutes and Cobra meetings and the former prime minister defended his decision not to lock down sooner. What else did we learn? Was this a turning point in the perception of the inquiry? Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Hea...
Dec 06, 2023•12 min
As James Cleverly meets leaders in Rwanda to sign a new asylum treaty, the government has laid out a series of plans to bring down legal migration. Some Tories on the right would like the measures to go further, but are these policies too little too late? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Spectator writer, Patrick O'Flynn.
Dec 05, 2023•14 min
This weekend Keir Starmer's team took the opportunity to discuss Margaret Thatcher in an op-ed for the Sunday Telegraph . Whilst Starmer also praised other former prime ministers – such as Tony Blair and Clement Attlee – his admission that ‘Margaret Thatcher sought to drag Britain out of its stupor by setting loose our natural entrepreneurialism', has ruffled a few feathers in the Labour party. Could this be a genius piece of politics to reach out to those on the right? Or is it a misfire? Also ...
Dec 04, 2023•11 min
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from today's political shows. Winter means incoming trouble for the NHS. The health secretary blames industrial action for long hospital waiting lists, despite waiting times rising continually since 2010. Meanwhile, Starmer is praising Margaret Thatcher, Ndileka Mandela talks about 'climate apartheid', and the truce ends in Gaza as Mark Regev defends the IDF's actions in the face of rising civilian fatalities. Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill....
Dec 03, 2023•12 min
Former chancellor Alistair Darling passed away this week, aged 70. To discuss his career, life and legacy, Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and Catherine MacLeod, former political editor of the Herald , and later a special adviser to Darling.
Dec 02, 2023•14 min
As Matt Hancock appears before the Covid inquiry for a second day, we take a look at the revelations from the former health secretary, including the allegation that involving the Prime Minister and former prime minister, Boris Johnson. Both are due to be up at the Covid inquiry in the coming weeks. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Heale. Produced by Cindy Yu.
Dec 01, 2023•13 min
Jeremy Hunt said last night that Labour’s economic plans are ‘fundamentally dishonest’. Is he right, and are the Tories really just as bad? Natasha Feroze speaks to Katy Balls and the FT ’s Stephen Bush.
Nov 30, 2023•11 min
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, long thought of as one of Rishi Sunak's closest allies in Parliament, hinted yesterday at a row with the Prime Minister. He had a plan to reduce immigration ready ‘last Christmas’, he said. Why didn’t Sunak take it anywhere? Max Jeffery speaks to Katy Balls and Paul Goodman.
Nov 29, 2023•12 min
An extraordinary row has broken out between the British and Greek governments over the future of the Parthenon Marbles. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was due to meet Rishi Sunak in London today, but No. 10 cancelled the meeting at the last minute over comments that Mitsotakis made on the Laura Kuenssberg show. Is this whole row all part of a high-culture war, to win back the Red Wall? Or has No.10 lost its marbles? Natasha Feroze speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale. Produced by Natasha Fer...
Nov 28, 2023•12 min
