NewsDaily NewsPolitics

Coffee House Shots

The Spectator

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Play

Open in

118 episodes
Avg 17 min
English

Episodes 118

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Today · 19 min
Labour’s EU reset is a ‘deeply incoherent mess’
The government is gearing up for another EU reset, but does Burnham know what he wants from Brussels? And has Lisa Nandy's Remembrance Sunday blunder exposed divisions within the Cabinet over closer ties with Europe? Tim Shipman and James Heale discuss the upcoming EU summit, the potential economic benefits of closer alignment and whether Labour is prepared for the political battle ahead. What concessions will Brussels demand? And could Burnham be repeating Theresa May's Brexit mistakes? Plus: Nigel Farage lays a wreath at the Cenotaph for the first time, as Reform UK unveils its new defence spokesman and attempts to show a different side of its leader. Produced by Oscar Edmondson & Abigail Brierley. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
Saturday · 36 min
'We need to get real' – Claire Ainsley on Starmer, Burnham and Labour’s future
Labour has a new leader, but does Andy Burnham have a plan to give voters back control? In this episode of Coffee House Shots, Noa Hoffman speaks to Claire Ainsley, Keir Starmer’s former director of policy, about her new book, Control: How We Lost It and How to Take It Back. They discuss whether Burnham’s government is doing enough to address immigration and welfare, why Ainsley is sceptical about reopening the Brexit debate, and how Britain can get ahead of the AI revolution. Plus: Ainsley reflects on Starmer’s downfall, the challenges facing the new Prime Minister and whether Labour can keep Reform at bay. Produced by Abigail Brierley. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
Friday · 20 min
Why does everyone hate inheritance tax? | Dan Neidle
This episode was originally posted on our Reality Check channel. To watch, head over to our YouTube Inheritance tax is one of Britain's most unpopular taxes – but is it really as unfair as people think? Our Economics Editor Michael Simmons speak to tax expert Dan Neidle about why inheritance tax inspires such hostility, who really ends up paying it, and whether it needs reforming. With the Conservatives proposing to abolish inheritance tax on family homes, Dan explains why the policy could have unintended consequences for the housing market, why the wealthiest can often avoid the tax altogether, and how the current system disproportionately affects the upper middle class. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
Thursday · 18 min
Kim Darroch: ‘Trump was conned by Netanyahu’ over Iran
Donald Trump’s midterm defeat has thrown fresh uncertainty over the future of his presidency – and his foreign policy. On today’s Coffee House Shots, Tim Shipman speaks to Lord Kim Darroch, former British ambassador to Washington, about what happens next. With JD Vance already positioning himself for 2028, could the MAGA movement be starting to fracture? And how much damage has Trump’s approach to Iran done to his standing at home? They also discuss whether Andy Burnham can turn the crisis into an opportunity for Britain, who might succeed Trump in the White House, and why a deal to end the war in Ukraine still looks a long way off. Produced by Abigail Brierley. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
Wednesday · 12 min
Blue tsunami: what does it mean for Britain?
Donald Trump has suffered a generational defeat in the US midterms, with Democrats making sweeping gains across the country. Has the Trump coalition finally fallen apart? And what does the result mean for the future of the Republican Party? James Heale is joined by US Editor Freddy Gray and Political Editor Tim Shipman to discuss the fallout. Is this a vote against Trump rather than an endorsement of the Democrats? And could the result pave the way for a 2028 presidential run by Ron DeSantis or JD Vance? Plus: could Trump's response to the defeat reignite tensions with Iran, and what might that mean for Britain? And in Westminster, who came out on top at PMQs, as Alex Burghart faced Louise Haigh? Produced by Abigail Brierley. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
Tuesday · 14 min
The King schools Burnham | with Robert Tombs
Has King Charles shown Andy Burnham how to handle the row over slavery reparations? Following the Commonwealth summit, historian Robert Tombs joins James Heale to discuss why the King’s carefully worded speech struck the right tone – and whether Burnham’s intervention risks opening the door to billions in compensation claims. They also discuss Britain’s role in abolishing the slave trade, the growing demands for reparations and whether the Commonwealth still has a future. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
November 2 · 15 min
Goodbye to hardline immigration reforms
Shabana Mahmood has unveiled her long-awaited reforms to immigration rules, including on indefinite leave to remain, and with them the partial climbdown briefed over the past few days. Noa Hoffman is joined by Tim Shipman and James Heale to examine what has and has not changed in the new plans. Produced by Henry Lloyd This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
November 2 · 13 min
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 01/11/2026
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. The Budget is here. And the prime minister is open to an apology for slavery. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 31 · 20 min
Can Netanyahu cling on? Inside Israel’s election deadlock
In this Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots, James Heale is joined by Noa Hoffman, who has been reporting on the election from Israel, and former Foreign Office special adviser Ben Judah to unpack the results. They discuss the historic turnout among Arab Israeli voters, the growing influence of ultra-Orthodox parties and why, despite the failures of October 7, Netanyahu continues to command support. Plus: could an unlikely alliance between Jewish and Arab parties reshape Israeli politics? Produced by Abigail Brierley This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 30 · 27 min
The OBR's verdict on Healey
John Healey’s budget on Wednesday contained 98 measures, the most since 2010, and yet the OBR appears to be questioning the extent of his £15 billion in headroom. Tim Shipman speaks to the OBR’s David Miles about a tax take heading for a post-war high, the cuts pencilled in for the end of the parliament, and why, by his reckoning, Britain is 25% poorer than it expected to be in 2008. Produced by Henry Lloyd This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 29 · 29 min
The Spectator's post-Budget briefing
The Spectator’s editor Michael Gove, political editor Tim Shipman, economics editor Michael Simmons, economist and CEO of the Great British Business Council Catherine McBride and Harry Bell, director of financial planning at Raymond James, will give their insights into the autumn Budget, just hours after it is announced. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 28 · 12 min
Healey's 'breathing space' budget – was that it?
Chancellor John Healey has just delivered his first Budget of the Burnham premiership – but has he done enough to turn the economy around? In this special edition of Coffee House Shots, Economics Editor Michael Simmons and Deputy Political Editor James Heale unpack the Budget, from £100 energy payments and downgraded growth forecasts to what this means for Britain’s banks. But is the Chancellor offering households genuine breathing space? And with the markets barely reacting post Budget, has Labour missed its chance to make a bold economic statement? Plus: what does the Budget mean for the prospect of an early election next spring? Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Abigail Brierley. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 27 · 19 min
Kwasi Kwarteng: what could go wrong for Burnham's budget
Former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng joins Tim Shipman and James Heale to discuss the challenges facing the government ahead of tomorrow’s Budget. How close is the relationship between Number 10 and Number 11? And how much influence has Andy Burnham had on the Chancellor’s plans? How are Labour MPs feeling about a Chancellor they see as short on imagination? Plus, how should the Conservatives respond to the Budget – and what does Kwarteng make of Liz Truss’s new book? Produced by Abigail Brierley. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 26 · 15 min
Burnham's first budget – trick or treat?
Budget week is finally here but it's also the week of Hallowe'en so Patrick Gibbons asks James Heale and Michael Simmons: will Burnham's first budget be one of tricks or treats? There have been a drip-feed of announcements over the weekend, from pensions to rough sleeping, so what have we learnt about the Budget on Wednesday – and about Burnhamism more generally? Plus: a sign of hope or the wrong message – we discuss whether John Healey should drink at the despatch box. You can catch the Spectator's livestream events on Wednesday, following the Budget, at spectator.co.uk/tv Produced by Patrick Gibbons. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 25 · 15 min
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 25/10/2026
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. The Budget is fast approaching, and Andy Burnham wants to talk about freedom of movement. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 23 · 31 min
SAS witch hunt: is Britain betraying its own special forces?
Just days after The Sunday Times revealed that five SAS soldiers were sent back into the war zone while under a three-year murder investigation, MPs passed the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which the SAS Regimental Association has threatened to challenge in the High Court. To understand it's implications, Tim Shipman speaks to Richard Williams, former commanding officer of the SAS, about lawfare, the chain of command and what it means for Britain’s standing with Washington. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Henry Lloyd This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 22 · 17 min
EXCL: Andy Haldane turns on Burnham’s Budget plans
Andy Burnham’s first Budget as Prime Minister is approaching – but have higher borrowing costs already made the sums more difficult for the Prime Minister and his Chancellor, John Healey? Former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane joins Michael Simmons to warn that Britain has little room left to borrow more. In this segment from the Reality Check podcast, they discuss what could appear in next week’s Budget, Andy's thoughts about a potential wealth tax and the difficulties faced by the Bank of England. To listen to the full episode, search for Reality Check wherever you get your podcasts, or watch it on The Spectator’s YouTube channel. Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Henry Lloyd. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 22 · 15 min
24 hours with Nigel Farage
On today’s Coffee House Shots, James Heale reports back after spending 24 hours with Reform leader Nigel Farage. It’s a fascinating time to get access to Reform HQ: the party has been rocked by a succession of sting operations, they await the verdict on the £5 million gift from Christopher Harborne, and Farage's favourability ratings are in the doldrums. How is Farage holding up? And does he still have the zeal for campaigning? Also today, Michael Simmons and Tim Shipman have written The Spectator’s definitive guide to next week’s Budget. What should we expect from the Chancellor? Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Michael Simmons. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 21 · 11 min
Drill Andy drill! – Burnham's small victory
A week before the budget, and hours after ministers approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field, Andy Burnham faced off with Kemi Badenoch at Prime Minister’s Questions in what James Heale reckons was the PM’s first win in the Commons since taking office. James and Isabel Hardman join Tim Shipman to dispute the score, pick over what Badenoch missed on welfare and immigration, and work out why John Healey’s budget may be smaller than expected. Produced by Henry Lloyd This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.
October 20 · 12 min
The Tories are back in the conversation
Kemi Badenoch has delivered a major speech on the economy ahead of next week's Budget, calling for welfare cuts to fund higher defence spending. But with some encouraging economic figures, is her attack on Labour landing? Meanwhile, new polling suggests the Conservatives are reclaiming their position as the main opposition to Labour. Badenoch says she wants Reform voters back – but not its MPs. Are the Tories back in the conversation? And could Labour's divisions over immigration offer the Tories another opening? Oscar Edmondson speaks to Michael Simmons and Noa Hoffman. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. This episode is brought to you by Raymond James. Combining deep insights into who you are with our financial expertise, that’s the power of personal. Investment involves risk. raymondjames.uk.com 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.

Showing 1–20 of 118 episodes