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PODCAST

Coffee House Shots

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.

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All Episodes

13:34

Will Labour lose Wales?

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/04/11

With one month to go until the local and regional elections, Megan McElroy and James Heale have hit the road with Luke Tryl and Louis O'Geran of More in Common. They report back from the focus groups they've been running in Wales, where voters view Labour through the prism of a double incumbency, as they hold both the Senedd and Westminster. Starmer faces an uphill battle to avoid an historic loss – so is he about to lose Wales?Produced by Megan McElroy and Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator

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14:59

Left turn: who should Reform target?

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/04/10

Gawain Towler, Reform UK board member and their former director of communications, sits down with James Heale to talk about Reform's appeal ahead of the local elections. Gawain argues that Reform needs to broaden its appeal as it won't find the votes to win to its right, but points to their anti-establishment, nationalist and pro-business credentials. While acknowledging that some of the negative stories about a minority of Reform councillors is uncomfortable, he argues that the scrutiny that comes

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15:46

The 'Anglo-Gaullism' debate | Ben Judah

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/04/09

In the magazine this week, Ben Judah – former adviser in the Foreign Office – makes the case for ‘Anglo-Gaullism’. He says that Britain should learn the lessons of France’s Charles de Gaulle when carving out its place in the world, especially given the increasingly erratic nature of the US and the fragmentation of politics at home.In practice, Ben suggests that this would involve an Australian-style ranked-choice voting, injecting Whitehall with experts (in tech and AI), taking on the welfare system

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11:52

Antonia Romeo takes on the civil service

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/04/08

The new cabinet secretary, Antonia Romeo, has published a list of objectives setting out her vision for what the civil service will look like under her. Many have interpreted it as her tightening control over government ... especially since Darren Jones stepped back from his Downing Street role. The path is clear for her to become the Prime Minister’s ‘principal policy adviser’, and to reform the civil service ‘so that it is recognisable for excellence in delivery, innovation and improved

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12:40

Iran deadline: is it too late for Trump to back down?

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/04/07

We are hours away from Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the strait of Hormuz. The President has ‘chickened out’ many times before and offered an extension of some kind, but the threats and posturing ahead of this deadline make it difficult for either side to back down. Will Trump really ‘end Iranian civilisation’ tonight?James Heale speaks to Michael Stephens.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree

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30:37

Hero voters: who should Labour target? with Chris...

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/04/06

Labour won the 2024 general election in part by focusing on ‘hero voters’ – so called because they may have voted Labour in the past but felt the party had abandoned them. Now they risk losing them again – so how does Labour maintain their support?Chris Curtis, Labour MP for Milton Keynes North and former pollster, and Deborah Mattinson, Labour peer and polling guru, join Tim Shipman to talk about how to appeal to this set of voters. Research suggests that voters from this group that are socially

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28:22

Why is Starmer so unpopular? with Lewis Goodall

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/04/04

Opinion polls consistently show Keir Starmer as one of the most unpopular Prime Ministers in history. His critics point to inertia and a lack of vision, while his supporters argue that media spin is harming the image of a decent man. Less than two years on from Labour's landslide victory, broadcaster Lewis Goodall joins James Heale to try to answer the question 'where did it all go wrong?' – a subject which Lewis explores in a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary. Lewis explains the factors at play,

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26:56

Conservative radicalism: who should the Tories...

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/04/03

Can the Conservatives win back voters' support through a new kind of 'conservative radicalism'? Jack Rankin, Conservative MP for Windsor, joins James Heale to explain why he believes a focus on aspiration and wealth creation, paired with political courage to combat 'short-termism and stakeholderism', would enhance the Party's appeal and energise its supporter base. Jack argues that Conservative politicians need to be more honest about the country's problems, including with immigration and

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12:58

EU déjà vu: the emergency brake is back!

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/04/02

Charles Grant from the Centre for European Reform and Tim Shipman join James Heale to reflect on the rumours about Britain's latest set of negotiations with the European Union. There are reports that the EU may be willing to accept some form of mechanism, that the UK could use, should Britain ever wish to temporarily halt the number of inbound students. Perhaps we could call such a mechanism an 'emergency brake'. Sound familiar? What does this tell us about the dynamics of the EU, how the UK-EU

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14:27

Will Trump pull the US out of NATO?

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/04/01

Donald Trump has said he is 'strongly considering' pulling the US out of NATO, in comments made to the Telegraph – and it doesn't appear to be an April Fool. This isn't the first time he has rallied against the Alliance so should the UK take him seriously? Plus – what is Keir Starmer's strategy? – as he tries to balance a testing transatlantic relationship with pursuing closer relations with the EU.Patrick Gibbons speaks to Tim Shipman and James Heale.Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator

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10:18

Why is Britain so exposed to rising energy prices?

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/03/31

The IMF has warned Britain is particularly vulnerable to another spike in energy prices, and is more exposed than many of its European neighbours. Why is that the case? And does the government have any real plan to shield households and businesses from the fallout? With the Tories and Reform calling for the government to drill baby drill, why is the government avoiding a pretty obvious solution?James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Michael Simmons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this

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30:14

Where does Labour's centre of gravity lie?

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/03/30

Patrick Maguire, chief political writer at The Times, sits down with Tim Shipman for a reflection on Labour's odd year so far. From potential leadership challengers, like Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner, to cabinet heavyweights, like Yvette Cooper and Ed Miliband – where does power in this Labour government really lie? What does Keir Starmer's interview style and response to the Iran war reveal about him? And what are the implications of the local elections in just over a month – in what could be a

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15:39

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 29/03/2026

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/03/29

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.The Iran conflict has reached its second month. Figures from across the political spectrum debate how best to respond to a leap in energy prices.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.ukHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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59:57

LIVE: Should we defund or defend the BBC? | Michael...

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/03/28

Should we defund – or defend – the BBC?Live from London, theSpectatorhosted a debate on the future of this iconic British institution, compered by associate editor Isabel Hardman. TheSpectator’s chairman – and long-time Beeb-critic – Charles Moore, and theTelegraph’s Allison Pearson went head-to-head with theSpectator’s editor – and former Tory cabinet minister – Michael Gove and the former BBC correspondent – now-podcaster withThe Newsagents– Jon Sopel.Defund: do you agree with Lord Moore that the

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9:33

Energy crisis: are we in 1973 territory?

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/03/27

The panic has set in around the cabinet table about this energy crisis, and fears of history repeating itself. Tim Shipman writes in the magazine about the comparisons being made to 1973 and the Opec oil shock, with the government preparing for oil prices to reach £150 a barrel. What levers are available to the government to ease the economic fallout and 1970s-style inflation? And why is it that the UK is so uniquely impacted by this crisis?Oscar Edmondson speaks to Tim Shipman and Michael

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19:22

The curious case of Morgan McSweeney's missing phone

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/03/26

Questions are being asked about Morgan McSweeney's missing phone, which he reported stolen to police last year. What might seem like a minor case of petty theft actually has serious implications for the investigation into Peter Mandelson's appointment. It also raises questions about Keir Starmer's general approach to government. James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Cleo Watson, former special adviser to Boris Johnson, about the case – and also about how it can hurt public trust in government. Do

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14:26

To drill or not to drill, that is the question

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/03/25

In the final Prime Minister's Questions before Easter recess, Kemi Badenoch pushed Keir Starmer to commit to new oil & gas drilling licences. The Conservatives spot an easy win here – cost of living concerns are rising as America's war with Iran continues. Plus, with a burgeoning welfare bill, the trade-offs are even trickier for Labour to resolve. Who should Labour target? Tim Shipman and Michael Simmons join Patrick Gibbons to discuss. Come for Tim's impression of the Prime Minister, and stay for

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14:25

Should we brace for another financial shock?

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/03/24

Britain’s response to the conflict in Iran is dominating Westminster – but is Keir Starmer really keeping the country out of war? After a tense Liaison Committee appearance exposed divisions over defence spending, pressure is also mounting on the government’s economic strategy. With energy prices rising, mortgage products disappearing and fears of inflation returning, how prepared is Labour for the fallout? James Heale speaks to Isabel Hardman and Michael Simmons.Become a Spectator subscriber today

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22:58

It’s Ed Miliband’s world – and we’re living in it

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/03/23

Three big stories are on the agenda this morning: the war in Iran has dominated over the weekend, with Trump now failing to conceal his feelings towards Keir Starmer; Ed Miliband is also rising in profile, with those close to the cabinet briefing against him and his influence; and, finally, the Liaison Committee will sit later today, giving select committee chairs the opportunity to grill the Prime Minister. Will Keir Starmer manage to escape this week into a quiet recess?Tim Shipman and James Heale

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30:30

On the road with Nigel Farage

Coffee House Shots ·

2026/03/21

This week James Heale and Tim Shipman share a byline to tell the story of Reform since the 2024 election, and where they are going. Nigel Farage reveals he is talking to potential Blue Labour defectors, shifting his leadership style and offering a ‘less is more’ approach on policy. Essex and its resident Tory big beasts – Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Priti Patel – are a major focus. Reform hopes to swallow the Tory vote come the 2029 election – ‘As long as Nigel is ahead of Badenoch,’ an

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