Coffee House Shots Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 25/01/2026
Jan 25, 2026
Ed Davey, Liberal Democrats leader and former cabinet minister, warns about Russian threats and urges higher defence spending. Shabana Mahmood, Labour MP and NEC chair acting as Home Secretary, explains the party’s rule on Andy Burnham and argues policing should focus on crime. They also discuss Trump’s remarks, Chagos debate and a new centre-right movement.
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Party Prioritises Electoral Risk Over Individual Ambition
- Labour blocked Andy Burnham from standing to avoid a costly mayoral by-election and preserve campaign resources ahead of May elections.
- NEC cited risk to Greater Manchester control and potential Reform victory as decisive organisational concerns.
Cold War Framing Raises Pressure For Faster Rearmament
- Ed Davey framed current geopolitics as resembling a Cold War, urging faster defence investment and war bonds.
- He warned US reliability under Donald Trump is uncertain, so Europe must step up defence spending.
Raise Defence Funds Fast With War Bonds
- Increase defence funding quickly and consider issuing war bonds to raise money for urgent capability upgrades.
- Push for a credible plan to reach 3% of GDP defence spending within the decade.