Coffee House Shots

Tomorrow MPs will vote on Rachel Reeves’ decision to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners who aren’t eligible for pension benefits. We spoke on this podcast on Friday about the pressure that Labour is under from all sides on this, but the temperature has increased over the weekend with the trade unions getting involved. What's the latest? Also on the podcast, there have been some allegations of 'dark arts' during the first round of voting in the tory leadership contest, and possible vote sharing. Is there any truth to these rumours? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 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.

Keir Starmer, a key political figure, candidly discusses the necessity for his government to make unpopular decisions to drive change and addresses the international ramifications of the UK's arms export suspension to Israel. Meanwhile, Health Secretary Streeting outlines Labour’s ambitious plans to tackle NHS waiting lists, emphasizing the pressing need for reforms to improve patient care. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of the Conservative leadership race, highlighting the urgent need for party unity to re-engage voters.

Join Fraser Nelson, Katy Balls and Kate Andrews, along with special guest Jonathan Ashworth, for a live edition of Coffee House Shots recorded earlier this week. They dissect the first few weeks of the new Labour government and look ahead to the policies autumn, and the budget, might bring. Having surprisingly lost his seat at the election, how blunt will Ashworth be?The team also answer a range of audience questions, including: how big of a welfare crisis is the government facing? Would – and should – they reform the NHS? And could the challenge Reform UK poses to traditional parties continue to grow? Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Megan McElroy. 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.

Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls join James Heale to look ahead to a crucial week for Labour. On Tuesday, Parliament will hold a binding vote on the changes to winter fuel allowance - how are Labour expected to deal with this? Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls, and husband of the current home secretary Yvette Cooper, has argued that Labour need an 'escape route' from the policy. What can we read from this intervention? And how influenced are the government by the spectres of George Osborne and Liz Truss?Also on the podcast, Fraser talks about both the problems facing Germany, and the surprisingly successful measure that Sweden has introduced, to deal with net migration.Produced by Patrick Gibbons  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.

The first round of the Conservative leadership race has seen Dame Priti Patel eliminated with the fewest votes. Robert Jenrick came out on top but, with a second vote taking place on Tuesday, where could Patel's supporters go? Who could get eliminated next? Will 'Melmentum' build?Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale.Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.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.

Seven years after the tragedy, the inquiry into the Grenfell fire has published its report. What did we learn from it and who bears responsibility? And, with thousands of buildings still believed to contain flammable cladding, what should happen next? With such important lessons to be learnt, why do British inquiries take so long? Also on the podcast, a look at the first PMQs following summer recess and the Tory leadership election.James Heale speaks to Isabel Hardman and Liam Halligan, Telegraph columnist and author of Home Truths.Produced by Patrick Gibbons.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.

The fallout continues from the UK's decision to suspend some arms sale licenses to Israel. Defence Secretary John Healey insists the UK remains a 'staunch ally' of Israel, yet the decision has been criticised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as 'shameful'. What has the domestic reaction been to the government's decision, and who is it designed to please? Patrick Gibbons speaks to Katy Balls and Michael Stephens, associate fellow at RUSI. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.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.

Fraser Nelson, a sharp political journalist, and Katy Balls, a keen political editor, dive into the controversy of scrapping one-word Ofsted classifications by Keir Starmer. They discuss the implications for parents and teachers, weighing accountability against educational quality. The duo also analyzes the launch of Tory leadership campaigns, highlighting Kemi Badenoch's focus on conservative values versus James Cleverly's attention to policy issues. With contrasting images of candidates, they reveal how endorsements could shape the party's future.

Katy Balls, a sharp political journalist, teams up with John McTernan, a former political secretary to Tony Blair, to dissect the ongoing Tory leadership contest. They evaluate which Conservative candidates could pose significant challenges for Keir Starmer, particularly focusing on Kemi Badenoch's skill with identity politics. The duo also discusses the implications of other contenders like James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat, considering how leadership dynamics might reshape Labour's future electoral landscape.

Keir Starmer's biographer Tom Baldwin has revealed that the PM has removed a portrait of Margaret Thatcher from No 10. The portrait was originally commissioned by Gordon Brown. Why has he bothered to get rid of it?Elsewhere, the government has more plans for health, and select committees have some surprising new candidates. Megan McElroy speaks to Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls.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.