Coffee House Shots

Lord Alli, a Labour donor embroiled in a cash for access scandal, has reportedly spent nearly £20,000 on clothing and accessories for Keir Starmer and his wife. David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, defends the Prime Minister amidst growing scrutiny. The discussion dives into the ethics of political donations and the impact on public perception. Starmer's meeting with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni also highlights urgent border security challenges, seeking solutions to organized crime and asylum policies. The unique pressures of fashion choices for political spouses add another layer to the conversation.

David Lammy, a leading Labour politician, James Cleverly, the Conservative Foreign Secretary, and Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, engage in a spirited debate. Cleverly emphasizes support for Ukraine but sidesteps long-range missile queries. Tension rises as Lammy and Cleverly clash over the potential rule-breaking of Keir Starmer. Ed Davey stands firm on the Liberal Democrats' role in holding the government accountable, highlighting the importance of political integrity amid rising international tensions.

Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister and Chancellor, made a surprise visit to the Treasury, his first since leaving office 14 years ago. He caught up with current Chancellor Rachel Reeves, discussing significant issues like the winter fuel allowance. The conversation also touched on the influence of past leaders, particularly Tony Blair, on today's Labour dynamics. Broadcasted insights raise questions on whether current leaders should heed the advice of previous ones while navigating the complexities of leadership in contemporary politics.

Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, and David Lammy, Shadow Foreign Secretary, delve into crucial foreign policy discussions in Washington with Joe Biden. They tackle the implications of possibly deploying UK long-range missiles in Ukraine, wary of escalating tensions with Putin. The conversation also shifts to the UK’s diverging stance on arms exports to Israel, raising questions about shifting alliances. Journalist James Heale adds insights on Europe’s defense landscape, highlighting the challenges facing the Labour Party in this evolving geopolitical context.

The Prime Minister has described the NHS as in 'critical condition' in a speech this morning after the release of Lord Darzi's damning independent report.Lord Darzi had only nine weeks to conduct his investigation into –and assessment of – the National Health Service. But this truncated timeline does not appear to have led to any watering down of his verdict. The independent peer has delivered a damning diagnosis of the state of the NHS, which is described as failing both its staff and its patients. The NHS clearly needs serious intervention, but are Labour the ones to do it? James Heale speaks to Kate Andrews and Isabel Hardman, author of Fighting for Life: The Twelve Battles that Made Our NHS, and the Struggle for Its Future. 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.

Last night saw the first Trump vs Harris debate and the consensus seems to be that Harris came out on top. She managed to avoid sticky issues about her political past and goaded Trump into some rambling and – at times – outrageous remarks. What did we learn? Also today, we have had new figures on the economy with GDP flatlining for the second month in a row. Does this vindicate Rachel Reeves' tough decision on the winter fuel allowance? Katy Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and John McTernan. 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.

It's been a busy day in Westminster today. Labour avoided a large scale rebellion on the winter fuel allowance and Mel Stride was eliminated from the Tory leadership race – not to mention the sale of a certain weekly politics magazine. Oscar Edmondson discusses with Katy Balls and James Heale. 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.

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.