Coffee House Shots

About this podcast

Instant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth, Isabel Hardman, Katy Balls and many others.

Coffee House Shots

Episodes

2021
Have we almost achieved herd immunity?
The government's vaccination plan is clearly to achieve herd immunity. So why won't anyone say that? Katy Balls talks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth about the disparity between the strategy and the messaging on the government's current Covid strategy.
April 10, 2021
14 min
Could Cameron's Greensill lobbying damage Rishi Sunak?
The Treasury has released text messages that the Chancellor sent to David Cameron, in response to the latter's repeated lobbying. While Labour is trying to land a blow on Rishi Sunak as a result of this, can they succeed? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Kirkup, Spectator contributor and Director of the Social Markets Foundation.
April 9, 2021
14 min
The complicated background to the Belfast unrest
Last night violence in Belfast escalated - petrol bombs were thrown, a bus was hijacked and children as young as 13 were reportedly getting involved. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about why Northern Ireland is experiencing this renewed wave of violence.
April 8, 2021
15 min
Will AstraZeneca slow down the UK's reopening?
Under-30s should be offered an alternative to the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, the UK's vaccine regulator said this afternoon. What does this mean for the UK's roadmap? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Kate Andrews.
April 7, 2021
12 min
Is Boris being 'honest' on vaccine passports?
The government needs to be 'honest' about vaccine passports, Labour's shadow health minister Jonathan Ashworth said today. Boris Johnson yesterday said the 'certificates' would not be needed for pubs or shops, but a recent paper from the government said venues could scrap social distancing rules if they're used. Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the proposals.
April 6, 2021
12 min
Is the exit roadmap still what it seemed?
The next stage of lockdown easing is going as planned, but some caveats around international travel and vaccine passports are being floated for further down the line. What did the government's announcements today clear up? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews.
April 5, 2021
12 min
Does vaccinated Britain really need mass testing?
Brits will be offered two lateral flow tests a week, it was announced last night. The expansion of testing, the government say, will allow those who haven't been vaccinated to continue life as normal. But will they just become a tool of harassment? Cindy Yu speaks to Fraser Nelson and Kate Andrews.
April 5, 2021
14 min
Does Sadiq Khan deserve a second term?
Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about London's upcoming mayoral election.
April 2, 2021
11 min
Is Starmer really against vaccine passports?
Keir Starmer said that needing a vaccine passport to go to the pub would go against 'British instinct', in an interview today. But is he really against the proposals? Katy Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and James Forsyth.
April 1, 2021
17 min
Does 'BAME' still make sense?
Today's report from the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities has made waves for its rejection of the existence of 'structural racism' in the UK, and recommendation to stop using the label 'BAME' when it comes to describing minority experiences and ethnic relations. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Cindy Yu about what it gets right.
March 31, 2021
16 min
Did police 'act appropriately' at the vigil?
A report on the Met Police's handling of Sarah Everard's vigil has concluded that the force 'acted appropriately'. Was the conclusion a surprise, and has the new Policing Bill given them too much power? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
March 30, 2021
12 min
Will Salmond's new party help independence?
Alex Salmond has been building his new Alba Party over the weekend. Two SNP MPs have defected to the former party leader's side - is he helping further the cause of Scottish independence? Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
March 29, 2021
15 min
Katy Balls' Sunday Roundup - 28/03/21
Katy Balls rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political programmes. Highlights today come from Oliver Dowden, Mark Drakeford, Nick Thomas-Symonds, Nusrat Ghani, KennyMacAskill and Lorna Slater.
March 28, 2021
15 min
Is Britain turning into a 'bio-security state'?
After ruling out vaccine passports for most of this year, the government seems to be moving the goalposts with little discussion. Fraser Nelson writes in his Telegraph column this week that Britain could be moving to a bio-security state - and discusses with James Forsyth and Katy Balls on this episode.
March 27, 2021
30 min
What should the government do about China's sanctions?
China has sanctioned nine Brits and four British entities in retaliation to sanctions imposed by the West earlier this week. What should the government do about this? Katy Balls talks to Cindy Yu and James Forsyth about the next moves.
March 26, 2021
13 min
Will Covid restrictions really end in June?
Today Matt Hancock refused to rule out not bringing the government's Covid emergency powers back for another renewal vote in September, while the Prime Minister has been firefighting his comments from yesterday about pubs and vaccine passports. What kind of normality can we actually expect this summer? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.
March 25, 2021
15 min
Are summer holidays abroad off the table?
What's the point of vaccinating the population, if fear of new strains will prevent a return to normality when it comes to air travel? That's the question the government is facing this week, after comments by Professor Neil Ferguson suggested that foreign travel may still be forbidden this summer. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about what the future holds.
March 24, 2021
14 min
Can Anas Sarwar stop the SNP?
Nicola Sturgeon today survived a confidence vote brought forward by the Scottish Conservatives. Newly elected Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Scots deserved a 'better government' and a 'better opposition'. Could he stop the SNP winning a majority in May's elections? Katy Balls talks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.
March 23, 2021
18 min
How will Boris respond to the EU's vaccine threats?
Overnight the European Commission's rhetoric on vaccine export bans hotted up. In the run up to Thursday's meeting between European leaders to discuss its vaccines options, what will the UK government do? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about Boris's options.
March 22, 2021
10 min
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 21/03/21
Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with clips from Steve Baker, Ben Wallace, Mairead McGuinness, Lisa Nandy and Jonathan Ashworth.
March 21, 2021
13 min

Coffee House Shots

About this podcast

Categories

About this podcast

Categories

Coffee House Shots

Episodes

Have we almost achieved herd immunity?

Could Cameron's Greensill lobbying damage Rishi Sunak?

The complicated background to the Belfast unrest

Will AstraZeneca slow down the UK's reopening?

Is Boris being 'honest' on vaccine passports?

Is the exit roadmap still what it seemed?

Does vaccinated Britain really need mass testing?

Does Sadiq Khan deserve a second term?

Is Starmer really against vaccine passports?

Does 'BAME' still make sense?

Did police 'act appropriately' at the vigil?

Will Salmond's new party help independence?

Katy Balls' Sunday Roundup - 28/03/21

Is Britain turning into a 'bio-security state'?

What should the government do about China's sanctions?

Will Covid restrictions really end in June?

Are summer holidays abroad off the table?

Can Anas Sarwar stop the SNP?

How will Boris respond to the EU's vaccine threats?

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 21/03/21