Episodes

  • Coffee House Shots live: the struggle for the future of conservatism

    Coffee House Shots live: the struggle for the future of conservatism
    Oct 1 2024
    The mood at Conservative conference has been surprisingly jubilant considering the turmoil that the party finds itself in. Labour's misfortunes may have contributed to this, but there seems to be a genuine optimism around the four candidates vying for the leadership of the party. What's the latest? Have Kemi Badenoch's comments on maternity pay impacted her position with the members?

    Also on the podcast, this evening will see the Vance vs Walz vice presidential debate. They go head to head in an increasingly tight election. What does Trump vs Harris say about the state of American politics? And can any of these candidates – on either side of the pond – expect to be fighting future elections for their parties?

    The Spectator's Fraser Nelson speaks to Katy Balls, Kate Andrews and Sarah Elliott from Republicans Overseas UK.
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • Have the Tory leadership candidates got a Truss problem?

    Have the Tory leadership candidates got a Truss problem?
    Sep 30 2024
    Jeremy Hunt is one of the few Tories at Conservative Party Conference willing to take the fight to Labour. In the second day, he sat down for an on-stage interview where the former Chancellor spoke about the winter fuel allowance, freebies, but also made some polite suggestions about where the Conservative party should go, and dropped a few hints about the former Prime Minister, Liz Truss. Natasha Feroze speaks to Kate Andrews and Isabel Hardman about Hunt's speech and some of the best bits from Liz Truss's own interview at conference.
    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 29/09/2024

    Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 29/09/2024
    Sep 29 2024
    Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows.

    Tory leadership candidates set out their visions for the party at the Conservative Party Conference. Badenoch says ‘not call cultures are equally valid’, and congratulates Netanyahu. Jenrick suggests immigration doesn’t make the country richer, and defends a £75,000 donation from a mysterious company. Rosie Duffield resigns from Labour, attacking Starmer on the way out. And Pat McFadden defends the prime minister, saying there is no equivalence between Labour controversy and the behaviour of the Tory government.

    Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.
    Show more Show less
    16 mins
  • Did Kemi Badenoch really call maternity pay ‘excessive’?

    Did Kemi Badenoch really call maternity pay ‘excessive’?
    Sep 29 2024
    The final four leadership candidates have arrived at Conservative Party Conference to make their final pitches. However, day one and Kemi Badenoch has found herself in an online row over comments made about maternity pay. Katy Balls, Kate Andrews and Fraser Nelson take a look at what was really said, and whether there is a clear frontrunner to lead the Tory party at conference.
    Show more Show less
    15 mins
  • Is Labour's 2030 clean power target achievable? Live at Labour conference

    Is Labour's 2030 clean power target achievable? Live at Labour conference
    Sep 28 2024
    Decarbonising power by 2030 is one of the flagship policies for Keir Starmer’s government. Whether this is achievable and how we go about the green transition will impact ten of thousands of jobs and everybody's energy bills.

    So just how do they plan on reaching this ambitious target? Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB, argues that there is a fundamental dishonesty about the route to net zero, with communities being hollowed out and the working class left behind. All of this has resulted in fertile ground for the far right.

    The Spectator's editor Fraser Nelson sat down with Gary Smith at Labour conference last week, to give an alternative take on the net zero debate.
    Show more Show less
    30 mins
  • Inside Starmer's dinner with Donald Trump

    Inside Starmer's dinner with Donald Trump
    Sep 27 2024
    The political equivalent of the Rumble in the Jungle happened last night when Starmer sat down for a two-hour dinner with Donald Trump, following the Prime Minister’s speech at the UN General Assembly. Details of what Trump and Starmer talked about are scant: the official read-out merely says they discussed the ‘longstanding friendship’ between Britain and America. Is this good politics from the prime minister?

    Elsewhere, the Tory party conference kicks off in Birmingham this weekend and with it the beauty contest for the next Conservative leader. What should listeners expect?

    Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Kate Andrews.

    Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
    Show more Show less
    16 mins
  • Are we on the brink of ‘all out war’ in the Middle East?

    Are we on the brink of ‘all out war’ in the Middle East?
    Sep 26 2024
    Events have moved on fast since Labour conference with the mounting prospect of ‘all out war’ in the Middle East. This comes after reports that Israel are preparing a ground invasion of Lebanon to push back Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. What levers are at the disposal of the international community to de-escalate this very volatile situation?

    Also today, Keir Starmer’s impressive performance on the international stage risks being undermined by the freebies story which continues to rumble on. What’s the latest?

    Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Michael Stephens, senior fellow at RUSI.

    Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
    Show more Show less
    12 mins
  • Michael Gove is the new editor of The Spectator

    Michael Gove is the new editor of The Spectator
    Sep 25 2024
    We've had quite the day at 22 Old Queen Street. All Westminster politics seem small in comparison to the news that Fraser Nelson will step down as editor of this publication, with Michael Gove taking charge on October 8th. Hear Fraser's thoughts on what this new chapter will mean for The Spectator, on the podcast.

    Elsewhere, Labour conference has wrapped up in Liverpool and this has coincided with an update on growth from the OECD. Having predicted in May that the economy would grow by 0.4 per cent this year, the policy organisation now expects the economy to grow by 1.1 per cent. This lifts the UK from the bottom of the pack of advanced economies and ties it in second place – alongside France and Canada – for the fastest growth in the G7. Britain is growing. Can Rachel Reeves start spending?

    Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and Kate Andrews.

    Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

    And if you would like to submit a topic for Kate and Fraser to debate, please email: podcast@spectator.co.uk
    Show more Show less
    13 mins