Episodes

  • Louise Haigh’s resignation raises questions for Keir Starmer

    Louise Haigh’s resignation raises questions for Keir Starmer
    Nov 29 2024
    In the small hours of this morning Louise Haigh resigned as Transport Secretary following the revelation that she had pleaded guilty to a criminal offence in 2014. Haigh admitted fraud by false representation at a magistrates’ court after she incorrectly told the police that a work mobile had been stolen in 2013. She was then convicted and received a conditional discharge. The incident occurred six months before she became an MP.

    Haigh had been in hot water just a month ago after her comments nearly cost the government a one billion-pound investment deal with P&O. Is her resignation a little too convenient for the Prime Minister?

    James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman.

    Produced by Cindy Yu and Oscar Edmondson.
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    11 mins
  • Starmer attacks 'open border' Tories, plus Andrea Jenkyns defects

    Starmer attacks 'open border' Tories, plus Andrea Jenkyns defects
    Nov 28 2024
    It's been a day of press conferences in Westminster. First to Reform UK, where Nigel Farage unveiled their newest MP: Dame Andrea Jenkyns, who has served as a Conservative MP since 2015. Could there be more defections on the horizon?

    Next to Keir Starmer who reacted to the newly published migration figures from the ONS. Net migration for the 12 months to June 2024 stands at 728,000. But the real story was the revised 2023 figures, which showed net migration exceeding 900,000. The politics from the press conference were solid - but what about policy announcements?

    Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Michael Simmons, and they also look ahead to tomorrow's unpredictable assisted dying vote.

    Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.
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    15 mins
  • Boris Johnson on Covid failures, the Nanny State & his advice for ‘Snoozefest’ Starmer

    Boris Johnson on Covid failures, the Nanny State & his advice for ‘Snoozefest’ Starmer
    Nov 28 2024
    Former prime minister Boris Johnson joins The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls to divulge the contents of his new book, Unleashed. He reflects on his premiership as PM during the pandemic, describing the time as a ‘nightmare’ for him. He also details how he managed to suppress the force of Nigel Farage, and gives advice to Keir Starmer on how to build a relationship with Donald Trump.

    Watch the full interview on The Spectator's YouTube channel.
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    36 mins
  • Kemi’s first policy proclamation

    Kemi’s first policy proclamation
    Nov 27 2024
    Kemi Badenoch has signalled that she could change her position on the ECHR. At a conference today, she said "we will review every policy, treaty and part of our legal framework - including the ECHR and the Human Rights Act." What could this mean for the Conservatives going forward?

    Katy Balls discusses with Michael Gove and James Heale.
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    11 mins
  • Can Keir Starmer get Britain back to work?

    Can Keir Starmer get Britain back to work?
    Nov 26 2024
    The government have announced their latest effort to get Britons back into work. A series of benefit changes intend to tackle the fact that Britain is the only major economy where the employment rate has fallen over the past five years, largely because more people are out of work due to long-term ill health. Why are the UK's post-pandemic figures so much worse than other countries? And can Labour's plans work? The Spectator's data editor Michael Simmons joins Katy Balls and James Heale.
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    9 mins
  • Should Starmer be worried about this petition?

    Should Starmer be worried about this petition?
    Nov 25 2024
    Today is the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference, at which Rachel Reeves has laid out her plan to 'Get Britain Working' and prove Labour as the party of business ... despite what the recent Budget and the employers national insurance increase might suggest. What's the mood of big business today?

    Also on the podcast, a petition has gone viral over the weekend calling for a general election. Various people have signed it, from Nigel Farage to Michael Caine. But should Labour actually be worried?

    Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman.

    Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
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    13 mins
  • Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 24/11/24

    Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 24/11/24
    Nov 24 2024
    Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows.

    The vote on the Assisted Dying Bill is approaching. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall gives her view, and Belgian health minister Frank Vandenbroucke argues that assisted dying doesn’t lead to a ‘slippery slope’. We also hear about the government’s upcoming changes to the welfare system, whether the UK should arrest Netanyahu if he comes to the country, and if there are any limits to France’s support for Ukraine.

    Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.

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    12 mins