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- Coffee House Shots
136 episodes
Coffee House Shots, page 5
by The Spectator · English
Daily political analysis from The Spectator's top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Tim Shipman, Isabel Hardman, James Heale and many others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Clacton by-election: what you need to know
Look-ahead to Nigel Farage’s Clacton by-election, focusing on the £5 million “gift/donation” controversy, expected vote shares, and wider implications for UK politics; also discusses Andy Burnham’s…
11 Aug 2026 · 14m · 5 chapters
What does Lowe actually want from Farage?
UK politics summer migration debate (small boats/Channel crossings), Labour’s handling of it, and Reform’s law-and-order proposals; plus whether Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe/Restore could reconcile.
10 Aug 2026 · 18m · 11 chapters
'The Tories remain the existential threat to Labour' – interview with Jonathan Ashworth
Jonathan Ashworth, former Labour MP, discusses Andy Burnham’s shift toward devolution (“Morrisonian” local control), the urgency and cost of fixing social care, Labour’s internal momentum, and why…
8 Aug 2026 · 20m · 8 chapters
Can Burnham make the tough calls on pensions & social care?
Whether Labour PM Andy Burnham can fund social care reforms and make “tough calls” on pensions/social care, including speculation about using defined-contribution pension pots or taxing inherited…
7 Aug 2026 · 13m · 4 chapters
Kemi and the Crewkerne debacle
Coffeehouse Shots discusses Kemi Badenoch’s controversial Conservative Party candidate-selection decision involving Joshua Bonehill-Payne, a former neo-Nazi jailed for harassing Labour MP Luciana…
6 Aug 2026 · 15m · 6 chapters
Why Burnham's borrowing bonanza won't work
The episode argues that Andy Burnham’s planned “borrowing bonanza” won’t work.
5 Aug 2026 · 14m · 4 chapters
Burnham buckles on early prisoner release
Andy Burnham’s early prisoner release scheme is being scaled back, with about 1,000 fewer early releases.
4 Aug 2026 · 15m · 5 chapters
Reform's plan to stop the small boats – the Royal Navy
Reform UK’s proposed “Royal Navy” plan to stop small boats, framed as a diplomatic “game of chicken” with France (Macron), plus debate over whether it’s workable versus “detain and deport.” The…
3 Aug 2026 · 18m · 9 chapters
Britain's First Catholic PM? — with Patrick Maguire
The episode discusses whether Andy Burnham could be “Britain’s first Catholic Prime Minister” and how his Catholic background may shape his politics.
31 Jul 2026 · 19m · 6 chapters
Chris Philp: French police 'under orders not to intervene'
Chris Philp, UK Shadow Home Secretary, describes his trip to northern France during the small boats crisis, alleging French police/gendarmes failed to intervene while migrants boarded dinghies, and…
31 Jul 2026 · 20m · 5 chapters
Why Burnham's policy bonanza may be coming to an end
The episode argues that Andy Burnham’s early “policy bonanza” may be ending, as opposition and economic pressures intensify.
30 Jul 2026 · 11m · 5 chapters
Andy's care plan
The episode discusses Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s social care speech and his proposed National Care Service, plus debate over feasibility, funding, and leadership.
29 Jul 2026 · 10m · 4 chapters
Will Burnham find a NEET solution?
Andy Burnham’s proposed “Manchester Baccalaureate” overhaul to tackle the NEET problem (16–24 not in employment, education, or training), plus discussion of Labour’s recent left-leaning government…
28 Jul 2026 · 11m · 4 chapters
Andy's intervention on defence
The episode of Coffeehouse (James Heal and Niall Hoffman) focuses on Andy Burnham’s early interventions as UK PM, especially defence procurement and funding, plus social care reform and Labour’s…
27 Jul 2026 · 23m · 11 chapters
Nick Clegg: my biggest coalition regrets
Nick Clegg reflects on his time in the 2010-15 Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, arguing coalition politics forced daily, formal trade-offs; he gives regrets (especially Libya and probation…
24 Jul 2026 · 29m · 12 chapters
How Reform and the Tories plan to fight Andy Burnham
Reform UK and the Conservatives’ strategy for attacking Labour’s Andy Burnham, amid speculation about an early general election; plus reactions to Burnham’s “Number 10 North” opening and his pause on…
24 Jul 2026 · 14m · 4 chapters
Andy’s promises – who’s paying?
Coffeehouse Shots discusses Labour/Andy Burnham’s cost-of-living and tax measures, focusing on business rates cuts for hospitality, how they’re funded, and whether the autumn budget will contain…
23 Jul 2026 · 14m · 5 chapters
Iain Dale: Standing for Parliament was a 'humiliating experience'
Ian Dale discusses his memoir Have I Said Too Much?, his failed bid for Tory selection and later humiliation in North Norfolk, and his broader political/media career.
22 Jul 2026 · 25m · 12 chapters
Burnham's northern queens
A political discussion of Andy Burnham’s post-reshuffle cabinet and early policy signals, framed as “northern queens,” plus reactions to a VAT cut on energy bills and the reshuffle’s internal Labour…
21 Jul 2026 · 14m · 6 chapters
Burnham, Healey, Miliband & Mahmood become the big four
Coffeehouse Shots discusses Andy Burnham’s newly announced Labour cabinet reshuffle, framed as a “purge” of Starmer loyalists and the creation of a “big four” leadership team.
20 Jul 2026 · 10m · 4 chapters
Labour's new cabinet – who's in & who's out?
The episode covers Labour’s new cabinet reshuffle after Keir Starmer’s departure from No.10 and Andrew Burnham’s arrival as the UK’s 59th prime minister.
20 Jul 2026 · 22m · 7 chapters
Why MPs must be whipped | Simon Hart
Simon Hart, former UK government chief whip (Nov 2022–Jul 2024), argues that Labour’s proposed “HR-style” whipping by Andy Burnham is naive.
17 Jul 2026 · 18m · 5 chapters
Happy Coronation Day!
The episode mixes a tech ad for Google Workspace with Gemini and political analysis of Andy Burnham’s first Labour leader speech after his coronation as Labour leader (Labour Party conference today;…
17 Jul 2026 · 14m · 6 chapters
Reeves out, Shabana in?
A discussion of Rachel Reeves’s time as UK Chancellor and speculation about who will replace her, focusing on economic credibility, Treasury influence, and Labour’s internal politics.
16 Jul 2026 · 15m · 5 chapters