Instant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Katy Balls, Isabel Hardman, James Heale, Cindy Yu and many others.
There is a row on the horizon over welfare cuts. Yesterday’s meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) was packed, with many lobby journalists expecting fireworks. The Prime Minister got a positive reaction for his message on Ukraine, with MPs impressed by his strong response since Trump took office, but there was some scepticism in the room about his plan to make £6 billion in welfare cuts.
This is a difficult topic that cuts to the heart of the Labour Party and its position as the party of welfare – about 80 Labour MPs are said to oppose the government’s proposals. Can Keir Starmer weather the storm?
James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and John McTernan, former political adviser to Tony Blair.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
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14:49
Have Reform blown it?
Loyal listeners will remember that just three months ago we released a podcast asking: Is 2025 Farage’s year? The answer was ‘yes’, provided Reform UK can keep their five MPs in line...
As predicted – and despite all the talk of professionalisation – Nigel Farage’s latest political outfit is following the pattern of the parties that came before: infighting. On Friday night, the Reform party stripped Rupert Lowe of the whip after referring him to the police. Lowe stands accused of workplace bullying and threatening behaviour towards party chair Zia Yusuf. These are allegations that he strongly denies, calling the whole affair a ‘witch hunt’. How long has there been tension between Lowe and the party leadership? Can Reform recover from losing 20 per cent of their presence in the Commons?
James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Gawain Towler, former head of communications for Reform.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Megan McElroy.
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17:37
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 09/03/2025
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.
Pat McFadden addresses Starmer's 'coalition of the willing', and incoming reforms at Whitehall, somewhat elusively. Richard Tice defends the timing of Reform MP Rupert Lowe's suspension, and Chris Philp speaks about the Tories' suggestion to ignore the Human Rights Act when judges make decisions on immigration. Meanwhile, the Latvian President argues that other European nations should be considering conscription.
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13:03
Who would be a Conservative? – Kate Andrews vs Michael Gove
It’s a special (and emotional) edition of Coffee House Shots this Saturday because it is the last with Kate Andrews on this side of the Atlantic. She joins our editor Michael Gove and political correspondent James Heale for a debate on ideology. Kate – a liberal, in the classical British sense – explains exactly why she is not a Conservative and the various tenets that distinguish liberalism from conservatism, whilst Michael makes the case for being a 'pessimistic' conservative.
So, what makes a liberal? What makes a conservative? And was Hayek right in saying that while there isn’t much to choose between these two political creeds, ultimately, they need each other.
Produced by Cindy Yu and Oscar Edmondson.
Kate Andrews' suggested reading on liberalism:
F. A. Hayek: The Road to Serfdom
Adam Smith: The Wealth of Nations
Deirdre McCloskey: Why Liberalism Works
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How long will Starmer’s ‘war bounce’ last?
Trump has been stealing the headlines when it comes to Ukraine this week, but Europe – and whether it can stay united in the face of the US pulling its support – remains an important subplot. At a summit yesterday, 27 countries backed the plan to increase spending on defence, but when will the cracks start to show?
Thankfully, it seems that the Prime Minister is good in a crisis. Back at home, he has seen a modest bounce in popularity and he is making a good impression in Brussels, coming across as assured without grandstanding. He has also been leading on defence spending – could defence be the way in for Starmer to renegotiate a new position within the EU? Is Starmer having a good crisis?
Katy Balls speaks to James Heale and Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Instant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Katy Balls, Isabel Hardman, James Heale, Cindy Yu and many others.
Ireland