Coffee House Shots

Both major party leaders are hitting the road today and campaigning in Scotland, which will be a major battleground in the coming election. Labour looks comfortably in the lead, but is that number accurate to what's happening on the ground? Cindy Yu and Katy Balls talk to Focaldata's James Kanagasooriam about their latest analysis.Produced by Cindy Yu.

Less than 24 hours after Rishi Sunak's surprise election announcement, we look ahead to the parties' campaigns. What has been the fall out? How have Labour responded to the shock news? And why didn't Rishi have an umbrella?James Heale is joined by Isabel Hardman and former Labour adviser John McTernan to discuss. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

Rishi Sunak has called a general election on July 4. A new parliament will be summoned on 9 July and the state opening will be on 17 July. Is a summer election a wise decision? Katy Balls and James Heale discuss from parliament.Produced by Natasha Feroze.

Westminster is awash with rumours today that the Prime Minister is about to call an election. On this episode, Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about where this speculation is coming from and how seriously to take them.Produced by Cindy Yu.

The IMF has upgraded the 2024 economic forecast for the UK. What does this mean for the government and could more good news follow this week? And, with speeches on tax, benefit crackdowns and tackling anti-semitism, what should we make of all this political activity? Will we see the return of 'the hot lectern guy'?Kate Andrews and James Heale join Katy Balls to discuss.Produced by Patrick Gibbons

The Infected Blood Inquiry has finally concluded after a five-year investigation. This lunchtime, the inquiry’s chair Sir Brian Langstaff said thousands of deaths could have been prevented and the ‘worst ever’ NHS scandal, which saw thousands of Britons between 1970 and 1998 become infected by contaminated blood, could ‘largely, though not entirely, have been avoided’. Will the NHS change after change after this latest scandal? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. 

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.Grant Shapps talks about defence spending and the infected blood scandal. Wes Streeting is asked about Starmer's new pledges. And Piers Morgan denies knowing anything about phone hacking.Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill. 

There have been two recent defections from the Conservatives to Labour. There's lots of chatter in parliament about a potential third defector. In this Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots, Katy Balls and James Heale hear from Gyles Brandreth, former MP and broadcaster. He takes us back to what it was like working in the whips' office in the 1990s, and ask if he thinks there are more defections to come. You can read Gyles' diary in The Spectator here: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-day-keir-starmer-cried-on-me-about-his-childhood/ Produced by Megan McElroy.

Ronald Reagan famously asked voters: 'are you better off than you were four years ago?' At the next election, the Tories face a public thinking over the last fourteen years. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt gave a speech today defending the UK's record tax levels and attacking Labour's economic plans. But who should we trust more on tax?Fraser Nelson and James Heale join Katy Balls to discuss.Produced by Megan McElroy and Patrick Gibbons.

Keir Starmer has unveiled his six election pledges. In a nod to Tony Blair's 1997 election card, the Labour leader has announced key promises to the public should they win the election. How are the commitments being received, and what will the impact of his speech be? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Stephen Bush, Associate Editor at the Financial Times. 

There were no defections today at Prime Minister’s Questions, which probably put Keir Starmer in a slightly stronger position, ironically, given the fuss about Natalie Elphicke crossing the floor last week. The focus was on justice and both the PM and Starmer came up with some new attack lines, but the delivery was – in parts – decidedly lacking. Who came out on top? Cindy Yu speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Heale. Produced by Cindy Yu and Oscar Edmondson. 

Lucy Dunn speaks to Katy Balls and former Blair advisor John McTernan about the one vote that won plans to exclude MPs from parliament arrested on suspicion of serious sexual offence. After Keir Starmer faced criticism for allowing her into the party, could some of her greatest critics now see the perks? Also is Labour about the water down the plans for workers' rights?

Rishi Sunak delivered a pre-election speech this morning setting out the dividing lines at the next election: security with the Tories or risk with Labour. Will it be enough to shift the dial? And is the Natalie Elphicke defection still haunting Keir Starmer? Natasha Feroze speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson. 

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour is another blow to the Tories, but could she prove more trouble than she's worth for Starmer? David Cameron says the UK will continue to provide arms to Israel, but Labour disagrees. And as Russian attacks gather pace in Ukraine, Cameron says Ukraine's allies will prevail if they work together.Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.

John Swinney, newly inaugurated First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the SNP, has been in the job for a week. What have we learnt since he took up the job, and can he turn things around for the party in time for a general election? James Heale speaks to Lucy Dunn and Fergus Mutch, former SNP adviser.Produced by Megan McElroy.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed this morning that the UK confined its technical recession to 2023. The economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the first three months of the year, thanks in large part to stronger-than-expected growth in March, which reached 0.4 per cent. But is the plan really working? Also on the podcast, Keir Starmer gave a speech in Dover this morning on Labour's plans to stop the boats. He also took the opportunity to unveil new Labour MP Natalie Elphicke. Is there any clear blue water between Labour and the Tories when it comes to migration? Oscar Edmondson speaks to Kate Andrews and James Heale. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

This week, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy is stateside, meeting with senior advisors to Donald Trump and hoping to charm them. Meanwhile, David Cameron gives his first set-piece policy speech. Who is the more credible statesman? Cindy Yu talks to James Heale and Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform.Produced by Cindy Yu.

The MP for Dover, Natalie Elphicke, has shocked MPs and pundits across the political spectrum by defecting to the Labour party today. In her resignation letter, she accused the Conservative party for having 'abandoned' the 'centre ground'. But for someone who has vocally criticised Labour in the past, how helpful is Elphicke's defection? Oscar Edmondson talks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman.Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Cindy Yu.

It's the first day back after the local elections. Following Thursday's results, some polling suggests that if the votes were replicated in a general election, there might be a hung parliament. Could this be a reality? The Spectator's James Heale and Katy Balls are joined by Chris Hopkins, Political Research Director at Savanta. Produced by Megan McElroy. 

The local elections results are in, and the Conservatives have lost more than 450 council seats. After a full recount, Labour’s Richard Parker beat Andy Street to become West Midlands mayor, with only around 1500 votes in it. What does his loss mean for Rishi Sunak, and where do the overall results leave him? Katy Balls and James Heale speak to Megan McElroy.Produced by Megan McElroy.