Coffee House Shots

Rishi Sunak can breathe a (small) sigh of relief. Ben Houchen, the so-called ‘patron saint of the red wall’, has won a third term as Tees Valley mayor. Houchen secured 53.6 per cent of the vote with Labour in second place with 41.3 per cent, despite some polls in advance suggesting it was neck-and-neck between the Tories and Labour. The Conservatives have undeniably had one of their worst nights for a generation, but are there some silver linings? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Natasha Feroze and Oscar Edmondson. 

It's looking like the worst night for the Conservatives in 40 years. The prediction – that the Tories will lose about half of the council seats they are defending – looks on track so far. Labour comfortably won the Blackpool South by-election with a 26 per cent swing and it has also taken several key councils, including Rushmoor which has been Tory-run for the last 24 years. A Gaza backlash has seen Labour lose Oldham while the Conservatives have suffered a string of council losses, coming within 120 votes being beaten by Reform in Blackpool.Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

Tomorrow, voters go to the polls for the last set of local elections in this parliament, alongside 11 mayoral elections in England, 37 police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales plus the London Assembly elections. Could Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, help turn Rishi Sunak's fortunes around?You can read James Heale's assessment of the key battlegrounds here. Also on the podcast, a look at rumours that Labour are in talks to water down their employment policies. Lucy Dunn speaks to James Heale and John McTernan, former adviser to Tony Blair. 

As figures now show there are 2.8 million people claiming out-of-work benefits, Rishi Sunak gave a speech looking at welfare reform. But with more and more people off work for mental health related issues, could the Tories’ focus backfire if the public think they’re trivialising mental health? Also on the podcast, a look ahead to the mayoral elections. James Heale discusses with Isabel Hardman and Luke Tryl, UK Director at More in Common.  Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has just announced his intention to resign. Lucy Dunn speaks to Katy Balls and Spectator contributor Iain Macwhirter about how the past few weeks have led to this point and what to expect from an SNP leadership contest.

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.The prime minister is in a frustrated mood as he bats away questions about the general election. Dan Poulter has defected to Labour, and Wes Streeting says more disaffected Tories are welcome. Humza Yousaf is walking a tightrope as he faces two votes of no-confidence. And Streeting defends Labour's decision to keep the pensions triple lock.Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill. 

It was St George's Day this week, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he has 'no time' for those who 'flinch' at the St George's flag. But how authentic is his patriotism? Katy Balls speaks to Tom Baldwin, former Labour Party adviser and author of new book England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country – and How to Set Them Straight.Produced by Megan McElroy. 

Humza Yousaf faces the biggest crisis of his leadership to date – with his fate in the hands of former SNP leadership rival Ash Regan. Will Humza step down before he is pushed? Or is there a narrow gap through which the First Minister can fight on?Lucy Dunn speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls. 

After two and a half years in government together, Humza Yousaf has terminated the SNP’s governing pact with the Scottish Greens. The decision was rubber stamped at a hastily arranged meeting of the Scottish cabinet on Thursday morning. It preempts a vote by rank-and-file Green members on whether to walk away from Yousaf’s government after he ditched a key climate target.In response, The Scottish Conservatives have tabled a vote of no confidence vote. And the Yousaf might very well lose it, now the Greens are out of the government. What will this mean for the first minister?Katy Balls speaks to Lucy Dunn, Iain Macwhirter and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

With Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer away, Oliver Dowden and Angela Rayner stepped in for PMQs today. Questions quickly turned to the long running row about Rayner's tax affairs. Did she redeem herself?   Also, the prime minister has announced further UK military spending, confirming it will rise to 2.5% of national income by 2030. Does the move cause problems for Keir Starmer? Katy Balls speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Megan McElroy.

After eight hours of debate on the Rwanda Bill, peers finally threw in the towel shortly after midnight. And with that, the Rwanda Bill became law, pending Royal Assent from the King. The two chambers have been engaged in a mammoth game of ping-pong for the past week, culminating in yesterday’s showdown on two final amendments. What comes next? Kate Andrews speaks to James Heale and Katy Balls. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

This morning Rishi Sunak delivered a press conference making the case that the Rwanda Bill should become law today – and the government is ready for when it does. James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about what could be an all-night parliamentary showdown on the Rwanda vote, and whether an early summer election is on the cards.Produced by Natasha Feroze. 

It's been quite the week for the SNP. Questions remain over the future of the Sandyford gender clinic, 'the tartan Tavistock'; the Scottish government ditched its flagship climate change target; and former party chief executive, and husband of Nicola Sturgeon, Peter Murrell was rearrested on embezzlement charges. What does this all mean for the SNP? Lucy Dunn speaks to Iain Macwhirter, columnist at The Times, and Shona Craven, columnist at The National.Produced by Natasha Feroze and Patrick Gibbons

Rishi Sunak has returned to one of his pet bugbears: getting the unemployed back into work. His speech to the Centre for Social Justice this morning was peppered with his favourite facts about the post-pandemic welfare crisis embroiling Britain. Lucy Dunn speaks to James Heale and Michael Simmons. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

Sunak's top team is considering another ban: smartphones for teens. A consultation is due to begin this month that will question whether children need a smartphone, and if social media should require age verification. Could the debate bring the party together? Also, there's another suspension in Westminster. Mark Menzies has been suspended after claims he made a late night call to ask for money to pay off 'bad people'. He strongly disputes the claims. Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale. Produced by Megan McElroy. 

The day after her book was published, Rishi Sunak faced down questions from Keir Starmer and Labour members at PMQs about Liz Truss. While he had his replies at the ready, the questions underscored the main issue for Sunak: how should he deal with his predecessor? Also on the podcast, there is more inflation news for the Government, and how will Starmer deal with internal party discipline?James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

It’s not just Britain that has a growth problem. Today’s release of the IMF’s April 2024 World Economic Outlook report argues that the global economy is following the lacklustre trend. Within this bleak picture, how does the UK look compared to its counterparts?Also on the podcast, MPs are set to vote this evening on the government's generational smoking ban. Is Rishi Sunak a 'finger wagging control freak' as Liz Truss claims? How many could rebel? James Heale speaks Katy Balls and Kate Andrews. Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson. 

It's 18 months since Liz Truss left Downing Street and her new memoir, Ten Years to Save the West, is out. She gave her first interview to Fraser Nelson on Spectator TV, covering why she wants to abolish the Supreme Court, Donald Trump, her husband's warning that her leadership bid would end in tears, and so much more.  You can listen to the full interview on Spectator TV – don't forget to subscribe:https://youtu.be/fPwqsrI0L8Y?si=pguuktDZ5UB7zFCDWe also cover Iran's missile attack on Israel, and what might come next. James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Megan McElroy. 

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows.After Iran’s first direct attack on Israel, conflict in the Middle East has reached a dangerous new phase. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins confirms British military planes are in action in the region. Yvette Cooper says the focus must be on de-escalation. Green co-leader Carla Denyer says the Israeli strike against an Iranian consulate in Damascus broke international law, but Israeli government spokesperson Avi Hyman claims that the consulate was actually being used by Iranian military. And Atkins defends her party’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will ban smoking for anyone born after 2009 if it goes through this week.Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill. 

On this special Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots we discuss Patrick Maguire's scoop this week about former Labour leader Harold Wilson's secret affair with his deputy press secretary. Where does this rank in the history of parliamentary affairs? And – on a more serious note – are there any lessons that Keir Starmer can learn from Harold Wilson? Katy Balls speaks to Patrick Maguire and James Heale.