Coffee House Shots

Keir Starmer said this morning that communities would 'take back control' under a Labour government. In a speech delivered just down the road from where Rishi Sunak spoke yesterday, the Labour leader promised to expand devolution. Is his vision radical enough?Max Jeffery speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Heale. 

Rishi Sunak made five pledges to fix Britain in a speech in London today. Inflation will halve, the economy will grow, debt will fall, NHS waiting lists will be cut, and the government will pass laws to tackle the small boats crisis. Is the PM promising too much, or not enough?Max Jeffery speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Heale.

Millions of Britons will forever shun trains because of the ongoing strikes, a government sources told the Times today. Are the strikes proving as effective as unions hoped? James Heale speaks to Fraser Nelson and Isabel Hardman.Produced by Max Jeffery.

This year in politics has ended with a row over nurses pay. Will the government be able to resolve the dispute in the New Year? Meanwhile, in Scotland, a new law about gender identification has caused a standoff between Westminster and Holyrood. Who will blink first? And finally, has Christmas come early for the Prime Minister? Cindy Yu speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.

On this special podcast, Cindy Yu speaks to Svitlana Morenets, author of The Spectator's Ukraine in Focus newsletter.Whilst Zelensky's visit to the US yesterday was his first trip outside Ukraine since the start of the invasion, Svitlana has recently arrived home for the first time since the war began to spend Christmas with her family. They discuss whether Zelensky struck the right tone, how decisive US Patriot missiles could be and why this Christmas in Ukraine will be different. Produced by Cindy Yu and Oscar Edmondson.  

Today tens of thousands of ambulance workers are on strike over a pay dispute. The government is calling on people to stay safe, avoid doing anything dangerous and only call 999 if essential. With patient safety at risk, where is public opinion?Also on the podcast, after the high court ruled the government's controversial Rwanda policy to be legal, is the judgement a complete win for the government? Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale. Produced by Cindy Yu and Oscar Edmondson.

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday morning's political shows. The final guests highlighted from 2022 are Oliver Dowden, Yvette Cooper, Justin Welby and Victoria Newton. 

Katy Balls, Isabel Hardman and James Heale review the political maelstrom that was 2022, a year with more Prime Ministers than some decades have managed. 

The nurses' strike is well underway and there seems to be no sign of an agreement over pay any time soon. The government seems to be receiving fiercer criticism from within the Conservative party than from across the aisle, as former Conservative party chairman (and Truss and Johnson ally) Jake Berry turns into the rebel-in-chief. What's he up to? James Heale talks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman.Produced by Natasha Feroze and Cindy Yu.

Nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are on strike today in search of a 19 per cent pay rise. Chief Nursing Officer Dame Ruth May appeared outside St Thomas's hospital to show her solidarity with those striking. What is the significance of this?Also on the podcast, after a further three episodes of Harry and Meghan's new Netflix documentary were released, can either side end up the winner in the war of the Windsors? Max Jeffery speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Heale. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

Keir Starmer put in a weak performance in today's Prime Minister's Questions, Isabel Hardman says on today's podcast. Is Labour's fence sitting and vagueness on the strikes starting to hurt them? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman.

Rishi Sunak today revealed a plan he says will tackle illegal immigration. 'Enough is enough', he said. The asylum backlog of 150,000 will be cleared by the end of next year, and the government will do a deal with Albania to return people from the country. Will it work?Max Jeffery speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.

Rishi Sunak has now served as prime minister longer than his predecessor Liz Truss, but that doesn't mean that it's all plane sailing. Former Home Secretary Priti Patel has backed a campaign to 'restore democracy' in the Conservative party. Should the government be worried? Also on the podcast, as Rishi prepares to set out his agenda, is there a narrow path to conservative re-election? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Katy Balls presents the highlights from Sunday morning's politics shows. Featured on today's podcast are Sir Stephen Powis, James Cleverly, Wes Streeting and Dr Emma Runswick. 

James Heale asks Katy Balls and Stephen Bush about whether Labour can maintain the public's confidence on tax and spending decisions now that the mini budget is fading from memory. 

James Heale speaks to Kate Andrews and Katy Balls about Jeremy Hunt's latest proposals to reform the banking system. Will the 'Edinburgh Reforms' kickstart the much-needed growth in Britain's economy? And is this the Brexit future Rishi Sunak always wanted?Produced by Natasha Feroze.

A number of measures are under discussion as Christmas looks like it will be dominated by strike action. What measures will the government put in place to limit the disruption?Also on the podcast, after the first episodes of Netflix's new series Harry and Meghan were released, could the documentary be bad for Global Britain? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth. Produced by Natasha Feroze. 

Shots were fired at PMQs today as Keir Starmer referred to Rishi Sunak as a 'blancmange Prime Minister'. The line came after Rishi Sunak conceded on the Tory rebellion over mandatory housing targets. Katy James and Fraser mull over this attack. Also on the podcast, with Stephen Fry elected as the SNP's new Westminster leader, what could this mean for Sturgeon?Produced by Natasha Feroze.

The government has backed down in the face of the planning rebellion, watering down their targets for housebuilding. At the same time, another revolt is brewing over permissions to build onshore wind. Is Rishi Sunak facing a more unruly Tory coalition than his predecessors, and does he have a grip on the party? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson.Produced by Cindy Yu.

Today former prime minister Gordon Brown has released a review which includes recommendations to overhaul the constitution and replace the House of Lords. Could Labour push through reform?Also on the podcast, after Kier Starmer said that he doesn't see Jeremy Corbyn standing at the next election, has Starmer finally silenced the far left faction in his party? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.