Coffee House Shots

Discussion of a possible huge rise in UK defence spending and the political forces pushing for higher targets. Debate over competing budget pressures and messy defence procurement problems. Exploration of public attitudes to mobilisation and generational divides. Examination of internal Labour tensions, a probe into a journalist, and the risks to senior figures' standing.

Trevor Phillips, broadcaster and interviewer who presses on policy and legal questions, and Yvette Cooper, senior Labour politician and former Home Secretary, discuss Russia’s responsibility for Navalny’s death and the High Court ruling on the Palestine Action ban. They also cover Western defence cooperation, immigration debates, and children's gender identity services in short, sharp conversations.

James Macintyre, author and political journalist, discusses his unauthorised Gordon Brown biography. He traces Brown’s fraught ties with Peter Mandelson and why Brown brought him back in 2008. He reflects on Brown’s influence today, his view of Keir Starmer’s troubles, and the crises that shaped Brown’s premiership.

Tim Shipman, political journalist decoding UK government turmoil in Westminster. Lisa Haseldine, on-site reporter at the Munich Security Conference with firsthand diplomatic color. They discuss Starmer’s Munich mission, shifting UK foreign-policy tone, European defence ambitions, and how domestic chaos affects international credibility. Short, punchy takeaways and on-the-ground atmosphere from Munich.

Tim Shipman, Political Editor at The Spectator, gives sharp analysis of senior civil service appointments and Whitehall dynamics. He discusses Antonia Romeo’s rise, past vetting and controversies, her energetic, disruptive style, and her strong ministerial relationships. The conversation centers on whether she has the drive and presence to push through change at the top of the civil service.

Tim Shipman, political journalist known for hard-hitting Westminster reporting, joins to dissect a combative PMQs. He describes Keir Starmer's angry performance, the fallout from the Matthew Doyle controversy, and the pressures of vetting and parliamentary attacks. Short takes on party messaging, women's concerns, and whether this reveals Starmer's true persona.

After a dramatic day in Westminster, the threat to Starmer appears to have receded – at least in the short term. But with the Gorton and Denton by-election less than three weeks away, (more) trouble could be on the horizon. Luke Tryl – from pollsters More in Common – and James Heale join Patrick Gibbons to discuss.Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morgan McSweeney resigned yesterday as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff and – while it was not a surprise, given his role in appointing Peter Mandelson – the news that the Prime Minister has now lost his closest aide and political fire blanket is a huge shock. The repercussions are numerous: Starmer loses the man widely regarded to have won him his large majority and someone who was popular in No. 10; he has recruited two new deputies to fulfil a role considered insurmountable for one person; and it sets a precedent that anyone who allowed Mandelson to become US ambassador is liable for the chop.For a Prime Minister without a political philosophy, McSweeney was the man with the plan – where does Labour go from here? Is this the end for Starmer – and who might replace him?Tim Shipman and James Heale discuss.Produced by Megan McElroy and Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat McFadden, long-serving Labour figure and former Work and Pensions Secretary, appears in interview clips defending recent staffing decisions. He explains the reasoning behind a controversial appointment and denies involvement in selection talks. The conversation touches on criticisms about bypassing a career diplomat and political fallout for the leadership.

On this special edition of Coffee House Shots, Tim Shipman is joined by Jonathan Hinder – a rising star of the back benches and a blue Labour acolyte – for a candid discussion about the state of the Labour party and the security of its leader.They discuss the Peter Mandelson scandal and the impact it has had on backbench support for the Prime Minister, as well as the implications it may have regarding decision-making at the top of government. Are Labour MPs considering moving against Keir Starmer? Should he fight the next election?This is set within the context of local elections, which Jonathan forecasts will be ‘bad’ for the Labour party – ‘it’s not a great time to be a Labour MP’, he says. Is there a route back for the Labour party? And could Shabana Mahmood’s tougher line on immigration be the saving grace?Produced by Megan McElroy and Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.