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The Spectator
Daily political analysis from The Spectator's top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Tim Shipman, Isabel Hardman, James Heale and many others.
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Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 22, 2024 • 16min
What happened in the Commons chaos last night?
The Commons descended into farce and chaos last night. The SNP were not able to vote on their own motion on their own Opposition Day debate; the Conservatives walked out of the chamber in protest; and Lindsay Hoyle seemed tearful as he seemed to apologise for how the Gaza debate went down. On the episode, Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and Chris Ward, director at Hanbury Strategy and former deputy chief of staff to Keir Starmer.Produced by Cindy Yu.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
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Feb 21, 2024 • 12min
Has Lindsay Hoyle overstepped?
Sir Keir Starmer can breathe a sigh of relief this afternoon, thanks to Lindsay Hoyle. The Speaker has selected Labour’s amendment on a Gaza ceasefire, which means that a likely mass rebellion from Labour MPs will be averted. SNP and Tory MPs are furious at Hoyle, and say that he has tried to rewrite the rules. What's going on? Katy Balls speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman.Produced by Cindy Yu.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
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Feb 20, 2024 • 10min
Starmer moves to quell ceasefire rebellion
Today Keir Starmer has moved his party’s position on a ceasefire in Gaza as he seeks to quell what could the biggest rebellion of his leadership. MPs will vote on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with Labour set to add its own amendment to the SNP motion tomorrow. For the first time, Labour is calling for an ‘immediate humanitarian ceasefire’, but is this really such a big change in Labour's position? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu 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
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Feb 19, 2024 • 13min
Are citizens' assemblies the future?
In the Times today is the latest instalment of Tom Baldwin's authorised biography of Keir Starmer. It includes reports that Labour chief of staff Sue Gray has been drawing up plans for so-called citizens' assemblies. Are citizens' juries the future of democracy? Or is this simply a way for Starmer to avoid making policy decisions? Elsewhere there is some interesting polling out from the think tank Labour Together, warning that Labour should not get complacent despite their huge poll lead and recent by-election success. This is due to the large 'don't know' vote share and the possibility that the Reform vote could be squeezed at a general election. What would happen if the Reform vote collapses?James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson. Produced by 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
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Feb 18, 2024 • 15min
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 18/02/24
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.Alexei Navalny is dead, and our government says Putin is responsible. The Tories lose again in by-elections, and Michael Tomlinson says a vote for Reform is a vote for Labour. Meanwhile, Labour themselves are split again, with Scottish Labour backing a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill. 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
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Feb 17, 2024 • 14min
Do accents still matter in politics?
The new MP for Kingswood has been under fire for apparently changing his accent over the course of his political career. Does this matter? And if so, what does this tell us about British politics today? Cindy Yu talks to James Heale and author and former cabinet minister, Nadine Dorries.Produced by Cindy Yu and 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
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Feb 16, 2024 • 12min
Labour triumphs in by-election brace
Labour has the won two by-elections in Wellingborough and Kingswood, overturning big Conservative majorities in the process. Party chairman Richard Holden has brushed the results off as typical midterm by-elections where voters what to give the government a kicking. Does this argument stack up? And what can Reform take from the results? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Heale and pollster John Curtice.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
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Feb 15, 2024 • 11min
UK tips into recession – what's left of Sunak's priorities?
The podcast discusses the UK's recession and its impact on the government's priorities. It explores the challenges of tax cuts and the growing tax burden. The chapter also explores Rishi Sunak's popularity and the use of social media in politics. The episode concludes with a debate on framing the election.

Feb 14, 2024 • 10min
Have the Tories given up on Wellingborough & Kingswood?
The podcast discusses the worry of inflation figures remaining at 4% and its impact on Rishi Sunak's pledges. They explore the Tories' low-key campaign in the Wellingborough and Kingswood by-elections. The upcoming economic forecast and risk of recession is also analyzed. Furthermore, the focus on competence and economic credibility by the Conservatives is examined, along with Lord Cameron's changing stance on the Israeli government's actions in Gaza.

Feb 13, 2024 • 14min
Can Labour learn from its mistakes?
Natasha Feroze discusses lessons Labour can learn, including the impact of antisemitism on Keir Starmer. Also covered are Rishi Sunak's advantage over Labour's U-turns and Michael Gove's new house building plan.


