Summary

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes
  • All eyes on Wes: inside Labour's leadership crisis
    May 14 2026

    Wes Streeting is/was expected to make his move today for the Labour leadership – but does he have the numbers? There was some frantic briefing last night, with competing claims about who has the required number of MPs and who might be prepared to give up their seat to Andy Burnham. It almost takes us back to the days of Tory infighting.

    But the big news this morning is that Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC. In an incredibly well-timed judgment, there is now nothing standing in her way from making her own bid for the top job. So where are we on Thursday morning? What should we expect from the next 48 hours?

    James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and James Lyons, former director of strategic communications in Number 10.

    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    17 mins
  • If it’s not Keir, it’s Carns | Mike Tapp MP
    May 13 2026

    In this special edition of Coffee House Shorts, Noa Hoffman is joined by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office minister Mike Tapp. On a day of high drama in Westminster, with Wes Streeting widely expected to challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership tomorrow, Mike sets out exactly why he’s sticking with the Prime Minister for the sake of stability. However, he does make the concession that waiting in the wings is a particularly impressive former military man, Al Carns, who – in the absence of Keir Starmer – might well be what the country is looking for.

    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    22 mins
  • Starmer says put up or shut up
    May 12 2026

    The Prime Minister is digging his heels in. Keir Starmer has told his cabinet that he is not going anywhere, despite a growing list of MPs calling for him to go.


    At 9.30 a.m., Starmer was greeted by his senior ministers, many of whom now believe the game is up. So is this his ‘put up or shut up’ moment? Will anyone move today – and if they do, what happens next?


    Tim Shipman and James Heale join Noa Hoffman to assess Starmer’s fight for survival, the mood inside Labour, and where we go from here.

    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.

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    13 mins
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All stars
Most relevant
Inntelligent and informed conversation about the days events. The Spectator team is always worth listening to. Highly recommended.

a perfect dose of politics

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Coffee House Shots offers an excellent take on the top political issues of the day.

An excellent take on the top political issues of the day

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Spectator always do a brilliant job of breaking down the latest political news. been listening for years.

Brilliant discussions

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