Coffee House Shots

Kemi Badenoch has delivered a major speech on the economy ahead of next week's Budget, calling for welfare cuts to fund higher defence spending. But with some encouraging economic figures, is her attack on Labour landing?
Meanwhile, new polling suggests the Conservatives are reclaiming their position as the main opposition to Labour. Badenoch says she wants Reform voters back – but not its MPs. Are the Tories back in the conversation? And could Labour's divisions over immigration offer the Tories another opening?
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Michael Simmons and Noa Hoffman.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
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For this live edition of Coffee House Shots, James Heale and Lara Brown are joined by pollster and strategist Scarlett Maguire at the Battle of Ideas Festival to unpack the party conference season and look ahead to the Budget.

Who emerged from conference season in the strongest position, and why are the Conservatives and Labour finding their feet while Reform and the Greens falter?
With the Budget looming, could suspected tax rises on the banks help Labour avoid a repeat of the political fallout from Rachel Reeves’s budget last year? Can Reform broaden its appeal beyond immigration and make the economy part of its pitch?
Plus: with Labour MPs seemingly united behind Andy Burnham, is this really the party’s last chance saloon?

Produced by Abigail Brierley.
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Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.

Ministers react to Donald Trump's latest interventions in the war Russia-Ukraine conflict. And Zack Polanski is unapologetic in his reaction to the Green Party's 'Zionism is racism' motion.

Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.
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This week, The Spectator hosted a debate on the motion: This house believes Britain no longer has free speech.

Chaired by The Spectator’s Assistant Editor Isabel Hardman, the debate saw former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie and women’s rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen propose the motion, with former Supreme Court Justice Jonathan Sumption and politician and commentator Ed Vaizey arguing against it.

In this episode, we hear Jonathan Sumption and Kellie-Jay Keen set out their cases before the panel goes head-to-head on cancel culture, the role of the police, overzealous lawyers and the responsibility of the press.

To find out more about upcoming Spectator events, visit events.spectator.co.uk.

Produced by Abigail Brierley.
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With the Budget fast approaching, is Labour about to pick a fight with the City? Could a new bank tax help John Healey plug the fiscal black hole – or would it risk damaging one of Britain’s most successful industries?

Meanwhile, the SNP party conference in underway in Aberdeen, and John Swinney is once again talking about Scottish independence. But could Andy Burnham pose a threat to the SNP's hold on Scotland?

Plus, Reform is facing fresh questions over misogyny after another round of undercover recordings. Can Nigel Farage get his party back on the front foot?

Produced by Abigail Brierley.
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.

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