Is an immunity test around the corner?
14 min listen
Katy Balls
Katy Balls is The Spectator’s political editor.
Wednesday
Why MPs are talking about a government of national unity again
The idea of a government of national unity appeared to have died when Boris Johnson won a decisive majority of 80 in the December snap election. Prior to that, it was a topic that frequently dominated Theresa May’s premiership and the beginning of Johnson’s. Proponents argued that a government formed of senior figures from each
Tuesday
Who’s to blame for the tube overcrowding?
12 min listen
The government blames Sadiq Khan for tube overcrowding
With social distancing now the order of the day, Matt Hancock used today’s government press conference to update the nation on NHS preparedness – and call for the country to come together to tackle the pandemic. The latest government figures put the number of coronavirus fatalities at 422 and this is expected to rise. In order
Monday
Britain enters lockdown
12 min listen
Is the government’s coronavirus approach confused?
15 min listen
Saturday
What does coronavirus mean for Britain’s prisons?
21 min listen
Friday
Did the government just nationalise wages?
13 min listen
Boris Johnson shuts down pubs – but promises to pay people’s wages
Boris Johnson has announced this evening that pubs and restaurants must close as of this evening. After beginning the week by telling the public they should avoid such venues, the Prime Minister has now instructed these establishments to close their doors: ‘We are collectively telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon
Emily Thornberry
37 min listen
Emily Thornberry is the shadow Foreign Secretary and former contender for the Labour leadership. On the podcast, she talks to Katy about her challenging childhood, what practising law taught her about politics, and her bid to succeed Jeremy Corbyn.
Thursday
Can this virus really be beaten within 12 weeks?
13 min listen
Boris Johnson’s optimistic coronavirus press conference
Boris Johnson struck an optimistic note in his fourth press conference of the week. The Prime Minister attempted to answer the question of how long Brits ought to expect to have to change their lifestyle in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Johnson said that he believed the UK could ‘turn the tide’ on
Wednesday
The unanswerable question on coronavirus
13 min listen
The government today announced that schools will be closed come this Friday. Boris Johnson wasn’t able to answer when they will resume, but James Forsyth says in today’s Coffee House Shots podcast that this is only the beginning of stricter social measures, some of which could become compulsory in the not distant future. Rumours abound
Theresa May asks the unanswerable question on Covid-19 at PMQs
Prime Minister’s Questions offered a stark reminder of the situation the UK is in. As a result of coronavirus safety fears, the weekly event was drastically pared down. MPs were only allowed in the Commons Chamber if they were on the order paper – along with the front bench for the Tories and Labour. Those who made
Tuesday
The Sunak stimulus
14 min listen
The Sunak stimulus
Boris Johnson used his daily coronavirus press conference to respond to the economic emergency the country is increasingly finding itself in. Accompanied by his Chancellor Rishi Sunak and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, the Prime Minister said that he was aware the virus would severely impact the economy and that the government was focussed on
The new thinking behind the government’s coronavirus approach
As the British public adjust to new social distancing measures, a common question: how long will this last? At the press conference on Monday, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty was keen to stress that the government measures to tackle the coronavirus resemble a ‘marathon not a sprint’. While the elderly have been told they could need to
Monday
Is the country ready for life under coronavirus?
15 min listen
Can the government keep the public’s trust?
16 min listen
Sunday
Matt Hancock attempts to set record straight on ‘herd immunity’
After a weekend of opposition party criticism and anonymous briefings over the government’s coronavirus strategy, Matt Hancock appeared on the Andrew Marr show in a bid to set the record straight. With the number of UK fatalities now at 21, the Health Secretary attempted to reassure members of the public that the government was doing everything in
