Is the West failing to rise to the coronavirus challenge?
15 min listen
Katy Balls talks to Sophia Gaston, Director of the British Foreign Policy Group, and Cindy Yu about the Western and Chinese responses to the coronavirus.
Katy Balls
Katy Balls is The Spectator’s political editor.
Saturday
William Hague: ‘We are heading for increased nationalism and socialism in the world’
What will the lasting impact of the coronavirus be in the UK? It’s a question William Hague attempts to help answer on this week’s The Edition podcast from The Spectator. The former foreign secretary joins James Forsyth to discuss the politics column in this week’s magazine. He says that any such forecast has to come with a very
Friday
What Boris Johnson’s coronavirus diagnosis means for the government
Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus. The Prime Minister took a test for the virus on Thursday at the advice of Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty after experiencing mild symptoms. As a result Johnson is now self-isolating in 10 Downing Street, a spokesman said: ‘After experiencing mild symptoms yesterday, the Prime Minister was tested
The Lisa Nandy Edition
30 min listen
Lisa Nandy is the Labour MP for Wigan and former shadow energy secretary. She is one of the remaining three contenders for Labour leader. On the podcast, she talks to Katy about her childhood ambitions, cross-party friendships, and the worst advice she’s ever been given.
Thursday
The front line: how the NHS is preparing for battle
39 min listen
How prepared is the NHS for the coming battle with coronavirus (1:20)? Plus, what will Britain look like after the epidemic (12:20)? And last, just how are children so good at make-believe (29:25)? With Dr Max Pemberton, Dr Kieran Mullan, James Forsyth, William Hague, Mary Wakefield and Piers Torday. Presented by Cindy Yu and Katy
What is Sunak’s stimulus for the self-employed?
14 min listen
Rishi Sunak offers support for self-employed – but there could be a sting in the tail
After a week of speculation, the Chancellor used today’s coronavirus press conference to unveil the government package to help the self-employed. Announcing the new measures, Rishi Sunak said that the reason for the delay had been the sheer complexity of having to come up with a new payment system that could cover such a diverse workforce and not
Wednesday
Is an immunity test around the corner?
14 min listen
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