What would Keir Starmer’s first 100 days look like?
16 min listen
Katy Balls
Katy Balls is The Spectator’s political editor.
Saturday
Friday
The Prue Leith Edition
32 min listen
Prue Leith is a restaurateur, Bake Off judge, and advisor to the government’s review on hospital food. On the podcast, she talks to Katy Balls about growing up in apartheid South Africa, how she got her first Michelin star, and having breakfast with Boris Johnson in Downing St. Prue Leith will be live in conversation
Will this be a coronavirus Budget?
12 min listen
Thursday
Planet Corona: is this the tipping point for globalisation?
38 min listen
As the coronavirus sweeps across the globe, it’s causing businesses, consumers, and governments to rethink their globalised lives. Is this a tipping point for hyper-globalisation (1:00)? Plus, is the government slimming down its Budget plans (13:40)? And last, is it harder to be eco-friendly if you are a woman (26:35)?
Why won’t Keir Starmer reveal his donors?
11 min listen
Wednesday
Why Boris Johnson still backs Priti Patel
10 min listen
Why the Tories won’t give Priti Patel up without a fight
Another day, another set of allegations against Priti Patel. When the Home Secretary’s top civil servant Sir Philip Rutnam resigned over the weekend, he used a public statement to accuse Patel of intimidating behaviour towards staff. Since then, more allegations have surfaced over her behaviour dating back to roles in other departments. Today The Sun reports
Tuesday
What is the government’s coronavirus battle plan?
11 min listen
Monday
Priti Patel under investigation – as Tory MPs rally to her defence
Since Sir Philip Rutnam resigned as the Home Office permanent secretary, alleging that Priti Patel had created a climate of fear in the department, the Home Secretary has kept a low profile and made no public comment. Today the government were forced to formally respond to the claims thanks to an urgent question from Jeremy
Saturday
What Sir Philip Rutnam’s departure means for Priti Patel
The government’s battle with the civil service has escalated this morning with the departure of Sir Philip Rutnam as Home Office permanent secretary. Rutnam has quit the role following a fortnight of negative coverage and briefings over his strained working relationship with Priti Patel. Announcing his decision, Rutnam blamed a ‘vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign’
How damaging is Philip Rutnam’s resignation?
15 min listen
Is the Heathrow ruling a failure of politics?
13 min listen
What would a Keir Starmer Labour party look like?
There’s still a month of the Labour leadership contest to go but most MPs have already concluded that Keir Starmer will win. The shadow Brexit secretary has led in every category so far: MPs, unions and local parties. As the contest enters its final stage, polling suggests the membership agree and Sir Keir will sail
Friday
How Keir Starmer could capitalise on the No. 10 media boycott
This week Labour members received their ballots to vote in the leadership contest. They have until 2 April to cast their vote but all the polling suggests it’s a done deal. After a YouGov/Sky News LabourList poll this week predicted Sir Keir Starmer to win in the first round with more than 50 per cent
Can the government contain a coronavirus outbreak?
12 min listen
Thursday
Gove threatens to scrap Brexit talks by the summer
Michael Gove has spent the morning updating MPs on the government’s official Brexit position. Following a series of speeches in recent weeks from senior members of the government, Gove confirmed in the chamber that the UK is seeking ‘regulatory’ freedom from the EU. He said that the UK should not be subject to EU rules
Wednesday
Sajid Javid offers a parting shot in resignation statement
Ahead of Sajid Javid’s resignation statement in the Commons, allies of the former chancellor were keen to press that it would be a friendly affair. The idea being that Javid wanted to use the traditional personal statement to be constructive rather than score points. In the end, there was plenty of praise for the Prime
Tuesday
What’s on the EU’s Brexit wishlist?
12 min listen
