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The Spectator

Instant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Fraser Nelson, Isabel Hardman, Katy Balls, James Heale and many others.

  • 15 minutes 20 seconds
    Humza Yousaf quits – what next?
    Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has just announced his intention to resign. Lucy Dunn speaks to Katy Balls and Spectator contributor Iain Macwhirter about how the past few weeks have led to this point and what to expect from an SNP leadership contest.
    29 April 2024, 1:13 pm
  • 15 minutes 17 seconds
    Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 28/04/2024
    Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.

    The prime minister is in a frustrated mood as he bats away questions about the general election. Dan Poulter has defected to Labour, and Wes Streeting says more disaffected Tories are welcome. Humza Yousaf is walking a tightrope as he faces two votes of no-confidence. And Streeting defends Labour's decision to keep the pensions triple lock.

    Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill. 
    28 April 2024, 7:13 pm
  • 12 minutes 48 seconds
    Can Starmer do patriotism?
    It was St George's Day this week, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he has 'no time' for those who 'flinch' at the St George's flag. But how authentic is his patriotism?

    Katy Balls speaks to Tom Baldwin, former Labour Party adviser and author of new book England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country – and How to Set Them Straight.

    Produced by Megan McElroy. 
    27 April 2024, 9:00 am
  • 11 minutes 19 seconds
    Can Humza Yousaf hang on?
    Humza Yousaf faces the biggest crisis of his leadership to date – with his fate in the hands of former SNP leadership rival Ash Regan. Will Humza step down before he is pushed? Or is there a narrow gap through which the First Minister can fight on?

    Lucy Dunn speaks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls. 
    26 April 2024, 11:40 am
  • 14 minutes 37 seconds
    Is this the beginning of the end for Humza Yousaf?
    After two and a half years in government together, Humza Yousaf has terminated the SNP’s governing pact with the Scottish Greens. The decision was rubber stamped at a hastily arranged meeting of the Scottish cabinet on Thursday morning. It preempts a vote by rank-and-file Green members on whether to walk away from Yousaf’s government after he ditched a key climate target.

    In response, The Scottish Conservatives have tabled a vote of no confidence vote. And the Yousaf might very well lose it, now the Greens are out of the government. What will this mean for the first minister?

    Katy Balls speaks to Lucy Dunn, Iain Macwhirter and Fraser Nelson. 

    Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 
    25 April 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 9 minutes 28 seconds
    Has Angela Rayner redeemed herself?
    With Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer away, Oliver Dowden and Angela Rayner stepped in for PMQs today. Questions quickly turned to the long running row about Rayner's tax affairs. Did she redeem herself?   

    Also, the prime minister has announced further UK military spending, confirming it will rise to 2.5% of national income by 2030. Does the move cause problems for Keir Starmer? 

    Katy Balls speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman. 

    Produced by Megan McElroy.
    24 April 2024, 5:18 pm
  • 12 minutes 46 seconds
    Sunak’s Rwanda Bill finally passes parliament
    After eight hours of debate on the Rwanda Bill, peers finally threw in the towel shortly after midnight. And with that, the Rwanda Bill became law, pending Royal Assent from the King. The two chambers have been engaged in a mammoth game of ping-pong for the past week, culminating in yesterday’s showdown on two final amendments. What comes next? 

    Kate Andrews speaks to James Heale and Katy Balls. 

    Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 
    23 April 2024, 12:00 pm
  • 11 minutes 58 seconds
    Will there be a summer election?
    This morning Rishi Sunak delivered a press conference making the case that the Rwanda Bill should become law today – and the government is ready for when it does. James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about what could be an all-night parliamentary showdown on the Rwanda vote, and whether an early summer election is on the cards.

    Produced by Natasha Feroze. 
    22 April 2024, 11:21 am
  • 15 minutes 38 seconds
    Can things get worse for the SNP?
    It's been quite the week for the SNP. Questions remain over the future of the Sandyford gender clinic, 'the tartan Tavistock'; the Scottish government ditched its flagship climate change target; and former party chief executive, and husband of Nicola Sturgeon, Peter Murrell was rearrested on embezzlement charges. 

    What does this all mean for the SNP? Lucy Dunn speaks to Iain Macwhirter, columnist at The Times, and Shona Craven, columnist at The National.

    Produced by Natasha Feroze and Patrick Gibbons
    20 April 2024, 7:00 am
  • 9 minutes 14 seconds
    Sunak declares a crackdown on Britain’s ‘sick note culture’
    Rishi Sunak has returned to one of his pet bugbears: getting the unemployed back into work. His speech to the Centre for Social Justice this morning was peppered with his favourite facts about the post-pandemic welfare crisis embroiling Britain. Lucy Dunn speaks to James Heale and Michael Simmons. 

    Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 
    19 April 2024, 12:30 pm
  • 10 minutes 56 seconds
    Is it smart to ban phones for teens?
    Sunak's top team is considering another ban: smartphones for teens. A consultation is due to begin this month that will question whether children need a smartphone, and if social media should require age verification. Could the debate bring the party together? 

    Also, there's another suspension in Westminster. Mark Menzies has been suspended after claims he made a late night call to ask for money to pay off 'bad people'. He strongly disputes the claims. 

    Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and James Heale. 

    Produced by Megan McElroy. 
    18 April 2024, 4:00 pm
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