Latest news with #TimShipman
Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Coffee House Shots Live: Are the Tories toast?
Exclusive to subscribers, watch our latest event Are the Tories toast? live. Spectator editor Michael Gove, is joined by new political editor Tim Shipman and assistant editor Isabel Hardman as they discuss where the Tories go from here. The strange death of Tory England has been predicted before. But never has the 'natural party of government' faced a greater challenge to survive. The Conservatives are facing attacks on all fronts from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK. Kemi Badenoch's six-month anniversary as leader was marked by the loss of nearly 700 councillors, with a stern test awaiting next year in Scotland and in Wales. She promises change with her long-awaited policy commissions, ahead of a make-or-break party conference in October, but can she turn it around? Is there a road back to power for the 121 surviving Tory MPs? And what exactly is Robert Jenrick and the rest of the shadow cabinet up to? If you would like a reminder to join the livestream tonight at 7.00pm, please enter your email address below: *Please note this is a subscriber-only exclusive. If you would like to sign up and get your first 3 months for just £3, subscribe today.
Spectator
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
The unstoppable Angela Rayner
There is the small matter of the Macron–Starmer press conference today, at which the Prime Minister will hope to announce a new migration deal with France. But we thought we would dedicate today's podcast to Angela Rayner, with some MPs thinking that the answer to Labour's woes could be to 'give it Ange until the end of the season'. As Tim Shipman reports in the magazine, she has undergone quite the political transformation – keeping her head down and away from incoming fire. Downing Street is taking her increasingly seriously. Is she the new John Prescott – or even the next Labour leader? Also on the podcast today: Jake Berry, former Conservative party chairman, defected to Reform last night. But how much of a coup is that really for Nigel's gang? Oscar Edmondson speaks to Tim Shipman and James Heale. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. For tickets to our Coffee House Shots live podcast next week, go to:
Spectator
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Can Keir defrost the ‘entente glaciale'?
Zut alors! The French are in town. Emmanuel Macron is on his state visit this week, spending time today with the King and tomorrow with the Prime Minister. His itinerary includes a state dinner and an address to both Houses of Parliament this afternoon. All the pageantry, of course, is for a reason: to defrost what Tim Shipman calls the 'entente glaciale' and the stalemate over migration. Keir will be hoping to get the French to sign a 'one in, one out' migration deal – with Labour seemingly surprised that, upon coming into power, the French didn't roll over and make concessions on small boats when a left-wing government took office. Can we expect a new entente cordiale? Is there anything in it for Macron when it comes to stopping the boats? We also received the sad news today that Tory grandee Norman Tebbit and regular Spectator contributor Jonathan Miller have passed away. We remember both of them on the podcast. James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Freddy Gray. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Megan McElroy.
Spectator
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Labour's first year (in review) with Tim Shipman & Quentin Letts
Cast your mind back a year. Labour had just won a storming majority, promising 'change' to a stale Tory party that was struggling to govern. But have things got any better? In the magazine this week, Tim Shipman writes the cover piece to mark the occasion of Labour's first year in government. He takes readers through three chapters: from Sue Gray (freebies scandal and winter fuel cut) to Morgan McSweeney (a degree of professionalisation and dealing with the Donald) to the point at which 'things fall apart' (assisted dying, the welfare vote and Reeves's tears). On the podcast, Tim is joined by The Spectator's James Heale as well as sketchwriter and long-time Westminster mischief-maker Quentin Letts to go through the events and personalities that have contributed to the dysfunction. Listen for: Tim's run-in with Lord Hermer at the US Ambassador's bash; why Jeremy Corbyn's mooted political party could cause a chasm in the Labour party to rival the one tearing the Conservatives apart; who the targets for the chop might be, should there be a reshuffle; how young members of the Labour party are beginning their charm offensive on Angela Rayner; and why politicians have failed to grasp the banal fundamentals that make a great political performer. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Spectator
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Who's having a worse week: Keir or Kemi?
It's bad news all round for Labour and the Tories. An MRP poll out today forecasts that if an election were held tomorrow, Labour would not only lose its majority, but fall behind Reform to become the second-largest party. The Conservatives would be reduced to a mere 46 seats, placing them fourth behind the Lib Dems. But that's just the beginning of their collective woes. On the Labour side – despite Keir Starmer's charm offensive and ongoing talks with Labour MPs about potential changes to welfare policy – the number of rebels appears to be growing. The feeling increasingly is that someone might have to go, and calls for 'regime change' splash the Times. Is time up for Morgan McSweeney? On the other side of the House, the Tories are in disarray, as Tim Shipman reports in The Spectator this week. In his scoop-filled piece, he writes: David Cameron thinks Robert Jenrick should be the next Tory leader, strategists fear the best they can hope for is to salvage 80 seats, and the blond bombshell Boris Johnson has a five-point plan for his return. Are the Tories toast? James Heale speaks to Michael Gove and Tim Shipman. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Megan McElroy.
