Fraser Nelson

Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Isabel Hardman and Fraser Nelson are joined by special guest, the American pollster Frank Luntz, in this episode of Coffee House Shots, recorded in front of a live audience at Conservative Party Conference. They discuss what it means to be a Conservative these days, whether 'levelling up' means anything and who should be the next Tory party leader.

A shortage of HGV drivers has led to empty petrol pumps and talk that supermarket shelves could be empty come Christmas. Delivery firms want the government to ease immigration rules to fill the gap, but, aside from allowing a small number of emergency visas, they have refused to step in. Why? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.

For this week's Saturday Coffee House Shots, Katy Balls, Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth sit down with John Kemp, senior energy analyst at Reuters to discuss the energy crisis. How long will this continue? How high will prices go? What will the government do in response? And is there a possibility of blackouts during the winter months?

With many smaller energy companies folding because of a steep rise in the cost of gas, how long will it take before the bigger firms turn to the government for help, and will continuously rising wages help soften the blow? Katy Balls talks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.

On this week's episode, Fraser Nelson starts by reading the leader. Britain has a labour shortage and our immigration system is a mess - why not have an amnesty for migrants without legal status? (01:00) Michela Wrong is on next. She found herself in the sights of Rwandan President Paul Kagame after she wrote a book exposing the abuses of his regime. (07:05)Mark Mason reads his piece to finish the podcast. Ordering at the bar isn't just about buying a drink, he says.

Michael Gove has been tasked with transforming levelling up from a soundbite to an agenda. What will this look like? And what Michael Gove will we get, the liberal reformer or big state lockdown supporter? Katy Balls is joined by Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth to discuss.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid today laid out his two plans for dealing with Covid this winter. The first, Plan A, proposes a booster shot for everyone over 50, combined with the flu jab. This would also see contact tracing continue, along with self-isolation for the infected and financial support for those isolating. Plan B proposes vaccine passports and mask mandates in certain settings. To discuss how this was received in the Commons, Katy Balls is joined by Isabel Hardman, James Forsyth and, making a surprise appearance, Fraser Nelson.

It's been 20 years since the 11 September attacks and their effect has had a lasting impact on the world. Katy Balls talks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth about their memories of that day, the mistakes made in its aftermath and if the new Taliban takeover of Afghanistan leaves us more vulnerable to similar attacks.

Labour are ahead of the Conservatives in a poll for the first time since January. It comes just days after Boris Johnson announced his government's plan to fix social care: a rise in National Insurance. Should the Tories worry? Katy Balls is joined by James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson.

Boris Johnson has got his social care payment plan past the Commons, but there were a fair number of Tory abstentions, who still have a philosophical issue with this policy. Also with vaccine passports seemingly just around the corner, could this be another battleground for a Conservative rebellion? Katy Balls is joined by Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth to discuss.

New data from Israel shows that the Delta variant is getting through the protection offered by double jabs, even though the vaccines do lessen symptoms.  But the study, of more than 800,000 cases, suggests those who have recovered from Covid have stronger protection than those who have not: jabbed or unjabbed. Will this make it harder to justify "no jab, no job" policies, if those at risk of losing their jobs say they can prove they were diagnosed positive and now have antibodies? Isabel Hardman talks to Fraser Nelson and Kate Andrews.

After the attack on Kabul's airport by Isis-K, President Biden addressed the world last night and mourned for the 13 US marines who were killed. But with this grim event already being politicised by the Republicans, what will the lasting damage to the president legacy be?Isobel Hardman in conversation with Kate Andrews and Fraser Nelson.

As many had expected, President Biden has not agreed to extend the August 31 deadline despite pleas from Nato allies in today's G7 call. Meanwhile, there are signs that the veneer of the new and reformed Taliban is already beginning to crack in Afghanistan. Katy Balls talks to Isabel Hardman and Fraser Nelson.

The Prime Minister has requested Washington to extend the August 31 deadline for the withdrawal of US troops from Kabul. But will Joe Biden acquiesce, amidst warnings from the Taliban that there will be 'consequences' if the US stays longer? Isabel Hardman talks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls.