James Heale is The Spectator’s deputy political editor.
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Gawain Towler, Reform UK board member and their former director of communications, sits down with James Heale to talk about Reform’s appeal ahead of the local elections. Gawain argues that Reform needs to broaden its appeal as it won’t find the votes to win to its right, but points to their anti-establishment, nationalist and pro-business
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In the magazine this week, Ben Judah – former adviser in the Foreign Office – makes the case for ‘Anglo-Gaullism’. He says that Britain should learn the lessons of France’s Charles de Gaulle when carving out its place in the world, especially given the increasingly erratic nature of the US and the fragmentation of politics
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12 min listen
The new cabinet secretary, Antonia Romeo, has published a list of objectives setting out her vision for what the civil service will look like under her. Many have interpreted it as her tightening control over government … especially since Darren Jones stepped back from his Downing Street role. The path is clear for her to
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Nigel Farage likes a gamble. Crypto bros and hedge-fund managers bankroll his enterprises; his social circle is filled with traders, bridge players and money men who fancy a flutter. It was Malcolm Muggeridge who claimed that ‘to succeed pre-eminently in English public life it is necessary to conform either to the popular image of a
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It is one of the world’s most remote corners – but Greenland is playing an increasingly important role in global affairs. In January last year, the island’s 57,000 residents became an object of desire for Donald Trump. ‘I think Greenland we’ll get because it has to do with freedom of the world,’ declared the bombastic
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We are hours away from Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the strait of Hormuz. The President has ‘chickened out’ many times before and offered an extension of some kind, but the threats and posturing ahead of this deadline make it difficult for either side to back down. Will Trump really ‘end Iranian civilisation’
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28 min listen
Opinion polls consistently show Keir Starmer as one of the most unpopular Prime Ministers in history. His critics point to inertia and a lack of vision, while his supporters argue that media spin is harming the image of a decent man. Less than two years on from Labour’s landslide victory, broadcaster Lewis Goodall joins James
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27 min listen
Can the Conservatives win back voters’ support through a new kind of ‘conservative radicalism’? Jack Rankin, Conservative MP for Windsor, joins James Heale to explain why he believes a focus on aspiration and wealth creation, paired with political courage to combat ‘short-termism and stakeholderism’, would enhance the Party’s appeal and energise its supporter base. Jack
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13 min listen
Charles Grant from the Centre for European Reform and Tim Shipman join James Heale to reflect on the rumours about Britain’s latest set of negotiations with the European Union. There are reports that the EU may be willing to accept some form of mechanism, that the UK could use, should Britain ever wish to temporarily
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15 min listen
Donald Trump has said he is ‘strongly considering’ pulling the US out of NATO, in comments made to the Telegraph – and it doesn’t appear to be an April Fool. This isn’t the first time he has rallied against the Alliance so should the UK take him seriously? Plus – what is Keir Starmer’s strategy?
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The IMF has warned Britain is particularly vulnerable to another spike in energy prices, and is more exposed than many of its European neighbours. Why is that the case? And does the government have any real plan to shield households and businesses from the fallout? With the Tories and Reform calling for the government to
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20 min listen
Questions are being asked about Morgan McSweeney’s missing phone, which he reported stolen to police last year. What might seem like a minor case of petty theft actually has serious implications for the investigation into Peter Mandelson’s appointment. It also raises questions about Keir Starmer’s general approach to government. James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman
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One of the great gifts in politics is the capacity to surprise. Kemi Badenoch, again, demonstrated her ability in this respect when she chose to wrong-foot Keir Starmer at the last PMQs before recess. All of Westminster is talking about Morgan McSweeney’s missing phone, which has taken on the status of Chekhov’s gun in the
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Britain’s response to the conflict in Iran is dominating Westminster – but is Keir Starmer really keeping the country out of war? After a tense Liaison Committee appearance exposed divisions over defence spending, pressure is also mounting on the government’s economic strategy. With energy prices rising, mortgage products disappearing and fears of inflation returning, how
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23 min listen
Three big stories are on the agenda this morning: the war in Iran has dominated over the weekend, with Trump now failing to conceal his feelings towards Keir Starmer; Ed Miliband is also rising in profile, with those close to the cabinet briefing against him and his influence; and, finally, the Liaison Committee will sit
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30 min listen
This week James Heale and Tim Shipman share a byline to tell the story of Reform since the 2024 election, and where they are going. Nigel Farage reveals he is talking to potential Blue Labour defectors, shifting his leadership style and offering a ‘less is more’ approach on policy. Essex and its resident Tory big
From our UK edition
51 min listen
As Reform chips away at the Tory vote, the Conservatives face a stark choice – join forces with Nigel Farage or fight alone. James Heale, The Spectator’s deputy political editor, will be joined by Conservative peer Daniel Hannan, journalist and politician Paul Goodman, shadow cabinet member Victoria Atkins, and former Brexit secretary David Davis as they lock
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45 min listen
Nigel Farage is a shark – hell bent on devouring Britain’s political class, as illustrated with the Spectator‘s cover story this week, co-authored by James Heale and Tim Shipman. Yet, from rows over the pension triple lock to stagnation in the polls, it isn’t clear that Farage has a strategy for power. Reform may win
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The Tories launched their local election campaign this morning, with a beaming Kemi Badenoch surrounded by rows of flag-waving party members. The polls remain stubbornly low for the party, but the Conservative leader gave little sign of that getting to her. In a 20-minute speech, she gave an upbeat, on-message performance which centred on her
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11 min listen
Angela Rayner has entered the chat. Last night she gave a speech to Labour members which many are reading as the soft launch of her leadership bid. She told the room that Labour needs to be more ‘bold’ – echoing Gordon Brown as she called for a more left-wing direction. She took aim specifically at
