Katy Balls

Katy Balls

Katy Balls is The Spectator’s former political editor.

Monday

Katy Balls

Johnson under pressure on offer to Ukraine refugees

What help will the government offer to Ukrainians seeking shelter in the UK? While the Prime Minister has been talking up his support for the Ukrainian people, government actions on offering refuge to those fleeing the country has so far been limited. After immigration minister Kevin Foster suggested on social media that those escaping Putin's invasion could qualify for the seasonal worker scheme — which applies to jobs such as fruit picking — Boris Johnson is under pressure to go much further (Foster's tweet has now been deleted).  What help will the government offer to Ukrainians seeking shelter in the UK? On Sunday, the government announced that Ukrainian nationals settled in the UK will be able to bring their 'immediate family members' to join them.

Katy Balls

Has Putin underestimated the West?

12 min listen

Over the weekend, the West unveiled further measures to punish Russia for invading Ukraine. The European Union said it would put limits on the Russian central bank's ability to access its reserve of foreign currency, Finland blocked Russia from its airspace, and Germany pledged that it would increase its defence spending to 2 per cent. Has Putin underestimated western resolve? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman.

Friday

Katy Balls

What is Sunak’s vision for the economy?

11 min listen

Katy Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and Tony Danker, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), about the Chancellor's Mais lecture on Thursday, where he reaffirmed his belief in 'sustainably' cutting taxes.

Katy Balls

Are Russia’s oligarchs the key to stopping Putin?

12 min listen

Russian forces are attempting to take Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, said he would be spending the day trying to convince European allies like Germany and Italy, who are reluctant to put too harsh sanctions on Russia, to ban them from the Swift payments system. How else can the West put Putin under pressure?Max Jeffery speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.

Thursday

Katy Balls

The Fiona Hill US Edition

44 min listen

Fiona Hill is the former director for European and Russian Affairs on the United States National Security Council. She has advised presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama and George Bush. In November 2019, she testified at Trump's first impeachment hearing. On the podcast, she tells Katy about growing up in the North East and moving the America, meeting Vladimir Putin, working in Trump's White House, and why getting a perm was such a bad idea.

Katy Balls

Ukraine under siege – what now?

15 min listen

Vladimir Putin has launched an attack on multiple fronts across Ukraine. In a televised speech, the Russian leader announced a 'military operation' in Ukraine's Donbas region.Today, Boris Johnson has vowed to hit Russia with a 'massive' package of sanctions. But who will really suffer from these sanctions? And will it be enough to deter stop Putin in his tracks?All to be discussed as Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Owen Matthews, The Spectator's Russia correspondent.

Katy Balls

Boris Johnson promises more sanctions

Following Vladimir Putin's decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Boris Johnson has addressed the nation. Speaking from 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister spoke of his regret that 'our worst fears have now come true' and Russia had 'unleashed war in our European continent'. Johnson said he had spoken with the Ukrainian president to reiterate the UK's ongoing support. A vast invasion is underway — by land, by sea, and by air. And this is not, in the infamous phrase, some faraway country of which we know little. We have Ukrainian friends in this country; neighbours, co-workers: Ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny.

Wednesday

Katy Balls

How Starmer is using the crisis in Ukraine to his advantage

Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer had one thing in common at PMQs: they were both keen to talk about the escalating situation in Ukraine. While the Prime Minister wants to use the crisis to show there are more important issues than parties, the Labour leader views it as an opportunity to put some clear blue water between himself and his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn.  Starmer is using the Ukraine situation this week to emphasise Labour’s return to the centre His call at Prime Minister’s Questions to ban Russia Today has already received some criticism from figures on the left and right of the party who believe it would be self-defeating.

Katy Balls

Are UK sanctions all bark no bite?

12 min listen

For the last few weeks, the UK has condemned Putin and promised a strong response in the face of more Russian aggression. But when Boris Johnson announced his sanctions, for many, including those within his own party, they felt a little small. Particularly when compared to Germany cancelling the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Isabel Hardman talks with James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the UK's response to the Russian invasion.

Tuesday

Katy Balls

Russia invades: what comes next?

11 min listen

Last night Vladimir Putin gave an hour-long television address to the Russian people over his decision to move troops into Ukraine. Amid international condemnation, Boris Johnson held a Cobra meeting this morning to discuss the UK's next moves. Meanwhile, Germany has put the brakes on Nord Stream 2.‘The ball is now back in Vladimir Putin’s court. This is at the maximal end of responses that were expected' — James Forsyth.Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.

Monday

Katy Balls

Will Brits with Covid still self-isolate?

11 min listen

With Boris Johnson set to announce the end of legal Covid restrictions later today, how will people respond? Will they continue to isolate, or choose to go about their life even if they have the virus?Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth, Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson about the change, as well as the continuing crisis in Ukraine.

Katy Balls

Will Boris Johnson’s big week be undone by partygate?

When Boris Johnson gave an interview on Sunday to the BBC's Sophie Raworth, he was not keen to talk about partygate – refusing to do so 17 times – but he did want to make hay with his plan to end all legally-binding Covid restrictions in the coming days. At the end of the interview, the Prime Minister said that while the pandemic was not over, it was time for the nation to 'get back to work'. Johnson is far more keen to talk tough on Ukraine than address his domestic problems As MPs return to Westminster after a week's break, Johnson and his team hope to rally MPs behind them with the government's plan for living with Covid.

Saturday

Katy Balls

Katy Balls, Julie Bindel and Douglas Murray

22 min listen

On this week's episode, we’ll hear from Katy Balls on Labour’s strategy – would Starmer actually prefer Boris Johnson to stay in place? (00:51)Next, Julie Bindel on the rise of lesbian divorce (06:12)And finally, Douglas Murray on the hellish new trend of having to bring your ‘whole self’ to work. (14:00)Produced and presented by Sam HolmesSubscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher.

Friday

Katy Balls

Should Boris scrap free Covid tests?

11 min listen

Next week is the end of recess and Boris Johnson is expected to scrap universal access to free Covid tests. What will be the reaction to this?'You do have to wonder if tests are the best use of taxpayer's money given the pressure on the NHS' - Fraser NelsonAlso on the podcast, the Met Office has told millions to stay at home as Storm Eunice battles across the UK. Could this be another sign of the times?

Thursday

Katy Balls

No one has done more to save Boris than Keir Starmer

Boris Johnson has a lot of people to thank for his survival in 10 Downing Street, but Keir Starmer should be at the top of the list. The Labour leader whipped his MPs to side with the government when lockdown votes looked tricky. Labour even saved Johnson from a defeat in the Commons over vaccine passports. But Starmer’s greatest service came last month, on a day that could have finished Johnson for good. Members of the 2019 crop of Tory MPs had met to discuss their problems with the Prime Minister. The scene was set for an old-fashioned Conservative regicide. But just as senior Tories began to tell journalists that a confidence vote was imminent, the Labour party announced that Christian Wakeford, a Red Wall MP, had crossed the floor.

Wednesday

Katy Balls

What will be the cost of sanctions against Russia?

10 min listen

Joe Biden has set out his intentions to impose sanctions against Russia should Putin decide to launch an invasion against Ukraine. Are European countries that economically rely on Russia prepared for the inevitable costs that will come with these sanctions?'There is no way you could have a set of sanctions on Russia without thinking there will be some cost to the West for imposing them' - James ForsythAlso on the podcast, what's the latest with the Partygate police probe? All to be discussed as Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.

Tuesday

Katy Balls

Can the government solve the cost of living crisis?

12 min listen

Two issues dominate the news this week. While Putin is recalling some troops back to their barracks, the situation in Ukraine is far from over. Meanwhile at home, we are in a cost of living crisis that could continue for years to come. What will the government do to resolve this crisis?All to be discussed with Katy Balls and James Forsyth on today's Coffee House Shots.

Monday

Katy Balls

Boris vs the Scottish Tories

As the Foreign Secretary warns an invasion of Ukraine by Russia could be 'imminent', Boris Johnson has been spending the day on a 'Levelling Up' tour in a bid to get his premiership back on track. The stops include both the North of England and Scotland. For the latter part, the Prime Minister today visited Rosyth Dockyard where new Royal Navy warships are under construction.  Only Johnson cut a rather lonely figure — with no Scottish Conservatives coming out to meet him. While his long time ally Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, is simply away so unable to join, for others it appears to be more personal. The leader of the Scottish Conservatives Douglas Ross was absent today.

Katy Balls

Why do the Americans think war is imminent?

11 min listen

Over the weekend things between Ukraine and Russia seem to have gone from bad to worse. After a call between Biden and Putin failed to yield any meaningful results, the US warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could being as soon as Wednesday.Cindy Yu sits down with Katy Balls and James Forsyth to discuss whether war is truly just days away.