Coffee House Shots: why I quit government | Al Carns

Coffee House Shots: why I quit government | Al Carns

Author: The Spectator August 29, 2026 Duration: 14:47

Former veterans minister Al Carns joins James Heale to discuss the government’s handling of Northern Ireland legacy cases – and why the issue helped drive him to resign.

Writing in The Spectator this week, Al attacks the ‘two-track approach’ to legacy cases, which he says could cost taxpayers billions, and warns against allowing the history of the Troubles to be ‘rewritten through the courts’. He argues that Labour failed to listen properly to veterans before changing the law and sets out what more should be done to protect those who served in Northern Ireland.

What was it like fighting the issue from inside government? Did Keir Starmer understand the strength of feeling – and will Andy Burnham take a different approach?

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each day, Best of the Spectator offers a curated selection from the wider world of Spectator audio, bringing sharp conversation and thoughtful analysis directly to your headphones. This isn't a single-topic show but a daily dispatch from the front lines of ideas, where politics, culture, and society intersect. You'll hear from the magazine's writers and a host of intriguing guests as they debate current affairs, delve into the nuances of religion, explore the latest in literature, and even share opinions on food and drink. The pace is brisk and the perspectives are unapologetically considered, providing a substantive alternative to the fleeting noise of the news cycle. By compiling the most engaging discussions from their stable of podcasts, The Spectator ensures there's always a fresh, worthwhile listen. Tune in for the kind of witty, informed, and often provocative commentary that has defined the magazine for generations. This podcast serves as your daily audio digest of everything worth talking about, delivered with intellectual vigor and a dash of British flair. It’s a consistent source for those who prefer their commentary to be both timely and timeless.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Best of the Spectator
Podcast Episodes
Americano: the truth about Xi & Trump’s summit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:10
In this episode of Americano, Freddie Gray speaks with Dr. Edward Howell, an Oxford University lecturer in international relations, about the high-stakes summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, examining Beijing’s st…
The Edition: should Burnham call a snap general election? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:05
For this week’s Edition, William Moore is joined by the Spectator’s deputy editor Freddy Gray, commissioning editor Lara Brown and deputy political editor James Heale.This week: will Andy Burnham call an early general el…
The Book Club: John Sellars – Stoicism Is Not What You Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:12
In this week’s Book Club podcast, Sam Leith is joined by philosopher John Sellars to discuss his new book, Stoicism Is Not What You Think.Sellars explores the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and challenges some of its mos…
Quite right!: the battle over Diana’s legacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:34
On this week’s episode of Quite right!: Earl Spencer's new memoir, Swan Song, has drawn a rare direct response from Buckingham Palace. Michael and Maddie weigh up the book's most salacious charges against the King, and a…
Reality Check: the AI apocalypse is just good marketing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:20
Some whistleblowers from the AI industry claim there is a more than 10% chance that artificial intelligence could wipe out humanity within a few years. A group of mostly Labour MPs has written to Andy Burnham calling for…
Americano: Steve Bannon on the AI extinction threat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:14
is episode of Americano, Freddy Gray speaks with Steve Bannon – former White House chief strategist for Donald Trump - about the ideological convergence between national populists and progressive Leftists as they confron…