To drill or not to drill, that is the question

To drill or not to drill, that is the question

Author: The Spectator March 25, 2026 Duration: 14:26

In the final Prime Minister's Questions before Easter recess, Kemi Badenoch pushed Keir Starmer to commit to new oil & gas drilling licences. The Conservatives spot an easy win here – cost of living concerns are rising as America's war with Iran continues. Plus, with a burgeoning welfare bill, the trade-offs are even trickier for Labour to resolve. Who should Labour target?


Tim Shipman and Michael Simmons join Patrick Gibbons to discuss. Come for Tim's impression of the Prime Minister, and stay for Michael's very strong response when asked if renewables are the answer.


Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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For a clear-eyed take on the day’s political developments, Coffee House Shots delivers concise, sharp discussion straight from the heart of Westminster. This daily podcast from The Spectator gathers the magazine’s most astute political observers-voices like Michael Gove, Tim Shipman, Isabel Hardman, and James Heale-around a virtual table for the kind of frank, insider conversation that happens away from the cameras. Each episode cuts through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle to examine the real forces shaping policy, elections, and power struggles. Listeners get more than just a recap of headlines; they’re offered analysis of the strategic calculations, the personal rivalries, and the underlying trends that the major bulletins often miss. The tone is informed and direct, reflecting the depth of experience within The Spectator’s team. It’s designed for anyone who wants to understand not just what is happening in British politics, but why it matters and what might happen next. Tune in for a regular dose of perspective that feels less like a formal briefing and more like overhearing a crucial chat in the corridors of influence. This podcast provides that essential context, making sense of the rapid flow of daily news with authority and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Coffee House Shots
Podcast Episodes
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 08/03/2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:15
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.Is the UK already too implicated in an illegal war? Or does Keir Starmer’s cautious indecision represent a dereliction of duty to help our greatest…
Why we left the Foreign Office | Ben Judah & Ameer Kotecha [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:21
Does Britain still have a coherent foreign policy? James Heale and Tim Shipman are joined by Ben Judah, former special adviser to David Lammy, and Ameer Kotecha, who recently resigned from the Foreign Office.Together the…
Green surge: could Labour lose London? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:42
Deputy political editor James Heale and deputy editor of The House magazine Sienna Rodgers join Patrick Gibbons to discuss the challenge the Greens pose to Labour in London. James's political column this week explains ho…
Iran: has Starmer alienated Britain's allies? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:08
As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, the British government continues to face questions about its response. Was the UK too slow to act, and if so – why? Tim Shipman reveals in the Spectator today that Keir Starm…
Labour humiliated by Chinese spy arrests [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:39
It was a bad tempered PMQs today – Kemi Badenoch attacked Starmer over his involvement, or lack thereof with the Iran conflict. And Starmer hit back at Badenoch over her questions. Not the type of unity you'd want to see…
Spring statement: everything you need to know [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:44
Rachel Reeves has today delivered her much anticipated spring statement, her opportunity to address the looming energy crisis, the uncertainty in the Middle East and the crashing Labour market … unfortunately, she did no…
Iran: is Starmer doomed to repeat Blair's mistake? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:59
The fallout from America's audacious attack on Iran continues, and there are a whole host of questions for Keir Starmer.The prime minister has been accused of being slow to react, having initially confirmed that ‘the Uni…
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 01/03/2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:21
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, as the US and Israel continue to strike targets across Iran. It is a seismic moment for the Middle East and the wor…
LIVE: The Spectator’s Alternative Covid Inquiry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:49
As the official Covid Inquiry comes to an end, the Spectator has convened a panel of our own experts to ask the questions that the Inquiry didn’t – or wouldn’t – answer. The Spectator’s commissioning editor Lara Brown is…
How Gorton & Denton changed British politics | with Luke Tryl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:35
In the end, it was not even that close. The Green party has stormed to victory in Gorton and Denton, winning their first ever parliamentary by-election by more than 4,000 votes. The result changes everything: the Lib Dem…