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Coffee House Shots
Reform is right to fear the return of Boris
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Boris is (sort of) on manoeuvres, as Tim Shipman reports in this week’s magazine. There are signs that the former Conservative prime minister and one-time editor of this magazine could emerge from his frontline political hiatus to throw his weight behind the Tory cause. He has already been advising Kemi Badenoch and is said to be driven, in part, by a ‘hatred’ of Nigel Farage. Should Reform fear the return of Boris?
It has been a damaging month for Reform, following the Makerfield by-election, a plateau in the polls, rumbling questions about Farage’s £5 million gift and now suggestions that he did not declare his full property portfolio to parliament. Has Reform peaked?
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Tim Shipman and James Heale.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
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Iain Dale: Standing for Parliament was a 'humiliating experience'
25:22|In a busy week for British politics, LBC’s Iain Dale joins Tim Shipman and James Heale to discuss his new book, Have I Said Too Much? Iain speaks frankly about standing as a Conservative candidate at two general elections – and his fateful attempt to fight a third. James asks what makes a good political book, while Tim delves into the 2005 Conservative leadership election and Iain’s role in approving the infamous ‘It’s DD for me’ T-shirts.Iain also reflects on his friendship with the late Ann Widdecombe, and on how she came to be defined both by the strength of her convictions and her renowned sense of humour.Produced by Henry Lloyd.
Burnham's northern queens
14:20|Appointment into Andy Burnham's new cabinet went late into the evening: Wes Streeting to defence, plus the comeback queens – Louise Haigh, Lucy Powell and Angela Rayner all into senior posts in government. Noa Hoffman, James Heale and Tim Shipman discuss the new appointments and Andy Burnham's morning policy announcements.
Burnham, Healey, Miliband & Mahmood become the big four
10:20|Andy Burnham has continued to announce his new cabinet: John Healey as Chancellor, Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary and Shabana Mahmood remains in the Home Office. Now ten of Starmer's most trusted ministers have either been sacked or quit. What could come of Angela Rayner? And what could be the consequences of having some of the most powerful people in Labour on the backbenches? Natasha Feroze speaks to Noa Hoffman & James Heale.
Labour's new cabinet – who's in & who's out?
21:54|As Andy Burnham unveils his first Cabinet, join Tim Shipman and James Heale for a special live edition of Coffee House. Who’s in, who’s out? What do the appointments reveal about Burnham’s priorities, and might they hint at the likely direction of his premiership? Along with a panel of familiar faces and special guests, get the only analysis you’ll need as the political implications begin to unfold.
Why MPs must be whipped | Simon Hart
17:49|Andy Burnham has promised to turn the whips’ office into an ‘HR department’ – but the former chief whip Simon Hart warns that the approach is ‘naive’ and could leave the new prime minister unable to control his party.Hart explains why large majorities can be harder to manage than small ones, what Keir Starmer got wrong and why Burnham will begin making enemies as soon as he appoints his first cabinet. He also defends Kemi Badenoch’s crackdown on Tory dissenters, arguing that there must be consequences when private disagreement becomes public disloyalty.Plus: does Parliament take MPs’ safety seriously enough? Hart argues that security has improved significantly in recent years, and that the idea MPs are routinely left unprotected is a ‘myth’.Noa Hoffman speaks to Simon Hart, the former government chief whip and author of Ungovernable: The Political Diaries of a Chief Whip.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Happy Coronation Day!
13:59|Andy Burnham will today be crowned Labour leader, before entering Downing Street on Monday. His first speech is expected to argue that Labour has lost touch with the working-class communities it was founded to represent – and to promise a new era of devolution, economic intervention and northern political power.Meanwhile, the shape of Burnham’s government is beginning to emerge. Ed Miliband now appears unlikely to become chancellor, amid concerns that he would be too powerful and too closely associated with Labour’s north London intellectual set. What does his apparent rejection reveal about the party’s new dividing lines? And, as details emerge of a possible 'policy blitz' in the first days of Burnham’s premiership, could a wealth tax be on the cards?Noa Hoffman speaks to Tim Shipman and James Heale.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Reeves out, Shabana in?
14:44|Rachel Reeves has delivered what is likely to be her valedictory Mansion House speech, defending her record on growth, borrowing and the public finances. But with businesses counting the cost of higher employers’ National Insurance and Labour preparing for a change of government, what will her legacy be?Meanwhile, the race to become Andy Burnham’s chancellor appears to be shifting. Ed Miliband was once seen as the frontrunner, but some around Burnham fear that he would be too powerful – and too resistant to their plans for devolution and Treasury reform. Shabana Mahmood is now being tipped for the job, but would moving her from the Home Office prove a costly mistake?Noa Hoffman speaks to James Heale and Michael Simmons.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
Farewell, Sir Keir Starmer
15:53|Keir Starmer has delivered his final PMQs. It was a more cordial occasion compared to most weeks, with Kemi Badenoch exchanging jokes with the outgoing Prime Minister over their previous clashes amid a more sombre tone given the murder of Ann Widdecombe. But will this final speech go down in history? And how will Andy Burnham do things differently?Noa Hoffman speaks to James Heale and Tim Shipman.
Kemi wages war on the 'Tory wets'
15:47|Kemi Badenoch has declared war on the Tory wets, removing the whip from Gavin Barwell after Theresa May’s former chief of staff criticised her leadership and opposed the party’s positions on net zero and the ECHR. Her allies insist this is not a purge, but proof that the Conservatives have changed. Is Badenoch finally imposing discipline on her party – or narrowing a broad church that is already struggling to fill its pews?Meanwhile, Andy Burnham has addressed the Parliamentary Labour Party, promising to listen to MPs and preside over a broader, more inclusive Labour party. But the demands are already piling up, from immigration and rural policy to coastal communities. Can Burnham keep everyone happy once he enters Downing Street – and will those championing him turn against him when he finally has to say no?Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Noa Hoffman.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.