Coffee House Shots

John Healey has resigned as Defence Secretary. In a blistering letter to the Prime Minister, he said: ‘You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.’
This comes after Keir Starmer failed even to secure the derisory sum of money he had demanded from the Treasury and the cabinet to modernise Britain’s forces following the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review. The timing is equally devastating, as Starmer is heading to the G7 summit on Monday, where he will have to face Donald Trump.
So what does this mean for Starmer’s premiership? Will more resignations follow – or will the missiles turn on the Treasury and Rachel Reeves’s reluctance to cough up? And who will take on the poisoned chalice of the defence brief now?
Noa Hoffman speaks to Tim Shipman and James Heale.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
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For the second week in a row, PMQs comes in light of a disturbing instance of violent crime. Last week, ministers were recoiling at the shocking bodycam footage from Henry Novak’s murder, and this week comes in the context of a knife attack by a Sudanese asylum seeker in Belfast.
Kemi Badenoch was impressive again, not just in condemning the Belfast violence but also pressing the PM on the much-delayed defence investment plan. She seems to have completed a remarkable turnaround in her fortunes: she’s polling well, looks much more assured and is taking the fight to Labour and Reform. As she starts to win over the party and the commentariat, can she win over the country?
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
To hear Tim’s interview with Kemi, go to spectator.com/kemi
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Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was interviewed last night by The Spectator‘s Political Editor, Tim Shipman, in front of a live audience at Church House in Westminster. They discuss her shadow cabinet, her plan to revive the Tories, and how she thinks we can get the country growing.

To watch and listen to the full conversation you’ll need to be a spectator subscriber. Get three months for three pounds and access the full stream at spectator.com/kemi – your subscription isn’t just to this conversation: it also includes full access to The Spectator website and app, weekly delivery of the magazine, all our
livestreams, daily newsletters and podcasts. We hope you enjoy.

To buy tickets to the rest of this event series, Tim Shipman Meets the Party Leaders, go to spectator.com/events

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With the Makerfield by-election next week, Keir Starmer is in the business of legacy-building. In a speech this morning to coincide with London Tech Week, the Prime Minister announced a clampdown on social media usage among under-18s, and in particular on the circulation of naked images on smartphones and other devices among under-18s.
The intention is to shift emphasis on to tech companies such as Apple and Google, requiring them to prevent children from seeing sexually explicit images on their phones and other devices. But, in true Starmer fashion, no new law was announced – only a deadline for big tech to change its ways, or else he will do … something.
This is being read throughout Westminster as an attempt at legacy-building. So how will Keir Starmer’s premiership be remembered?
James Heale and Tim Shipman discuss.
Produced by Megan McElroy.
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Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.

This week, politicians debate the appropriate response to the shocking murder of Henry Nowak, and whether 'two-tier policing' is a problem in the UK.

Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.
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