Coffee House Shots

Keir Starmer is in Ukraine today, on his first visit to Kyiv since becoming Prime Minister. And he came bearing gifts: a 100-year partnership agreement between the UK and Ukraine, covering nine ‘pillars’ from culture to science. It is hoped that the new pact will define the relationship between the two countries well beyond the current conflict with Russia. This is all in the context of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, with his administration agitating for a peace deal. Is peace on the horizon? Also on the podcast, Kemi Badenoch's big speech – in which she criticised the decisions made by successive Tory prime ministers – was overshadowed by the announcement that there will be  government-backed inquiries into grooming gangs. Is this the right call?  Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Mark Galeotti, head of Mayak Intelligence and honorary professor at UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

With rumours swirling around Westminster and after Keir Starmer’s less than convincing defence of his Chancellor earlier in the week, Rachel Reeves has found some brief respite. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed that inflation dipped to 2.5 per cent in the 12 months to December, down from 2.6 per cent the month before. It’s welcome news for a Chancellor who is under pressure, so is she safe? Elsewhere, there is a fresh row emerging concerning Gerry Adams. The government is proposing to repeal legislation, enacted in 2023, that prevents Gerry Adams and 400 others from claiming ‘compensation’ for having been detained in the 1970s for suspected involvement in terrorism. Keir Starmer has said that he and his ministers will look at ‘every conceivable way’ to block Gerry Adams from receiving government money, but will they end up paying out? And who is Lord Hermer KC, and why is he at the centre of all of this? Katy Balls speaks to Michael Gove and Kate Andrews. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

New voting intention polling today puts Reform neck and neck with Labour. The YouGov/Times poll reveals that support for Starmer’s army has plummeted nine points, with just over a quarter of Brits backing the government – while Nigel Farage’s Reform party has seen its support soar by 10 points. Kemi Badenoch’s Tories have lost two points, while the canvassing of 2,279 adults – carried out between 12–13 January – shows the Lib Dems and the Greens both gained one. Perhaps the most damning news, however, is that only half of those who backed Labour in the 2024 election would vote for them next time. Where is Reform drawing these votes from? Is this polling worse for Labour, or the Tories? Also, earlier today Tulip Siddiq resigned from her in the Treasury after allegations she lived in homes tied to her aunt’s ousted regime in Bangladesh. Was this inevitable?  Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Scarlett Maguire, director at JL Partners. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Former Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced she is separating from her husband Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the SNP. The announcement comes as the police probe into the SNP’s funds and finances remains ongoing, with Sturgeon and ex-SNP treasurer Colin Beattie under investigation while Murrell was charged with embezzlement in April 2024.  Katy Balls is joined by The Spectator’s editor Michael Gove, and data editor Michael Simmons, to discuss the separation, why the investigation is still ongoing four years later, and what chances Scottish Labour or Reform have against the SNP in 2025.