As figures now show there are 2.8 million people claiming out-of-work benefits, Rishi Sunak gave a speech looking at welfare reform. But with more and more people off work for mental health related issues, could the Tories’ focus backfire if the public think they’re trivialising mental health? Also on the podcast, a look ahead to the mayoral elections. 



James Heale discusses with Isabel Hardman and Luke Tryl, UK Director at More in Common.  



Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

Will the Tories' mental health focus backfire?

Instant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Fraser Nelson, Isabel Hardman, Katy Balls, James Heale and many others.

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There have been two recent defections from the Conservatives to Labour. There's lots of chatter in parliament about a potential third defector. In this Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots, Katy Balls and James Heale hear from Gyles Brandreth, former MP and broadcaster. He takes us back to what it was like working in the whips' office in the 1990s, and ask if he thinks there are more defections to come. 



You can read Gyles' diary in The Spectator here: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-day-keir-starmer-cried-on-me-about-his-childhood/ 



Produced by Megan McElroy.

The whips' office and their woes

Ronald Reagan famously asked voters: 'are you better off than you were four years ago?' At the next election, the Tories face a public thinking over the last fourteen years. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt gave a speech today defending the UK's record tax levels and attacking Labour's economic plans. But who should we trust more on tax?



Fraser Nelson and James Heale join Katy Balls to discuss.



Produced by Megan McElroy and Patrick Gibbons.

Can Hunt answer the Reagan question?

Keir Starmer has unveiled his six election pledges. In a nod to Tony Blair's 1997 election card, the Labour leader has announced key promises to the public should they win the election. How are the commitments being received, and what will the impact of his speech be? 



James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Stephen Bush, Associate Editor at the Financial Times. 

Has Starmer scaled down his pledges?

There were no defections today at Prime Minister’s Questions, which probably put Keir Starmer in a slightly stronger position, ironically, given the fuss about Natalie Elphicke crossing the floor last week. The focus was on justice and both the PM and Starmer came up with some new attack lines, but the delivery was – in parts – decidedly lacking. Who came out on top? 



Cindy Yu speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Heale. 



Produced by Cindy Yu and Oscar Edmondson. 

Starmer fluffs his lines at PMQs

Lucy Dunn speaks to Katy Balls and former Blair advisor John McTernan about the one vote that won plans to exclude MPs from parliament arrested on suspicion of serious sexual offence. After Keir Starmer faced criticism for allowing her into the party, could some of her greatest critics now see the perks? Also is Labour about the water down the plans for workers' rights?

Will the Tories' mental health focus backfire?

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