Show Notes
Katie Lam is one of the brightest lights of the Conservative party. Frequently tipped as a future leader, her interventions in the House on immigration and the grooming gangs scandal have won her a large following on social media – and, inevitably, led to constant links with a defection to Reform. On Quite right!, Katie sets out why she is a Conservative and why the Tory party is still the best vehicle for change. She gives her reaction to the defection of Rob Jenrick – who she backed as Tory leader in 2024 – and explains why they are not speaking any more. They also discuss the grooming gangs and why Westminster flinched from tackling this scandal, before considering immigration and the million-pound question of how many will actually have to leave. Finally, she addresses the defection rumours and tells Michael and Maddie why, despite having her respect, Nigel Farage is not fit to be Prime Minister. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.
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More from Quite right!
Napoleon was one of history’s greatest military commanders – but was his downfall ultimately of his own making? Michael Gove and Madeline Grant are joined by historian Andrew Roberts, Lord Roberts of Belgravia, to discuss his new book on Napoleon’s 26 marshals: the extraordinary men who helped build his empire, and whose rivalries, betrayals and personal ambitions contributed to its collapse. From Napoleon’s obsessive micromanagement to the disastrous invasion of Russia, they explore the genius and fatal flaws of the French emperor. Could Napoleon have won at Waterloo? And would victory really have changed the course of history? Recorded live in front of an audience. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.
France is burning. Over the weekend, students protesting about school conditions were joined by rural voters angry at fuel prices and a violent hard-left fringe. Michael and Maddie ask whether Britain should be worried. Do the same fault lines run through our own society, and is the Burnham government doing anything about them? They also discuss what Emmanuel Macron will be remembered for, and whether anyone can stop Marine Le Pen. Also: Sally Rooney’s books are leaving British shelves over her support for Palestine Action. Is this censorship, or performance art? Produced by Henry Lloyd. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.
Michael Gove is joined by historian Simon Schama to discuss the resurgence of antisemitism in Britain, why many British Jews increasingly feel unsafe, and what history can teach us about the war in Gaza. Simon argues that the language of genocide is being misapplied to Gaza and warns that historical ignorance, social media and political polarisation are fuelling a new strain of antisemitism on both left and right. They also discuss Holocaust education, Donald Trump and the politics of truth, the treatment of Jewish students in Britain, and what the rise of antisemitism tells us about the health of liberal democracy. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Henry Lloyd. 'Jew-Hatred: The Latest Edition' by Sir Simon Schama is out now: https://jewishquarterly.com/essay/2026/10/jew-hatred Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.
Michael Gove is joined by shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy, live at Conservative party conference in Birmingham, to discuss prisons, policing and the fight against Islamist extremism. Nick reflects on swapping life as a Downing Street adviser for the Commons and makes the case that prison works, before turning to the Tories’ plan for 50,000 new prison places. Britain, he argues, must ‘come down like a ton of bricks’ on extremists – but why did 14 years of Conservative government fail to draw that line? Plus: West Midlands Police’s ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, the Trafalgar Square iftar, and why Nick changed his mind on legalising cannabis. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Henry Lloyd. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.
Kemi Badenoch has opened Conservative party conference 2026 with statement on her political philosophy, and Michael and Maddie are in Birmingham to go through it. Michael is struck by how much of it disavows the government that he served in, from net zero to the Liz Truss mini-Budget, while Maddie welcomes a leader prepared to argue for incentives over optics. Will backing higher earners revive the 'nasty party' charge – and can Kemi see off Reform's pitch to highly productive workers?