The hole Johnson’s digs for himself gets bigger
The latest twists and turns in the ‘partygate’ drama this week as Conservative MPs threatened a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson. We explore the progress of Sue Gray’s inquiry into the partygate row, how Johnson will respond and whether he can survive. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Camilla Cavendish. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.Audio: Sky News-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters
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The row over Number 10 parties during the 2020 lockdown
This week we’re devoting the episode to the “partygate” row which has blown up in Westminster. After the prime minister revealed he attended a party, calls for his resignation grew in and outside of the Tory party. Can he survive? Does his fate lie in the hands of a senior civil servant? Will Rishi Sunak walk out of the cabinet? And where does the story go next?We’ll be unpacking all the news and drama with a top line-up of guests: political editor George Parker, chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and special guest Hannah White, deputy director of the Institute for Government think-tank.Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrityAudio: BBC-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters
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The cost of living crisis – a defining political theme of 2022
We look at the trouble ahead for Boris Johnson, starting with the crisis in the energy market. What can the government do to stop bills doubling in the coming months? Along with sleaze investigations, how much of a threat is this to the PM? Political editor George Parker will discuss, together with chief political correspondent Jim Pickard.And we look at the latest with the spread of Omicron over the festive season and whether the new variant is putting too much pressure on the health service. What will that mean for the NHS? Health editor Sarah Neville and health and science reporter Oliver Barnes will explain.Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters
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In conversation with Michael Cockerell
Michael Cockerell has made some of the best political documentaries about UK politics, covering prime ministers from Harold Macmillan to Boris Johnson. His new book, “Unmasking Our Leaders”, takes us into a career of political journalism and interviews regarding not just politicians and MPs and ministers but also the secret world of Whitehall.Cockerell looks back on the leaders he has met and what he learnt from them.Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity, Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/ukFollow @Seb Payne Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters
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In conversation with Andrew Mitchell
Andrew Mitchell went through many of the UK’s most established institutions, from public school to the army to the City of London and parliament, the Whips Office and the cabinet. His new book, “Beyond A Fringe”, refers not only to his distinctive hairstyle but also his insider’s view of Britain. We explore his journey into politics, life in government and where he sees Tory politics going next. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity, Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/ukFollow @Seb Payne Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters
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A remarkable by-election outcome
We analyse the remarkable by-election outcome. On top of the two biggest parliamentary defeats of his career as prime minister, we’ll look at just how much trouble Boris Johnson is in and whether he’s about to face a leadership challenge. Political editor George Parker and chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley discuss.And we look at the coronavirus situation following a huge rise in case numbers and whether the NHS is at risk of being overwhelmed this winter. Will plan B work or will plan C be required? What would that look like? And with the Bank of England raising rates for the first time in years, how will the economy cope? Health editor Sarah Neville and economics editor Chris Giles discuss.Audio: Sky News + BBC Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity, -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne @georgewparker -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters
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Boris Johnson encounters turbulent times
This week we analyse the new measures abruptly imposed in England in response to the alarming rise in Omicron coronavirus cases. What spooked the government? Science reporter Oliver Barnes and special guest science commentator Anjana Ahuja explain.Plus, the prime minister faces a Tory rebellion not only over the new Covid rules, but whether parties were held at No 10 last Christmas that broke lockdown rules, and who paid for the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat. Political editor George Parker and political correspondent Laura Hughes look at the scale of the trouble Johnson is in. Audio: Sky News Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity, -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne @georgewparker -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters
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Fears about the Omicron coronavirus variant
This week we dissect how much we know about the rising new variant and ask how worried we should be. Will we see much tighter restrictions imposed as Christmas approaches? Health editor Sarah Neville analyses the situation with science editor Clive Cookson.Plus, the Conservatives held the seat in the Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election but with a reduced majority as Labour and the Liberal Democrats collaborated in opposition – and there’s another by-election due in two weeks. Political editor George Parker and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe discuss the threat to the Tories. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity, -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne @georgewparker -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters
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Tragedy in the English Channel
Twenty-seven asylum seekers drowned trying to reach Britain, highlighting the growing crisis of small boats. How can the issue be resolved and what does it say about Anglo-French relations? Plus, we discuss another chaotic week for Boris Johnson and whether a new operation at No 10 would improve the prime minister’s standing. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with the FT’s Laura Hughes, Anna Gross, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Paul Goodman of Conservative Home. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity, -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters
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Is Boris Johnson on the right track?
This week we delve into the plan for reshaping the UK’s railways. Is £100bn of investment the biggest change in a generation, or will it prove to be a massive disappointment? Chief political correspondent Jim Pickard discusses this with a special guest: George Osborne, the former chancellor and chair of the Northern Powerhouse Project.Plus, it’s been a torrid week for Boris Johnson but does any of it matter? The Tories may be behind in the opinion polls but is the party hanging with him and for how long? Political editor George Parker analyses the situation with FT contributing editor Camilla Cavendish.Audio source: BBC / Sky / ITVProduced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne, @George Parker, @Jim Pickard-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters
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