Daily Politics from the New Statesman

Alleged blackmail: the dark side of Boris Johnson’s survival

The senior Conservative MP William Wragg has accused government ministers of intimidating and attempting to blackmail colleagues who they suspect oppose the Prime Minister, adding that the incidents should be reported to the police. While Christian Wakeford’s defection appears to have <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/conservatives/2022/01/why-tory-mps-have-given-boris-johnson-a-stay-of-execution" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">united Conservative MPs</a> to help Boris Johnson survive another week, the PM is not in the clear yet. Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea discuss the extraordinary allegations and the cost of <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/conservatives/2022/01/could-boris-johnson-yet-survive-as-prime-minister" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">saving your own skin</a>. Then in You Ask Us, a listener asks if <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/conservatives/2022/01/boris-johnson-hangs-on-because-there-is-no-compelling-leader-in-waiting" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a change in Conservative leadership</a> would be a disaster for Labour. If you have a question for You Ask Us, email <a href="mailto:podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk</a>. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ <a href="www.newstatesman.com/xmaspod25" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2</a> LISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download the New Statesman app</a> MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ask a question</a> – we answer them every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Helping you make sense of politics – every weekday. Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On Daily Politics, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. -- START HERE:▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/300fc1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2cce68" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Do billionaires really benefit the UK?</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2f536d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?</a> -- LISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app</a> to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ask a question</a> - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> in your inbox every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday -- JOIN US:⭐️ Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25 -- Hosts:Anoosh ChakelianOli Dugmore Regular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefWill Lloyd, Deputy editorAndrew Marr, Political editorGeorge Eaton, Senior editor, politicsHannah Barnes, Associate editorRachel Cunliffe, Associate political editorWill Dunn, Business editorMegan Gibson, Foreign editorKatie Stallard, Global affairs editorTanjil Rashid, Culture editorKate Mossman, Senior writer Production team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesVideo producer: Rob Le MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.