conservative party crisis

Lee Anderson has defected to the Reform Party, saying he’d done a lot of soul-searching on his political journey, and wants his country back.

He had of course already been kicked out of the Conservative Party for those ‘islamist’ slurs against Sadiq Khan, so when we say ‘defected’ we mean from being a party-less whip-less MP. Nevertheless, the move may chill his former colleagues - and the PM himself, who will wonder if the Lee he championed as his former deputy chair DOES in fact ‘speak for millions around the country’ and whether he will take voters with him.

Later, ’THAT PHOTO’. Why the news agencies wont touch it, and why the apology from the Princes of Wales did little to clarify. Do we owe our Royals privacy ? Or do they owe us transparency? The News Agents have a heated debate.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Rory Symon

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

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The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

A mystery is afoot: in a critical week for the Government's Rwanda policy - with a looming Commons vote in 24 hours - a YouGov poll has emerged which spells Tory election disaster for Rishi.

Look closely and you see that the poll started on December 12th - the same day the Rwanda policy last went through the Commons. Could it be the two are in fact related? In other words, are senior conservatives trying to spell out to Sunak that he must harden up his policy or face wipeout? Or even replacement?

And if so, how should Rishi respond?

We talk to former Levelling Up Minister Sir Simon Clarke, and Conservative Home's Editor Paul Goodman. And with Iowa temperatures down at -28 degrees celsius, will the big winner of the first Republican caucus be... the sofa?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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It’s been a bruising 24 hours for Rishi Sunak including a ministerial resignation, emergency prime ministerial press conference and a former home secretary now firmly on manoeuvres.

Amol and Nick discuss the Today programme’s exclusive interview with that former home secretary, Suella Braverman, and analyse how much trouble Sunak is now in. Will there be a leadership challenge?

As he’s shoring up his leadership the former prime minister Boris Johnson is trying to secure his legacy at the Covid Inquiry. What will history’s verdict on him be? Sir Simon Schama provides his perspective on how Johnson’s time in No10 will be remembered, long into the future.

Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Rufus Gray. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Studio direction from Jack Graysmark.