logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2022
25m 3s

How Partying Could Be Boris Johnson’s Un...

The New York Times
About this episode

When allegations first emerged in November about parties held at 10 Downing Street, the residence and offices of the British prime minister, during a strict Covid lockdown, Prime Minister Boris Johnson waved them away. 

Yet in the weeks since, the scandal has only grown, with public outrage building as more instances and details of lockdown parties at Downing Street have emerged.

Some voters in Britain have long been willing to overlook the foibles of Mr. Johnson’s character, but this is a scandal that poses an existential threat to his leadership. 

Guest: Mark Landler, the London bureau chief for The New York Times.

Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, subscribe to our newsletter

Background reading: 

  • Boris Johnson’s future is in doubt after two humiliating apologies about parties while the country was under Covid restrictions. Here’s a guide to how he could be forced out, or fight on.
  • Mr. Johnson, long famed for brushing off accusations of distortion or outright lying that seemed to only bolster his image as an incorrigible scamp, suddenly faces potential political death over the very charge to which he had seemed immune.

For more information on today’s episode, visit 

nytimes.com/thedaily

. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Up next
Yesterday
‘Modern Love’: Bridget Everett Says A Best Friend Can Be Your Greatest Love
Stories of romantic love are everywhere, but the actor, singer and comedian Bridget Everett says that friendships deserve our attention, too. Onscreen and in everyday life.Last Fall, Everett appeared on Modern Love to talk about her HBO Original series “Somebody Somewhere,” which ... Show More
38m 49s
Aug 23
'The Interview': Jen Hatmaker's Life Exploded in Middle Age. So She Built a Better One.
The former evangelical star on waking up halfway through her life. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 
45m 43s
Aug 22
California Strikes Back at Texas’ Power Grab
Texas is about to gerrymander five new house seats, and California is ready to retaliate. Gov. Gavin Newsom says that his state will also redraw its congressional maps to create five new districts, effectively fighting fire with fire.Laurel Rosenhall, who covers California’s gove ... Show More
28m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2022
Boris Johnson’s shambolic prime ministership
Boris Johnson has resigned as British prime minister after a series of scandals meant his party could no longer support him.       Latika Bourke, the Sydney Morning Herald’s UK correspondent, tells us Johnson will be remembered most for his role in Britain leaving the European Un ... Show More
19m 39s
Apr 2022
Will ‘Partygate’ end Boris Johnson’s term as prime minister?
Denials, investigations, apologies, and fines have all been part of the ‘Partygate’ scandal in the UK after allegations that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and members of his staff had alcohol-fuelled parties at his offices and residence while COVID-19 lockdown rules were in force. ... Show More
21m 3s
Feb 2022
The Meaning of Boris Johnson
David, Helen and Chris Brooke have one more go at making sense of the tangled web that is British politics. Can Johnson really survive, and even if he does, can his brand ever recover? Is this a scandal, is it a crisis, or is it something else entirely? Does history offer any gui ... Show More
52m 56s
Jul 2022
Boris Johnson on the brink
After a bruising day in parliament for the prime minister – which saw more resignations than ever before in British political history, including the chancellor and health secretary – Boris Johnson insists to cabinet rebels he won’t quit. So, what happened behind the scenes during ... Show More
33m 38s