Challenges of Political Leadership and Empathy for Rivals

In this special edition of Coffee House Shots Katy Balls speaks to Lord Liam Booth-Smith, Rishi Sunak’s former chief of staff.

In his first interview since leaving government: Liam takes us inside Rishi’s No. 10 and the characters that made it tick; sets the record straight on the infamous Sunak–Johnson arm wrestle to decide who would run for leader after Truss; gives his take on when would have been the optimal time to have a general election; offers a different version of events on Rishi’s ‘doomed’ campaign; and provides advice to a Labour government struggling in government.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.