Political Currency EMQs: Lasagna plots and Shakespearean AI bots
19 snips
Sep 15, 2025 Discover the frantic truth about the first 24 hours of a new government role, from chaotic briefings to the drivers' secret insights. Dive into the infamous 'Lasagna-gate' incident, sparking a wild conspiracy theory around a dinner party. Listen as AI takes on the challenge of writing a Shakespearean sonnet for political speeches, revealing its creative limits. The hosts also share tips on transitioning to podcasting, reflecting on the humorous chaos of political life and the evolving role of technology in communication.
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Reshuffles Disrupt Departments Quickly
- Reshuffles within government are far more destabilising than transitions from opposition.
- Civil servants often learn about reshuffles only on the morning they happen, so briefing materials can be limited.
Prioritise First-Day Calls
- Call key stakeholders on your first day in a new ministerial role to build lasting relationships.
- Those first calls matter because people remember who rang them first and it shapes future cooperation.
The 'Lasagna Plot' Dinner
- George invited both his Shadow Treasury and Yvette Cooper's Shadow Home teams to a big weekday dinner and cooked multiple lasagnas for dietary needs.
- The Mail on Sunday spun the gathering into a supposed 'lasagna plot' to unseat Ed Miliband, which was untrue.
