Political Currency EMQs: What’s your snakiest political move?
16 snips
Jan 12, 2026 Discover the cunning moves that define political careers as two former ministers reflect on their snakiest decisions. They dive into a thought-provoking 'What If' scenario about John Smith's influence on British politics. The conversation turns to the public perception of AI, with insights on how it might reshape productivity and democracy. Finally, they share nostalgic moments from the Taylor Swift Eras Tour, blending politics with personal stories and humor. Tune in for a mix of intrigue, history, and catchy tunes!
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Appearances Matter More Than Secrets
- Ed Balls argued politicians can show private 'snaky' moves but must avoid being seen that way publicly.
- He recommended authenticity, clarity of purpose and team-building over visible snakiness.
Leadership Contest Pressure Move
- George Osborne recounted persuading an MP to switch allegiance during the 2005 Tory leadership contest by threatening exposure.
- The tactic forced the MP to publicly join David Cameron's campaign under pressure.
Seat-Shifting Peerage Story
- Ed Balls described engineering a peerage to vacate a seat so another candidate could stand.
- He framed such manoeuvres as routine but declined to label them 'snaky'.