Political Currency Christmas EMQs: Who is the ultimate political traitor?
19 snips
Dec 29, 2025 Join Ed and George as they dive into the holiday spirit with festive banter and a dash of debate on political traitors, naming Michael Gove as the all-time favorite. They chat about quirky Christmas gifts and share their top book recommendations. The conversation takes a serious turn as they reflect on the rise of antisemitism, navigating the tricky terrain of criticism. Plus, hear their fond memories from iconic Westminster pubs and get Ed's kitchen secrets for a perfect Christmas feast.
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Oxford Networks That Shaped Careers
- Ed Balls and George Osborne reminisce about Oxford clubs and missed invitations that shaped early political networks.
- Ed recalls Labour and Left Caucus meetings while George describes running a discussion group called the Canning Club.
Traitory And Loyalty As Political Currency
- Claudia Winkleman's question frames fidelity and betrayal as ongoing political currencies worth judging each year and historically.
- The hosts use the prompt to explore loyalty as performance and career strategy in modern politics.
Do The Job Even If It’s Unwanted
- Appointments can be tests of character: knuckle down and do the job even if it's not what you wanted.
- Ed praises loyalty by highlighting Johnny Reynolds's quiet diligence after an unexpected reshuffle.