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In The News: Why did Boris Johnson sack some of his closest allies?

Allies were either dumped or demoted as PM sought ways to inject cabinet with fresh ideas

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reshuffled his cabinet last week. Photograph: EPA
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reshuffled his cabinet last week. Photograph: EPA
Mon Sept 20 2021 - 09:23

Last week Boris Johnston reshuffled his cabinet with more brutality that most Westminster watchers had expected.

Friends and political allies were either dumped or demoted as the UK prime minister sought ways to inject his cabinet with fresh ideas and fresh faces after a summer of controversy.

But why now? Is Johnson already planning for the next general election, and is the reshuffle a sign of weakness or strength?

We talk to London editor Denis Staunton about a chaotic period in UK politics.

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In the News is presented by reporters Sorcha Pollak and Conor Pope.

You can listen to the podcast here:

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