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After Conservative Party conference, have we hit peak Boris Johnson?

Johnson’s style-over-substance conference speech sparked applause for capitalism, but came under fire for being “economically illiterate”.

Boris Johnson’s speech to the Conservative Party conference was met with ovations from assembled party members – but has since been criticised for favouring style over substance, with polls indicating that voters perceived Keir Starmer’s address as the more competent.

In this episode of the New Statesman Podcast, Anoosh Chakelian, Ailbhe Rea and Stephen Bush reflect on the Prime Minister’s conference performance. They discuss the spontaneous applause for his argument that capitalism was responsible for the success of the vaccine programme and the many omissions from his speech. Ultimately, they argue, Tory members love Johnson – but not Johnsonism.

In part two, the New Statesman’s special correspondent Sophie McBain joins the podcast to discuss her disturbing and vital long read on the crisis of rape culture in British schools.

If you have a question for You Ask Us, email: podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk.

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Select and enter your email address The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
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