hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are rachel cunliffe, deputy online editor at the new statesman and katy balls, deputy political editor at the spectator. tomorrow's front pages, starting with... the metro leads on a picture of boris and carriejohnson, with the headline �*mum's the word' after the pm's wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl as mrjohnson continues to face a difficult week. the telegraph is reporting that the pm's standards adviser, lord geidt, is on the verge of quitting, after accusations borisjohnson misled him over the refurbishment of his downing street flat. the i newspaper talks of possible replacements for borisjohnson, if his position becomes vacant. it says supporters of rishi sunak are canvassing support and foreign secretary liz truss is �*wooing' backbenchers over dinner. sienna miller makes the front page of the guardian after settling her phone hacking claim. she says the sun's discovery that she was pregnant in 2005 forced her to make decisions "about my body that i live with every day". so let's begin... rachel, do you want to kick us off first with the metro? mums the word. a bit of good news for thejohnson house old. but in some way it's an extra thing to think about when he said quite a lot on his mind. weill. said quite a lot on his mind. well, ou could said quite a lot on his mind. well, you could say _ said quite a lot on his mind. well, you could say it's _ said quite a lot on his mind. well, you could say it's a _ said quite a lot on his mind. well, you could say it's a good - said quite a lot on his mind. well, you could say it's a good excuse i said quite a lot on his mind. -m you could say it's a good excuse to take some time away from the cameras and the press attention. you could say i got a new baby, that's why i've taken some time off is on maternity leave, is that something prime ministers do? i think it's interesting that the prime minister has had a child, his wife is going to labour and it's still not the top story. it's on the front pages but the metro here, weaves it in that the metro here, weaves it in that the new baby with the scandal upon scandal upon scandal thatjust the new baby with the scandal upon scandal upon scandal that just seems to be building over this week and indeed over the last couple of weeks. i think it's interesting that even a new baby hasn't knocked off the front pages. we've got a scandal over parties that didn't happen and then over more parties that also definitely didn't happen but are now being investigated. and into a flat refurbishment that we thought we dealt with and seeing the end of in february and it seems not. and of course covert restrictions. multiple fronts for the prime minister this evening. in you could see why he might want to take a step back, can't you? i might want to take a step back, can't you?— might want to take a step back, can't ou? ., �* ~ ., ., can't you? i don't know what you make of the _ can't you? i don't know what you make of the prospects _ can't you? i don't know what you make of the prospects of- can't you? i don't know what you make of the prospects of that, i make of the prospects of that, kc. the interesting thing about the story is yes, good news of the baby but as it says, it's a big butt, calls for him to quit growth how damaging do you think this current set of allegation is for the prime minister? i set of allegation is for the prime minister? ~ �* , �* , , minister? i think it's he's been in one of the _ minister? i think it's he's been in one of the most _ minister? i think it's he's been in one of the most difficult - minister? i think it's he's been in | one of the most difficult positions that c_ one of the most difficult positions that c became prime minister. a lot of time _ that c became prime minister. a lot of time you — that c became prime minister. a lot of time you get tory backbenchers complaining about number ten but it does feel_ complaining about number ten but it does feel significant right now because — does feel significant right now because he has several different problems— because he has several different problems with the other party problems, covert restrictions and that doesn't sit well with his own we _ that doesn't sit well with his own mps. there is a concern it's only going _ mps. there is a concern it's only going to — mps. there is a concern it's only going to want direction. that puts him at _ going to want direction. that puts him at odds with his own party. and then on_ him at odds with his own party. and then on top— him at odds with his own party. and then on top of that you have the number— then on top of that you have the number ten flat refurbishment and questions — number ten flat refurbishment and questions about boris johnson's behaviour. lots of these things come back ultimately a question of trust. and tory— back ultimately a question of trust. and tory mps are losing trust in their leader. it�*s and tory mps are losing trust in their leader.— their leader. it's an interesting time, their leader. it's an interesting time. the _ their leader. it's an interesting time, the curse _ their leader. it's an interesting time, the curse of— their leader. it's an interesting time, the curse of living - their leader. it's an interesting time, the curse of living in - time, the curse of living in interesting times. the telegraph says that lord geidt on brink of quitting of rpm flat. now people with note disrespects would have no clue who lord geidt is but if you went it would be quite serious for the prime minister. it wouldn't be the prime minister. it wouldn't be the first man to hold a job is got to quit torn borisjohnson's time. yes, and borisjohnson right now has a problem _ yes, and borisjohnson right now has a problem in — yes, and borisjohnson right now has a problem in terms of is he trustworthy, is he someone who lives up trustworthy, is he someone who lives up to— trustworthy, is he someone who lives up to the _ trustworthy, is he someone who lives up to the eyes standards you'd expect— up to the eyes standards you'd expect for edge prime minister? and lord geidt— expect for edge prime minister? and lord geidt is a standards adviser. and when— lord geidt is a standards adviser. and when you think of the number ten flat refurbishment, i think many in number— flat refurbishment, i think many in number ten hodes was out of the way and done _ number ten hodes was out of the way and done. you have a report from the eiectoroi— and done. you have a report from the electoral commission saying that big expensive _ electoral commission saying that big expensive makeover that they did of the flat— expensive makeover that they did of the flat actually was a breach of rules _ the flat actually was a breach of rules there's been a find to the tory— rules there's been a find to the tory party. _ rules there's been a find to the tory party. but more so i think the thing _ tory party. but more so i think the thing lingering on is not defined so much _ thing lingering on is not defined so much as— thing lingering on is not defined so much as the suggestion that boris johnson _ much as the suggestion that boris johnson didn't know about something that he _ johnson didn't know about something that he told his standard adviser he didnt— that he told his standard adviser he didn't know about. and this is the idea of— didn't know about. and this is the idea of money coming from and looking — idea of money coming from and looking after this. number ten are disputing — looking after this. number ten are disputing this. you get into the detail— disputing this. you get into the detail but— disputing this. you get into the detail but ultimately number ten denying — detail but ultimately number ten denying borisjohnson misled the standards adviser. labour calling for inquiry— standards adviser. labour calling for inquiry and the question is will the standards commissioner and the house _ the standards commissioner and the house of— the standards commissioner and the house of commons standards commissioner step in and launch an investigation of the refurbishment of the _ investigation of the refurbishment of the flat? that something many in number— of the flat? that something many in number ten of the flat? that something many in numberten dreaded. no of the flat? that something many in number ten dreaded. no decision was --oin number ten dreaded. no decision was going to _ number ten dreaded. no decision was going to he _ number ten dreaded. no decision was going to be made until the electoral commission at their report out. and everyone _ commission at their report out. and everyone was watching. we know boris johnson's _ everyone was watching. we know boris johnson's with the relationship with the commission is a god. go back to the commission is a god. go back to the oonn _ the commission is a god. go back to the oonn patterson wrote a couple weeks _ the oonn patterson wrote a couple weeks ago, it was all about shaking up weeks ago, it was all about shaking up the _ weeks ago, it was all about shaking up the system. some said maybe part of the _ up the system. some said maybe part of the reason prime minister want us to change _ of the reason prime minister want us to change the system is of the standards commissioner can't look into the _ standards commissioner can't look into the flat. the system has changed _ into the flat. the system has changed and there are pressures that they commissioner can now start investigating the flat which could be uncomfortable for the prime minister— be uncomfortable for the prime minister to say the least.- be uncomfortable for the prime minister to say the least. when you read the telegraph _ minister to say the least. when you read the telegraph story _ minister to say the least. when you read the telegraph story does - minister to say the least. when you read the telegraph story does not l read the telegraph story does not fit with the sense of what's going on with this particular story at the moment? i on with this particular story at the moment? ~ �* . on with this particular story at the moment? ~ �*, , ., moment? i think it's snowballing, that's the impression _ moment? i think it's snowballing, that's the impression that - moment? i think it's snowballing, that's the impression that you - moment? i think it's snowballing, | that's the impression that you got. if you cast your mind back to the owen patterson scandal it was a scandal about one backbench mp most people have never heard of. it was on the front pages for two weeks and the amount of damage that it did to the amount of damage that it did to the government both among republican backbench and peas were it to vote something they didn't believe in only to have the government you turn and really humiliate them. there was that. then there was the rail plan that. then there was the rail plan that wasn't, tax rise and there was other things. that wasn't, tax rise and there was otherthings. now that wasn't, tax rise and there was other things. now the downing street party story it's all part of the same thing. he also had the peppa pig speech, who can forget the peppa pig speech, who can forget the peppa pig speech? the minister rambling and looking very un— prime ministerial bear. i think slowly what you're starting to see is people getting the impression that may be borisjohnson is in such a winner after all. the conservative party has always know what he's like. they always know is details man and he changes his position and you get necessarily trust what he says will definitely happen. but he'll take that forward. the reason is prime minister and the reason why so many can cover is back at him is because he wins. he's a winner, he wins elections. if it starts to look like he might not, if it starts to look like he may be a liability and some mps who support him and who publicly back and might be in trouble in their own constituencies or in other ways then that looks a lot less appealing. and that's what i think the support starts to fall away. you got to pull out now showing at actually a majority of people in this country think he should resign over the christmas party issue. you've also got a by election coming up, the owen patterson by election where labour are now ahead in a very, based safe tory seat. if this builds to a point where it may be that by election is closer even if the conservatives lose it there i think you're going to see support for borisjohnson follow a very quickly. that to see support for boris johnson follow a very quickly. that might exlain follow a very quickly. that might exoiain why _ follow a very quickly. that might explain why according _ follow a very quickly. that might explain why according to - follow a very quickly. that might explain why according to the - follow a very quickly. that might explain why according to the i i follow a very quickly. that might l explain why according to the i and would be successors are already circling. i heard there's no such thing as a free lunch but it seems in the conservative lunch there's no such thing as free dinner.— in the conservative lunch there's no such thing as free dinner. there are two, are such thing as free dinner. there are two. are there? _ such thing as free dinner. there are two, are there? there _ such thing as free dinner. there are two, are there? there rishi - such thing as free dinner. there are two, are there? there rishi sunakl two, are there? there rishi sunak and liz trust courting conservative mps i'm sure they'll say they were doing that they were just garnering support. you get the foreign secretary liz trust being photographed in the pose of margaret thatcher on tanks with rishi sunak has a strong faction among the conservative right particularly those that think the tory party is spending so doing that too much and she stopped doing that. the fact that it's openly on the front page that it's openly on the front page that these are the leadership contenders, it's not good for prime minister when you have every single front page talking about their failings and you've even got some openly talking about future leadership contenders with him were long way from that yet but it's still a sign of how bad things are that the use of the stories that you're getting. and those individuals are happy to be portrayed in that way. what do you make of the _ portrayed in that way. what do you make of the names? _ portrayed in that way. what do you make of the names? everybody - portrayed in that way. what do you . make of the names? everybody knows who rishi sunak is for that with no disrespect to liz trust are you suppose a lot of day—to—day voters aren't really aware about who the foreign secretary is. they made a her face foreign secretary is. they made a herface and name but probably foreign secretary is. they made a her face and name but probably has it made as big as an impact is rishi sunak as the man doling out the cash during covid. i sunak as the man doling out the cash during covid— during covid. i think that's fair but i during covid. i think that's fair but i think— during covid. i think that's fair but | think it _ during covid. i think that's fair but i think it she's _ during covid. i think that's fair but i think it she's also - but i think it she's also a favourite _ but i think it she's also a favourite with the tory grassroots. as ed _ favourite with the tory grassroots. as ed liz _ favourite with the tory grassroots. as ed liz trust at the job. now foreign— as ed liz trust at the job. now foreign secretary sensor promotion, the reshuffle for a year. for different _ the reshuffle for a year. for different reasons they are both guite _ different reasons they are both quite competitive contenders if you end up— quite competitive contenders if you end up in— quite competitive contenders if you end up in a — quite competitive contenders if you end up in a leadership contest i think— end up in a leadership contest i think they— end up in a leadership contest i think they will be seen as the two to he _ think they will be seen as the two to he the — think they will be seen as the two to be the front runners was that i would _ to be the front runners was that i would hear— to be the front runners was that i would near a leadership contest was back ili— would near a leadership contest was back ill be — would near a leadership contest was back i'll be surprised if that would happen— back i'll be surprised if that would happen overnight. i think probably the better way to look at it is, the past four— the better way to look at it is, the past four weeks have been very difficult — past four weeks have been very difficult for the prime minister turning — difficult for the prime minister turning point and how is mpc him. because _ turning point and how is mpc him. because there was evidence to suggest — because there was evidence to suggest that there are lots of mps are no— suggest that there are lots of mps are no longer giving the prime minister— are no longer giving the prime minister the benefit of the doubt. he still— minister the benefit of the doubt. he still has a majority voting. but this could — he still has a majority voting. but this could be the start of a series of events— this could be the start of a series of events that means it is eventually going to lead to something like this was at the timescale could be anything. also, as we _ timescale could be anything. also, as we know— timescale could be anything. also, as we know in politics, you should never _ as we know in politics, you should never completely write someone out. also is _ never completely write someone out. also is some will say, a few months a-o also is some will say, a few months ago boris _ also is some will say, a few months ago borisjohnson would definitely have another ten years. lots predicting that. you can start to see how— predicting that. you can start to see how things could get tricky, could _ see how things could get tricky, could get— see how things could get tricky, could get more positioning from ministers — could get more positioning from ministers was up it's hard very difficult — ministers was up it's hard very difficult to _ ministers was up it's hard very difficult to know in the moment is until you — difficult to know in the moment is until you look back at it and you say that— until you look back at it and you say that was the moment. i was struck a conservative _ say that was the moment. i was struck a conservative mp - say that was the moment. i was struck a conservative mp being | say that was the moment. mas struck a conservative mp being asked the radio today saying if he had trust in his leader, saying yes, the site should speak for itself. you're starting to hear what you didn't hear or even two weeks ago at least publicly saying stuff like this. which may mean they're just disgruntled back individuals but the fact they're willing to even put their head above suggest there's something in the air, doesn't it? yeah. it is a transactional relationship. therefore i think were things— relationship. therefore i think were things to _ relationship. therefore i think were things to turn it would move a lot more _ things to turn it would move a lot more quickly if borisjohnson things to turn it would move a lot more quickly if boris johnson then actually— more quickly if boris johnson then actually somewhat like trees in may. so suddenly if north staffordshire went against the party, which on paper it shouldn't and most people would predict it wouldn't. if rachel said quite likely it's not likely but if it suddenly happened that would be the head got of many, if he can't hold a seat like this, is he still be winner in marginal seats that he was at the end of 2019? i that he was at the end of 2019? i think if north structure goes, interesting one of the things that could _ interesting one of the things that could have the cherries here is talking — could have the cherries here is talking about labour, lots... the vo could _ talking about labour, lots... the vo could split — talking about labour, lots... the vo could split. there no expectations for the _ could split. there no expectations for the jury— could split. there no expectations for the jury anyway. he wasn't over 20.000 _ for the jury anyway. he wasn't over 20,000 majority, reduced to 2,000, they still— 20,000 majority, reduced to 2,000, they still retain it. you described that as _ they still retain it. you described that as a — they still retain it. you described that as a tryout. i think it's important _ that as a tryout. i think it's important because it you can see boris _ important because it you can see borisjohnson turning up important because it you can see boris johnson turning up and saying i've boris johnson turning up and saying we still— boris johnson turning up and saying i've still got it. but were they to lose it _ i've still got it. but were they to lose it and — i've still got it. but were they to lose it and i think probably more likely to — lose it and i think probably more likely to liberal democrats i think at that— likely to liberal democrats i think at that point it is a crisis moment, still not _ at that point it is a crisis moment, still not the — at that point it is a crisis moment, still not the final moment, a series of events. — still not the final moment, a series of events, isn't it?— of events, isn't it? let's move on from the tories _ of events, isn't it? let's move on from the tories conservative - from the tories conservative problems to plan c which is also on the front of the independent. i didn't know we've got to plan c or there even was a plan c. can you explain what the i thinks it is? it's a secret, isn't it? so sseeee doesnt it's a secret, isn't it? so sseeee doesn't seem — it's a secret, isn't it? so sseeee doesn't seem far _ it's a secret, isn't it? so sseeee doesn't seem far (55 _ it's a secret, isn't it? so sseeee doesn't seem far (55 are - it's a secret, isn't it? so sseeee doesn't seem far (55 are says l it's a secret, isn't it? so sseeee| doesn't seem far (55 are says or doesn't seem far css are says or asked for secret. aha, doesn't seem far css are says or asked for secret.— doesn't seem far css are says or asked for secret. a couple of weeks a . o asked for secret. a couple of weeks auo before asked for secret. a couple of weeks ago before we _ asked for secret. a couple of weeks ago before we even _ asked for secret. a couple of weeks ago before we even heard - asked for secret. a couple of weeks ago before we even heard of - asked for secret. a couple of weeks ago before we even heard of on - ago before we even heard of on the ground there were health professionals calling for plan c before plan b had been introduced which is obviously mass, working from home guidance and vaccine passports for big events. the big thing that plan b does not involve and add some nhs professionals were like it too is anything about social distancing. and about how we should be interacting with each other particularly indoors. if it cast your mind back to last year we have vibrant lockdown, the rule of six, the fact you can have a drink at a pub without a scotch egg or you could have a drink but only outside in sub—zero temperatures tears or in london and council christmas without everyone has collective amnesia because it was horrible. all of that involves some degree of social distancing. so they have been people saying for weeks now that even the plan b measures are enough. and i was before the current variant. i think the idea that yes, there are health professionals and people in the department of health while looking at what happens if the measures that we have art enough and the boosters and the mass out enough, what we going to about christmas? of course they don't want to say anything about it. of course they don't want to say this is the plan partly because they will be some people call for but also to sorry to go back to the conservatives in the problem with the prime minister but another problem for the prime minister is a lot of his conservative backbenchers have no time for any covered restrictions at all and categorical or delete will not support more