The Times: Political Context

Question 1

Contextually, when was the set text published?

Answer 1

• This edition of the newspaper deals with the scandal surrounding allegations regarding parties and social gatherings held by the Conservative Party at a time when its leaders had enforced strict restrictions on the people of England that prohibited such gatherings.

Question 2

When was the story first reported?

Answer 2

• The story was first reported in November 2021 and alleged that during the lockdown Christmas of 2020, parties had been held at Downing Street, some of which had been attended by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
• This led to an inquiry being undertaken by senior civil servant Sue Gray, the results of which were published in January 2022

Question 3

What happened on the day this set text was published?

Answer 3

• On the date this edition was published, Boris Johnson was due to give a statement to the Commons about what had happened.
• It was reported in the newspaper that Sue Gray had revealed that the
  Metropolitan Police were investigating several possible breaches of lockdown by No 10 and Boris Johnson had initially refused calls for his resignation.

Question 4

What kind of political publication is The Times and how does this influence their content?

Answer 4

• As a right-wing publication and a quality broadsheet, The Times will select stories and present them in a way that reflects their political ideology and appeals to their right-leaning readership.
• The news agenda will reflect the needs of the readers for detailed, informative reporting.