Boris Johnson MP

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the politician and journalist Boris Johnson. He is one of the most popular and unpredictable MPs on the Conservative party benches and, under his editorship, the weekly magazine The Spectator sells more copies than ever before.

After Eton and Oxford he made his name as a journalist working for the Daily Telegraph in Brussels. His incisive reports about the future of Europe caused a furore at home and abroad - he claims one of his articles changed the course of European history - and, on returning to London, he hoovered up a number of awards, including columnist of the year and political commentator of the year. But it has not always been plain sailing. His critics say he cannot answer to two masters - and he must choose between politics and journalism - Boris doesn't necessarily agree!

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Choices

1.

The Beatles

Here Comes the Sun

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2.

Booker T. & The MG’s

Soul Limbo (Sig. Tune For Test Match Special)

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3.

Johann Sebastian Bach

St Matthew Passion - Ich will hier bei dir stehen

Choir: Radio Choir Leipzig Orchestra: The Dresden State Orchestra and Choir Conductor: Peter Schreier

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4.

The Rolling Stones

Start Me Up

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5.

Castaway's favourite

Johannes Brahms

Variations on the St Antoni Chorale - finale

Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

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6.

Van Morrison

Brown Eyed Girl

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7.

Clash

Pressure Drop

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8.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 5 in C minor - 4th movement

Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

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Book

Homer - an Indian paper edition (to translate) by

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Luxury item

Large pot of French mustard

Others who chose a similar luxury