Stay ConnectedThe Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday.
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In what should have been a big final week of term at Westminster, Boris Johnson had to abandon plans for a big announcement on social care reform. Instead, ministers tried to come up with a series of exemptions to the Covid isolation rules. Plus, how a new front has opened in the ongoing war of attrition with the EU over the Northern Ireland protocol.
Presented by George Parker, with Sarah Neville, Peter Foster, Jim Pickard and Lord Gavin Barwell. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner.
- Archive: BBC
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The UK is pressing ahead with the easing of all lockdown measures on July 19, despite coronavirus infections hitting 50,000 a day. How has Downing Street got itself into a mess over masks? Plus we discuss Boris Johnson’s major speech on ‘levelling up’ and ask whether anyone is wiser about what it’s all about. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Robert Shrimsley, Peter Foster and Jim Pickard. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner.
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Boris Johnson has announced that all remaining lockdown restrictions will end on July 19 in England, but is he acting too hastily with Covid-19 cases rising so quickly? Plus, we debate whether a new form of English patriotism is emerging through the Euro 2020 matches and what this means for Conservative culture warriors.
Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Clive Cookson, Robert Shrimsley and Gideon Rachman. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner.
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Sir Keir Starmer was given a reprieve after Labour clung on at the Batley and Spen by-election this week. What does it mean for his leadership? And was Matt Hancock's breaking of lockdown rules to blame for the Conservative party's failure to win? Plus, we discuss what kind of health secretary Sajid Javid might be and how his return to the cabinet will affect the coronavirus and social care debate. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jim Pickard, Robert Shrimsley and Sarah Neville. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Sean McGarrity.
Review clips: BBC
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The UK eased travel to several holiday destinations this week, but will they welcome British tourists? And when are vaccination passports being introduced? Plus we reflect on five years since the Brexit referendum and how it has reshaped the country, its economy and the political parties. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Anand Menon. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Sean McGarrity.
Review clips: News pool, BBC, Sky News
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Boris Johnson reluctantly delayed the easing of England’s lockdown for another month due to the spread of the Delta strain of coronavirus. Will the July 19 easing go ahead? Plus, we discuss the Liberal Democrats’ surprise victory in the Chesham and Amersham by-election and what it means for the government’s planning reforms. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Sarah Neville, Robert Shrimsley and Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner.
Review clips: News pool
Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk
Follow @Seb Payne, @Robert Shrimsley, @Jasmine Cameron Chileshe, @Jim Pickard and @Sarah Neville
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The leaders of the west descended on Carbis Bay, along with podcasters, for this year's G7 summit. Boris Johnson and Joe Biden appeared to develop a bromance - despite their split on Northern Ireland. We discuss the key themes of the summit and whether Brexit overshadowed the prime minister's efforts to forward his Global Britain agenda. Plus we look at why the June 21 easing of lockdown restrictions is unlikely to go ahead. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and Peter Foster. Produced by Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Review clips: News pool, BBC, European Union.
Further reading:
EU leaders to pressure Boris Johnson over Northern Ireland at G7
Johnson and Biden seek to smooth over Northern Ireland differences
G7 to pledge 1bn Covid vaccine doses for poorer countries
UK’s lockdown easing should be slowed
Why ‘sausage wars’ illustrate how both sides are now on a collision course over Northern Ireland
How serious is Delta Covid variant for UK and do vaccines stop it?
Fragile US-led G7 tax compromise threatened by search for exemptions
Realism from all sides is needed over Northern Ireland
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The hopes of international travel this summer were dashed as Portugal was taken off the UK's green list for travel amid a rise in cases of the Delta variant of coronavirus. But will the June 21 easing still go ahead? Plus, we discuss the battle between education secretary Gavin Williamson and chancellor Rishi Sunak over funding for post-lockdown schooling and whether the Treasury will eventually put forward more cash. Presented by Sebastian Payne with Sarah Neville, Robert Shrimsley, Chris Giles and Bethan Staton. produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Review clips: Sky News, BBC News, BBC Today, Channel 4.
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Boris Johnson's former chief adviser made an epic seven-hour appearance at a parliamentary hearing this week, claiming the prime minister was unfit for the job and the health secretary a liar. We explore his bombastic claims and the political impact for Johnson. Plus, we examine the impact of the cuts to foreign aid on the ground and whether the budget will rise again. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and special guest Andrew Mitchell MP. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Sean McGarrity. Review clips: Parliament TV
Further reading:
Cummings exposes dangers of a lightweight leader and a dysfunctional system
Hancock admits some patients with Covid were moved into care homes
Relations between Johnson and cabinet secretary fray over Cummings ties
Cummings’ testimony reveals fatal flaws of the British state
Cummings launches stinging attack on Johnson and handling of Covid crisis
Lessons of Dominic Cummings’ testimony are still to be learnt
UK aid cuts ‘directly hamper’ fight against HIV, warn politicians and Aids groups
Cutting aid undermines the vision of Global Britain
Africa feels the brunt of UK foreign aid cuts
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The UK's easing out of lockdown was put under threat by a new strain of coronavirus that originated in India. Can the race between inoculations and infections be won? Will the June 21 easing go ahead? Plus we discuss the biggest shake-up in British rail travel for 25 years and whether passengers will benefit from the new era of Great British Railways. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Clive Cookson, Jim Pickard and special guest Christian Wolmar. Produced by Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Sean McGarrity. Review clips: Downing Street, Parliament TV, Sky News.
Further reading
-We will be lost if we panic at every Covid mutation
-UK races to tackle coronavirus variant through rapid vaccination
-English town of Bolton pins hopes on jabs to avoid another lockdown
-UK’s new model railway is likely to serve the public poorly
-A rational new model for Britain’s railways
-UK rail looks to private sector in biggest shake-up since 1990s
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