Political Fix

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

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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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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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The opposition Labour party was consumed by infighting this week after Sir Keir Starmer botched a shadow cabinet reshuffle, leading to questions about whether he can survive as leader. Did Starmer overreact and is Labour facing a civil war? Plus, we discuss this year's Queen's Speech and whether the Johnson government's legislative agenda is bold or packed with filler. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Robert Shrimsley and Sarah Neville. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Review clips: UK news pool, BBC, Parliament TV

Further reading:

-Labour’s problem is that Keir Starmer is no Tony Blair

-Reeves promotion underlines Labour shift to centre ground under Starmer

-Starmer must listen to voters, not Labour factions

-Starmer warned of prospect of leadership challenge over summer

-Queen’s Speech: The key bills in Johnson’s post-Covid agenda

-Putting flesh on the bones of the levelling up agenda

-Boris Johnson’s levelling-up agenda takes toll on southern Tories

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