Any Questions? and Any Answers? AQ: Hilary Benn MP, Declan Kearney MLA, Peter Martin MLA, Allison Morris
Nov 21, 2025
In this lively discussion, Hilary Benn MP, an experienced Labour politician, debates the implications of Covid-19 decision-making failures. Declan Kearney MLA shares Sinn Féin's perspective on governance, while Peter Martin MLA defends unionist viewpoints on power sharing. Journalist Allison Morris highlights the pandemic's social impact on vulnerable communities. The panel explores contentious topics like immigration, Ukraine's sovereignty, and the future of power-sharing in Northern Ireland, culminating in a spirited exchange of contrasting political visions.
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Systemic Failures In Covid Response
- Baroness Hallett's Covid inquiry found all four UK governments acted too slowly and lacked urgency in decision-making.
- Declan Kearney stressed the key failure was not following scientific advice consistently during the pandemic.
Special Adviser Recalls Rule-Breaking Anger
- Peter Martin recalled being a special adviser and angry at politicians flouting their own Covid rules like the Bobby Storey funeral.
- He described the hardship of children and vulnerable people losing school support during lockdowns.
Lockdown's Unequal Harms
- Alison Morris highlighted how united messaging fractured early, eroding public confidence in restrictions.
- She emphasised lockdowns magnified domestic abuse, poverty and disrupted vulnerable children's education.