COVID: They think it’s all over

The Government’s rationale for unlocking aggressively is that the vaccine has broken the link between COVID infections and deaths. Is it a gamble, a sensible move or just a victory for the Cabinet’s Economic hawks? We ask special guest John Rentoul, chief political commentator of the Independent. Plus, how much substance is there to the Government’s ‘Green Recovery’ programme? And with England in the Euro 2020 final, does sporting success really give Governments a bounce?  

• “The ‘irreversible’ aspect doesn’t matter. People are quite used to Boris Johnson reversing on anything and everything.” – John Rentoul
• “We’re now experiencing a major outbreak of infections. The question is how is the Government going to ride the exit wave?” – Tom Sasse 
• “Footballers used to be of interest only for their wives and girlfriends. Now they’re sympathetic tribunes of the people. It’s extraordinary.” – John Rentoul

Presented by Bronwen Maddox with Alex Thomas, Tom Sasse and Rosa Hodgkin. Audio production by Alex Rees. Inside Briefing is a Podmasters Production for the IfG. 

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