Christopher Whitty has told the public he expects a 'significant increase' in Omicron hospitalisations over the next few weeks. The chief medical officer is concerned about the pressures this new variant will put on the NHS. Could he be overreacting? In contrast, there are encouraging signs coming from South Africa that continue to show that Omicron is less severe than Delta.

The Commons vote on vaccine passports is looming where Boris Johnson could face a rebellion larger than his majority. The vote this evening is currently predicted to have over 80 rebels that want to send a message to the Prime Minister:

'The worry is that the vaccine program, something that Boris Johnson has taken huge political capital from, is starting to fade as a success story for a lot of voters' - Isabel Hardman.

To discuss this and the North Shropshire by-election, Katy Balls is joined by Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth.

Subscribe to The Spectator's Evening Blend email, from Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls, for analysis of the day's political news and a summary of the best pieces from our website. Go to www.spectator.co.uk/blend to sign up.

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