If Boris Johnson thought he was going to enjoy a gentle wind-down ahead of the festive period, his plans have clearly been upended.
The Prime Minister has decided, though, not to impose further restrictions ahead of Christmas – under the watchful eye of Tory backbenchers and some Cabinet ministers,
But for Telegraph columnist and co-host of the weekly Planet Normal podcast, Allison Pearson, the current state of affairs is already an overreaction: “The restrictions they’re talking about, even the ones apply now, should only be imposed in a state of emergency. We are not in a state of emergency,” she says, citing preliminary data suggesting the Omicron coronavirus variant produces milder symptoms.
“For me it’s about how quickly we have lost sight of our rights to have freedoms.”
Joining Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan on this week’s episode of Planet Normal is The Telegraph’s parliamentary sketchwriter, Madeline Grant, who gives listeners the inside track on a tumultuous week in the Commons and pinpoints the moment Number 10 became “rudderless”.
Listen to Planet Normal, a weekly Telegraph podcast featuring news and views from beyond the bubble, using the audio player above or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred podcast app.
