These are challenging times for Boris Johnson in so many ways. The self-appointed minister for the

Union pledged to strengthen the bond between the countries of the United Kingdom when he became

Prime Minister. But in the battle against coronavirus, we've witnessed the country's constituent

parts deliberately moving out of step with each other. So could COVID-19 kill the union?

Martin?

Well, I think it's got some serious underlying conditions,

but it's not yet on life support.

Leslie?

Yes.

I mean, Britain has revealed itself

as a kind of archaic elitist,

country with very poor governance,

but there won't be a breakup unless there's a big

campaign for a different future, especially in Scotland.

Alex.

Well, let's just say it's not helping to preserve it.

Yeah, there's an understatement.

Well, it's certainly a key aspect of the current political debate, alongside,

of course, the controversy over Dominic Cummings Tour of the North, which we'll come on to as well,

no doubt. My three guests on today's Red Lines, from whom you just heard very briefly, Martin

Kettle, the Guardian columnist, Leslie Riddick, the broadcaster and columnist for the Scotsman,

and Alex Massey, who writes political

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