This is the Guardian.

Today, the government says it's time we learnt to live with Covid.

What does that actually mean?

Peter Walker, you're a political correspondent for the Guardian. And you can tell from the sound of the hubbub in the background where you are in your office in Westminster.

This is one of the biggest announcements that Boris Johnson's been wanting to make for a long time.

Today is the day he's been trying to get us all excited about. The day that all restrictions are ending in England.

What do you think his ultimate political aim is in ending the restrictions now?

To stay down in street longer than Theresa May.

I'm joking to any Prime Minister at the back of their mind does always have this sense of self-preservation.

For Johnson, there's several things going on, one of which is this very kind of base but completely realistic political goal of keeping his back benches on side as much as he can.

So those who would wait for a total end to this war before lifting the remaining regulations would be restricting the liberties of the British people for a long time to come.

Another one is that Johnson is by political instinct, something of a libertarian. I mean, I think the government he's run during Covid is not the one he would have, you know, as a child, imagine him being PM,

would have pictured himself doing of imposing restrictions and having to raise taxes to pay for it. And he said that quite openly isn't what he wanted to or to do.

I know how difficult this is and how it seems to go against the freedom-loving instincts of the British people.

This is a decision that lots of similar countries, the UK, with high vaccination rates are starting to face up to, you know, what do you do now? How do you live with Covid?

If there is a way which won't make public health experts have a fit of the vapors to a do it, you can understand why politicians want to.

Well, not everyone's convinced that the government has the best motivations.

People need to know their liberties are returning and returning for good. But this is a half-baked announcement from a government paralysed by chaos and incompetence.

It is not a plan to live well with Covid.

From the Guardian, I'm Hannah Moore. Today in focus, all Covid restrictions are now lifted in England. Are we ready?

Before I begin, I know the whole House will join me in sending our best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen for a full and swift recovery.

It is a reminder that this virus has not gone away.

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