Has the UK gone too far in the restrictions imposed to combat the coronavirus pandemic?

This senior conservative MP thinks so.

This is a dangerous moment in the life of our country.

People feel they have been pushed too far, pushed too much, pushed too hard.

They've suffered too much.

Businesses who were positively shut down by the government, alcohol and drug misuse,

reduced physical activity, malnutrition, self-harm domestic violence, suicide.

Welcome to Payne's Politics, your essential insider guide to what's happening in British politics

from the Financial Times, with me Sebastian Payne.

In our third summer interview special, I'm delighted to be joined by Steve Baker,

the conservative MP for High Wickham, and one of the party's most formidable campaigners.

The ex-Brexit minister became well known for his role in the European Research Group,

which argued for a clean break with the block.

He served briefly in government, but has since become most well known in the Westminster Village

for his efforts campaigning on net zero, the coronavirus pandemic,

and we'll be discussing that along with his libertarian worldview

and how it feels to be a perennial rebel.

Steve, welcome to Payne's Politics.

Well said, thanks very much for having me on and thank you for that very generous introduction.

Well, we're speaking in August of middle of recess,

how's your summer break been, what summer been for you,

how is it as an MP basically not being in Westminster and being in the constituency?

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