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The Story

The Covid Act: A rebellion

The Story

The Times

Politics, News Analysis, Investigative Reporting, Exclusive Interviews, Long-form Audio, In-depth Journalism, Audio Storytelling, Current Affairs, Global News, Uk News, Daily News Podcast, Unknown, Daily News, News

41.5K Ratings

🗓️ 28 September 2020

⏱️ 26 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

It's been six months since MPs voted for the Coronavirus Act, a set of laws that gave the government sweeping powers over almost every aspect of daily life. Now a rebellion is brewing. Some MPs want more of a say over the prime minister's coronavirus strategy. 


Guests: 

Steven Swinford, Deputy Political Editor, The Times.

Steve Baker, Conservative MP for Wycombe.


Host: Ross Kempsell. 


Clips used: TalkRadio and Sky News.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

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0:00.0

This is a passenger announcement. You can now book your train on Uber and get 10% back in credits to spend on Uber eats.

0:11.0

So you can order your own fries instead of eating everyone else's.

0:15.0

Trains, now on Uber. T's and C's apply. This week Boris Johnson might have a fight on his hands.

0:29.0

Well, freedom's dying.

0:30.0

I wish to put it in those stark terms. Freedom's dying. The job of Parliament is to

0:35.1

prevent officials and ministers wielding unaccountable arbitrary power at their own

0:40.3

discretion. It's our job to make sure it's authorized by democratic means.

0:46.5

It's been six months since MPs voted for the Coronovirus Act,

0:51.4

a set of laws that gave the government sweeping powers over almost every aspect of daily life.

0:58.2

They said it was necessary to protect public health, but now a rebellion is brewing and some MPs want more of a

1:06.7

say over the Prime Minister's coronavirus strategy. This could be really

1:11.3

really significant if Boris Johnson wants to implement some restrictions

1:14.4

that either don't go far enough or go too far, then MPs could revolt over that and this will

1:18.7

give them a means to facilitate that revolt.

1:21.3

You're listening to stories of our times from The Times and the Sunday Times.

1:25.0

I'm Ross Kemsel, special correspondent for Times Radio sitting in for Manveinerana.

1:31.0

Today is Boris Johnson facing a rebellion over his handling of the

1:36.5

COVID crisis. So much has happened since then, but cast your mind back to the 24th of March.

1:57.0

Good evening. The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades. The day before

2:05.0

before Boris Johnson gave a TV address announcing the first national lockdown.

2:10.0

To stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.

2:14.5

Meanwhile, in Parliament,

...

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