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Hello and welcome to The Edition. The Spectator's weekly podcast discussing some of the most

important and intriguing issues within our pages with the writers behind them. I'm Cindy Yu.

This week, as post-pandemic life seems that little bit closer, is it time to rethink our relationship

with China?

We also talk about the long-term impact of the Dominic Cummings Affair, even if he doesn't go

himself. And last, what is the etiquette for working from home when you can hear your neighbours

on their conference course? First up, in this week's cover piece, James Forsyth writes about the determination in the

Conservative Party to change the British relationship with China.

It is a desire, in short, to reduce dependence.

James joins me down the line now, together with Sir Oliver Letwin, former Cabinet Minister

and head of the World Ahead Program at the Legatum Institute,

which looks at the rise of India and China. So, James, can you first tell us what it is that

the government is thinking about and why now? Well, I think this is a result of a coronavirus crisis,

but it's not because the virus first seemed to flare up in China.

It is because it has shown them in two ways the issues with the UK's dependence on China.

First of all, the UK simply does not have enough ability to manufacture things like personal protective equipment in this country.

And secondly, they've seen how this is not a normal

trading relationship, but they've seen how they've been constantly reminded that don't say this

now or don't say that now, because if you do, these shipments of personal protective equipment

will dry up. Now, if you had a trading relationship with an EU country,

...