Covid Gamble: Coherent or Confusing?

In the final episode of the All Out Politics podcast, Adam Boulton and guests review the political year of 2021.It was a 12 months dominated once again by the coronavirus pandemic but punctuated by Brexit, allegations of sleaze and questions about leadership.Joining Adam are The Times columnist and former Conservative MP Matthew Parris, The New Statesman's deputy online editor Rachel Cunliffe and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.They will each pick their 'person' and 'moment' of the year and make a prediction for what lies ahead in 2022.#AllOutPolitics

Adam Boulton and guests assess a stunning by-election defeat for the Conservatives in North Shropshire as the Liberal Democrats overturn a 23 thousand majority - with a 24% swing - and pile more pressure on Boris Johnson.They examine the impact of that result and what it means for the Prime Minister's leadership after a series of stories about sleaze and Downing Street parties.The panel also discuss the latest tensions between politicians and medical professionals over what to do about the Omicron variant of coronavirus and give their views on which leader should be most optimistic going into 2022.Joining Adam this week are the deputy political editor of the Daily Telegraph Lucy Fisher, the former press secretary to Paddy Ashdown Jo Phillips and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.#AllOutPolitics

Is it one rule for them and another for us? Adam Boulton and guests assess an uncomfortable week for the Prime Minister after claims of a Christmas Party in 10 Downing Street last year - at the same time as the country was living with Covid restrictions.There followed a series of denials that a party took place before video footage emerged showing Downing Street officials joking about said alleged party. The panel also discuss the government's decision to introduce Covid 'Plan B' measures in England and a final thought on whether Boris Johnson will lead the Conservatives at the next election.Joining Adam this week are the assistant comment Editor at the Daily Telegraph Olivia Utley, the associate editor of the Daily Mirror Kevin Maguire, the former Conservative minister David Gaukeand Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.#AllOutPolitics*Audio credit: Downing Street footage obtained by ITV News.

Adam Boulton and guests look at the state of the parties after this week's Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election in which the Conservatives held the seat with a reduced majority. The panel assess the impact of the Reform Party - which finished third - and speculate on when there could be another general election.They also reflect on the latest attempt by Sir Keir Starmer to get Labour on the front foot with this week's shadow cabinet reshuffle.Joining Adam this week are the political correspondent at New Statesman Ailbhae Rea, chief political correspondent and assistant editor at The Daily Telegraph, Christopher Hope, and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.#AllOutPolitics

Adam Boulton and guests discuss the issue at the top of the political agenda - the distressing news of the deaths of 27 people who drowned in the English Channel trying to reach the UK.They also asses the Prime Minister's fortunes as Boris Johnson attempts to get back on the front foot after the sleaze row, the HS2 controversy, the rebellion on social care plans, a somewhat bungled speech to the CBI and the reported tensions with the Treasury.Joining Adam this week are the former Home Office special adviser Salma Shah, former adviser to Boris Johnson Alex Crowther and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.#AllOutPolitics

Adam Boulton and guests discuss the government's levelling up agenda through the prism of changes to the HS2 and Northern Powerhouse rail projects.They also analyse the ongoing sleaze row which isn't going away despite the Prime Minister's attempts to close it down with a move to clean up the system.Joining Adam on the this week's podcast are the former Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, Lord Andrew Adonis; the co-leader of the Green Party, Carla Denyer and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.#AllOutPolitics

Adam Boulton and guests discuss the sleaze allegations circling UK politics.The controversy has focused on Conservative MPs with second jobs, Sir Geoffrey Cox carrying out paid external work from his House of Commons office and the issue of lobbying following the Owen Paterson row.Should MPs have second jobs and how should the Conservatives respond to the claims?Joining Adam this week are the SNP MP Pete Wishart; the deputy political editor of The Spectator and columnist at the 'i' Katy Balls; Conservative commentator Tim Montgomerie and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.#AllOutPolitics

Adam Boulton and guests analyse the good, the bad and the bubbly from this week's Budget statement by Rishi Sunak.Big spending commitments in line with Brown and Blair rather than Osborne and Cameron - and big tax rises to boot, with the tax burden now at a level not seen since 1949.A big boost for workers on Universal Credit and a business rate discount for shops, restaurants and gyms..But with the threat of inflation on the horizon - and the promise of tax cuts by 2024 - did the Chancellor do enough to convince the public to share his optimism? Joining Adam this week are the former senior adviser to Phillip Hammond and Sajid Javid - and now partner at Flint Global - Tim Pitt, the Oxford economist and author Linda Yueh and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.#AllOutPolitics

Adam Boulton and guests discuss two types of risk this week. The risk to the public from Covid as ministers rule out introducing a Plan B to tackle rising cases of the virus - a decision which seems at odds with the advice from from the British Medical Association and the NHS Confederation. And the panel assess the risk to MPs and their safety as they remember Sir David Amess MP who died on October 15th.Joining Adam this week are the Conservative MP and member of the Covid Recovery Group, Harriett Baldwin; the Labour MP Angela Eagle and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.#AllOutPolitics

Brexit is back on the agenda this week as Adam Boulton and guests discuss the thorny issue of Northern Ireland protocol.Negotiations have resumed between the UK and the European Union over the implementation of the protocol with the EU offering concessions on checks.But the role of the European Court of Justice appears the major sticking point so what next?Joining Adam this week are the former Permanent Secretary at the Department for Exiting the EU, Philip Rycroft; Die Welt’s correspondent in London, Stefanie Bolzen and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.#AllOutPolitics