Nicola Sturgeon has now laid out Scotland’s lockdown exit strategy, a week after breaking with Boris Johnson and opposing the easing of restrictions that happened in England. Many think the Scottish first minister has handled the pandemic response better than the UK PM, but does it hold up under scrutiny? Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth to talk about how Scotland is faring during the pandemic, as well as where Keir Starmer’s focus in the week it was revealed this year’s Labour conference has been cancelled. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

Commons People

206: Is Nicola Sturgeon’s Response To The Pandemic As Good As Everyone Says?

Britain was told to ease itself back to work as Boris Johnson’s government tries to devise a lockdown exit strategy that keeps the coronavirus at bay without long-term damage to the economy. Confused messaging from the government however has led to difficult questions, particularly those from Keir Starmer at PMQs. Does Boris Johnson have the answers? Questions too are beginning to be asked of China, both in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and more broadly about its global role.  Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight Bob Seely joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth to talk about the government’s test and trace app, the UK’s failure to learn from Asia, and how the government can manage the economy post-recession. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

205: Is This China’s ‘Skripal Poisoning Moment’? With Bob Seely MP

Boris Johnson went toe-to-toe with Sir Keir Starmer for the first time in PMQs this week, with Labour’s leader impressing many. But what is his long-term strategy and how is he managing the one thing he can control - the Labour party? Meanwhile as the prime minister prepares for a minor easing of the coronavirus lockdown, there is no end in sight for the UK’s theatres, music venues and comedy clubs. Could the country lose ‘the next Stormzy’ as working class artists turn away in search of cash? Joining Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth, shadow culture minister Tracy Brabin discusses her new leader and the economic impact of the lockdown. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

204: Could Lockdown Rob The UK Of 'The Next Stormzy'? With Tracy Brabin MP

Boris Johnson capped off an eventful April as prime minister with the birth of his son with partner Carrie Symonds, two days after returning from three weeks off with severe coronavirus. Has the last month changed the prime minister’s outlook on the crisis? Top of his to do list is when and how to end the lockdown so the country can begin to get back to some semblance of normality, with Johnson’s deputy Dominic Raab was cautious not to discuss while he held the reins of government.  Joining Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth, new Conservative MP for Rother Valley Alexander Stafford gives an insight into the government’s Covid-19 strategy, as well as whether he thinks Sir Keir Starmer can reclaim red wall seats like his for Labour. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

203: Boris Johnson’s Back, But Is He A Hawk Or A Dove?

The government seems unable to give a straight answer on a range of questions as problems with PPE persist and no sign of an exit strategy being presented to the public. Is no one able to make decisions during Boris Johnson’s absence?  As the country continues to strive through the lockdown, worries about the economy are being joined by the affects it is having one the public, particularly for school children and women with abusive partners. Shadow minister for domestic violence Jess Phillips joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth to discuss what needs to be done to limit the effects of the pandemic lockdown. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

202: Do The Lockdown’s Hidden Victims Need An Exit Plan? With Jess Phillips

An unsettling week for Westminster as prime minister Boris Johnson was admitted to intensive care with coronavirus. His admission to hospital left Dominic Raab as de facto PM whilst Johnson recovers but who’s now running the government’s handling of the pandemic as it enters the peak for the UK? For Labour, their search for a new leader is finally over as Keir Starmer won the vote to take over from Jeremy Corbyn. Starmer moved quickly to organise his shadow cabinet, with a few notable admissions and omissions. Do the appointments show how he intends to lead?  Labour MP Wes Streeting gives Arj Singh, Rachel Wearmouth and Kate Forrester the news from the PLP’s zoom video chat. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

201: Keir Starmer Begins His Rebuild Of Labour

As the second week of Britain’s lockdown comes to an end, the government’s response to coronavirus is beginning to come under attack. As Boris Johnson, Matt Hancock and Chris Whitty self-isolate, a lack of answers over testing and protective equipment is prompting scathing criticism. Where have ministers gone wrong, and can they fix it? Senior Conservative MP and chair of the Commons science committee Greg Clark joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth to talk about the government’s handling of the pandemic. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

200: Testing Times For The Government’s Response To The Coronavirus Pandemic

Boris Johnson has put Britain on lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus across the country. Businesses are shut with the public asked to only leave their homes for essential travel or exercise. But has the message been muddled? And did the response come fast enough? Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth via video call to discuss the government’s response and the future of Labour as Jeremy Corbyn bows out as Labour leader. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

199: Is Lockdown Going To 'Send Coronavirus Packing'? With Jon Ashworth MP

A truly unprecedented week in Westminster, as prime minister Boris Johnson told the country to stay at home as Britain begins to edge towards the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. The public were urged to stay away from pubs, theatres, schools and work from home to try protect those more in immediate risk from Covid-19. The monumental change to how we live now has shocked markets worldwide, with the government announcing £350 billion of measures to help businesses and those unable to work. Is it enough though and what more can the government do? Joining Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth, and keeping a safe social distance, is Conservative MP Andrew Griffith. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

198: The First Brexit-Free Podcast In Four Years, Featuring Andrew Griffith MP

The march of the coronavirus across the world dominated headlines this week, with Westminster having its first diagnosed cases and the government moving to delay phase to try limit its spread. Is Boris Johnson’s team listening to the right advice? Labour MP and A&E doctor Rosena Allin-Khan joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth to discuss the government’s response, as well as running the rule over chancellor Rishi Sunak’s big spending Budget. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

197: Coronavirus Hides The Budget In Plain Sight, With Rosena Allin-Khan MP

Britain is ramping up its response to the coronavirus outbreak, with the Vote Leave government suddenly listening to “the experts”. But pandemic fears have failed to distract from the alleged bullying scandal engulfing home secretary Priti Patel. Can she hang on in the cabinet? Labour MP David Lammy joins Arj Singh and Paul Waugh to discuss all of this, and his new book Tribes, an exploration of how to heal the divides of a country increasingly riven by tribalism. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

196: Coronavirus Can’t Mask Priti Patel’s ‘Bullying’ Crisis, Feat. David Lammy MP

Priti Patel’s former special adviser James Starkie joins the team to give his verdict on the explosive briefing war engulfing the home secretary and her officials. The former Vote Leave ally of Dominic Cummings also explains why Boris Johnson’s controversial aide is going nowhere. And the team dissect the UK and EU’s opening negotiating positions to ask: what is the point of the PM’s hardline push for “divergence”? With Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

195: Dominic Cummings Is Going Nowhere

Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle has all of Westminster buzzing, with the shock resignation of Chancellor Sajid Javid. What does it reveal about how this government will go about their work? Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth discuss the cabinet reshuffle with Sajid Javid’s former special advisor Salma Shah. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

194: What Sajid Javid's Resignation Reveals About Boris Johnson's Government

A week after Brexit and Boris Johnson has outlined a tough opening position for trade negotiations by talking up an Australia-style relationship, but does it mean anything? It’s hard for journalists to really take a look with the government taking a Trumpian turn by trying to lock out critical media from a key briefing this week. Meanwhile, Labour’s leadership election lets the prime minister run amok in the party’s former strongholds. Arj Singh is joined by Paul Waugh, Rachel Wearmouth and UK In A Changing Europe’s Anand Menon to work out what comes next for Britain. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

193: Boris Johnson Dodges Scrutiny After Brexit, with Professor Anand Menon

Tory MP and foreign affairs committee chair Tom Tugendhat joins Arj Singh and Paul Waugh to discuss why he's been so vocal in his concern about Chinese tech giant Huawei being given a role in Britain's 5G infrastructure. Also on the podcast, the trio look at the other big decisions set to define Boris Johnson’s first year in office and what happens now Brexit is happening. Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone (https://news.huffingtonpost.com/h/t/1925256938B41841) and get the political day in a nutshell every weekday evening. 

192: Boris Johnson's Huawei To Hell? (With Tom Tugendhat MP)

Each week, the HuffPost UK Politics team unpack the biggest stories from Westminster and beyond.

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