On 27 January, the number of people in the UK who have died with Covid-19 passed 100,000. The UK has the fifth highest death toll in the world, and the pandemic has taken more British lives than the Blitz.
In this episode of the New Statesman podcast, Stephen, Anoosh and Ailbhe look at the mistakes that were made, how they might yet be countered, and what the electoral cost of the disaster will be when the country next heads to the polls.
Further reading
Stephen argues that the Prime Minister’s approach has led to many more deaths than might otherwise have occurred, and to unnecessary economic damage.
Nicu Calcea from the New Statesman data team writes on the tragic numbers of the Covid-19 crisis
Related
Sophie McBain considers why we have not yet found a way to mourn loss on this scale
If you’re in the mood for more audio from the the New Statesman, listen to World Review, a weekly global affairs podcast from international editor Jeremy Cliffe in Berlin and US editor Emily Tamkin in Washington DC.
How to listen to the New Statesman podcast
1. In your browser
You can use the player above to listen in your browser right now. The New Statesman podcast publishes twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays. All episodes are published to newstatesman.com/podcasts on the day of release. Subscribers to the New Statesman can access episodes a day early, in our subscriber edition.
2. In a podcast app
The New Statesman podcast is available on all major podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, Google Podcasts, and more. Search ‘New Statesman podcast’ in your favourite podcast app, and subscribe or follow to make sure you receive episodes as soon as they publish. While you’re there, please leave a review for the podcast – it helps others find the show, which in turn makes it possible for us to keep making it.
3. On your smart speaker
If you have an Amazon Echo, Google Home or Apple HomePod smart speaker, ask it to “play the latest episode of the New Statesman podcast”. The same command also works with virtual assistants on mobile devices.
Content from our partners
