Were we right to lock down? Michael Gove vs Toby Young

What this episode covers

On 23 March 2020, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the unprecedented decision to put the UK into lockdown. To mark the 5th anniversary of that announcement this weekend, we have brought together our editor Michael Gove – then a cabinet minister under Boris – and our associate editor Toby Young – an ardent critic of the decision – to answer the question, was the government right to lock down?Was the decision a necessary and reasonable health measure based on the available evidence at the time, or a significant and avoidable violation of civil liberties by a government that was meant to champion liberal freedoms? You decide.Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Corrupt Cop EXPOSED Database Leak Linked to Daylight Shooting Full Interrogation

Apr 29, 2026 ·80m

Husband Thinks He Got Away With Killing His Wife (He Didn’t) Full Interrogation

Apr 29, 2026 ·91m

Online Predator Caught in Texas Sting Full Police Interrogation

Apr 29, 2026 ·48m

Full Police Interrogation Officer Who Shot and Killed Man at Walmart

Apr 29, 2026 ·106m

Mom Realizes Her 13-Year-Old Son Is A Murderer

Apr 29, 2026 ·55m

Evil Mom Thinks She Got Away With Murder (She Did…Not)

Apr 29, 2026 ·74m

Similar Podcasts

The Course Mentors Podcast The Course Mentors Hey there, future course creator!Ever feel like turning your know-how into an online course is like trying to solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded? Well, grab your headphones because "The Course Mentors Podcast" is here to be your secret weapon!Meet Aimee and Odette (that's us!), your new best friends in the course creation world. We've been in the trenches for over a decade, and for the last five years, we've been rocking the online course space. Now we're here to spill all our secrets in bite-sized, 15-20 minute episodes that'll fit perfectly in your coffee breaks.No fluff, no filler - just real, actionable advice that'll take you from "um, what's a landing page?" to "holy moly, I just hit six figures!". We're talking everything from crafting your course to marketing it like a pro and building a business that'll have you pinching yourself.Whether you're dreaming of ditching the 9-to-5 grind, adding a sweet extra income str Hyperfluent Hypio Hyperfluent transmits straight from the heart of Hyperliquid, where culture, creativity, and capital converge. Anchored by the architects of Hypio—the decentralized cultural virus—each episode archives the minds engineering the blockchain built to house all finance. These conversations are traceable artifacts in HyperEVM’s evolution: not just what’s being built, but why it matters, how it mutates, and where it’s taking us next. Listen in for the blueprints, the blind spots, and the narrative weapons shaping tomorrow’s markets.Hyperfluent: learn the language, ride the wave, spread the strain. Backstage Ballet for iPhone/iPod Royal Opera House A collection of backstage videos from the Royal Opera House showing what happens in the costume, ballet shoes and wig departments as well as access to backstage for iPhone/iPod The Deep End Robert Dyl The Deep End is a show featuring house music, mostly deep house. You won't here EDM on this show. Music is the celebration of life, celebrate life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Coffee House Shots?

This episode is 31 minutes long.

When was this Coffee House Shots episode published?

This episode was published on March 22, 2025.

What is this episode about?

On 23 March 2020, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the unprecedented decision to put the UK into lockdown. To mark the 5th anniversary of that announcement this weekend, we have brought together our editor Michael Gove – then a cabinet...

Can I download this Coffee House Shots episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.