The End Is N.I.

Does it matter when a Government breaks a keystone promise? Former Blair advisor John McTernan joins us to look at Boris Johnson’s punitive National Insurance hike and ask whether even a serial liar can get away with a whopper like this. What sort of devil is in the detail of the Government’s social care plans? Plus, on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 we ask whether the baleful effects of the terrorist attacks on Western politics could ever have played out differently.  “Breaking a promise is a profoundly important moment for any government… Promises go to leadership, and that matters.” – John McTernan “The likelihood that we’ll fall into a conspiracy theory is so much greater that at the time of 9/11 simply because of the way we access information now.” – Minnie Rahman “There are people within Labour who want to seek out new ideas and energy with the aim of crushing them.’” – John McTernan “It’s not the rate that matters, it’s the complexity. This is a new layer of complexity, and that always benefits the rich.” – Alex Andreou “Johnson was elected on levelling up and now he’s going to level down, to the tune of £1,000 a year for some people.” – John McTernan www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Minnie Rahman and Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.