Sir Philip Pullman on Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings, lockdown and the 'villainy' of Brexit

The transcript discusses the impact of lockdown on daily life, highlighting how it forced people to engage in outdoor activities. It critiques the UK government's expectations of public behavior during the pandemic, noting the public's sensible response. The speaker criticizes the government's handling of the pandemic and Brexit, expressing anticipation for future reports on these issues. The transcript also delves into constitutional issues, questioning the authority of referendums and the inefficiencies of the current voting system, ultimately expressing pessimism about the possibility of change.

What was the government's expectation of the public's behavior during the lockdown?

• They expected compliance and adherence to rules.

• They thought people would ignore the rules and continue socializing.

• They believed people would protest against the lockdown.

• They assumed everyone would stay indoors without any encouragement.

What cultural background is associated with figures like Johnson and Cummings?

• A culture of strict rule-following and discipline.

• A culture of chaos, disruption, and amusement in disorder.

• A culture of innovation and technological advancement.

• A culture of peace and non-violence.

What is the speaker's view on the UK's current voting system?

• It is the best system in the world.

• It is modern and fair to all parties.

• It is outdated and disenfranchises many voters.

• It is efficient and represents the majority well.

What does the speaker suggest about referendums in the UK?

• They should be abolished completely.

• They should have a higher threshold for major changes.

• They should be decided by a simple majority.

• They should be conducted more frequently.

What is the speaker's outlook on the possibility of constitutional change in the UK?

• Optimistic about immediate reforms.

• Pessimistic, believing change is unlikely.

• Confident that change will happen soon.

• Indifferent to the need for change.