ofthe pretty grey and wet for most of the day. cooler conditions behind and that will lead into a pretty chilly night to come as we go into the early hours of friday morning, and that combined with a frontal system moving in once again from the west means on the leading edge we could have some snow, and it is likely it is just have some snow, and it is likely it isjust going to have some snow, and it is likely it is just going to be to have some snow, and it is likely it isjust going to be to higher ground but it is worth bearing in mind, the high ground of northern ireland, the scottish borders, across the pennines and north wales, we could have a few centimetres of snow accumulating through the morning. that could cause disruption and that this is the low pressure circulating around the low, sunny spells and scattered showers for england and wales, a drier scenario for scotland but will continue to be cold, the 1st of march, and those temperatures are slightly below par for the time of year. expecting highs of 5—9, and the cuda theme is set to continue into the weekend with a risk of snow

to higher parts of ground in wales but drier and brighter a bit further south. —— the cooler theme. that's it. newsnight is just getting under way, over on bbc two. but here on bbc one, its time to join our colleagues for the news where you are. the prime minister suggests mob rule is replacing democratic rule — amid protests over the war in gaza. ceasefire now! ceasefire now! rishi sunak believes some of the current protests amount to what he calls a "subversion of the democratic process"

and at a meeting in downing street tells police to use the powers they have to crack down on them. is he right? or are his words political posturing that threaten the freedom to protest? also tonight — had covid? wondered about that brain fog? a studyjust published suggests covid can have a detrimental effect on our memory and ability to think straight. we'll ask this neuroscientist, who worked on the study, can the cognitive impairment be repaired? and we'll talk to this consultant who had to give up work after she got covid. there's a risk that half the councils across england could become bankrupt over the next five years — what, if anything, can stop that happening? we'll try and explore solutions and a way through with those on the local government front line. good evening. following hamas�*s attack on israel on october 7th, israel's response has seen almost 30,000 gazans killed according

to the hamas—run health ministry. there have been widespread protests on the streets of the uk and at times outside the offices and even homes of our elected representatives. the prime minster has claimed today that there is a �*growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic rule.�* rishi sunak was addressing senior police leaders and police and crime commissioners at a roundtable at downing street. he told police they need to use the powers they have to, �*protect the democratic process from intimidation, disruption or subversion�*. nick's here to make sense of what's going on. so, talk us through what the prime minister had to say. it so, talk us through what the prime minister had to say.— minister had to say. it was quite a statement by _ minister had to say. it was quite a statement by the _ minister had to say. it was quite a statement by the prime _ minister had to say. it was quite a statement by the prime minister i minister had to say. it was quite a l statement by the prime minister at that policing round table where the dough might be agreed this document, defending democracy policing protocol and let's look at the words you mentioned. the prime minister said there is a growing consensus that mob rule is replacing

democratic rule and we have to collectively, all of us, change that urgently. rishi sunak is thinking about protests outside the homes of elected representatives and some of those on the pro—palestinian protest. on the policing of those he effectively gives the police a mark of could do better. he talks about how the new protocol makes clear the consistent and robust approach that your forces will take from now. in other words, your forces will take from now. in otherwords, perhaps your forces will take from now. in other words, perhaps you haven't been doing that until now. to protect our democratic processes from intimidation, disruption from subversion. the prime minister also answers the point by some in the police that if the government wants them to police more robustly, then politicians should change the law. no need for that, says mr sunak. look at what he says, we also need to demonstrate more broadly to the public that you will use the powers you already have, the laws that you have. you already have, the laws that you have, ., ,., you already have, the laws that you have. ., ., , ., , have. so, what sort of things does the prime minister _ have. so, what sort of things does the prime minister expect -

have. so, what sort of things does the prime minister expect the - have. so, what sort of things does l the prime minister expect the police to do? ,,., ., ., to do? this protocol agreed with the olice to do? this protocol agreed with the police today — to do? this protocol agreed with the police today says — to do? this protocol agreed with the police today says that _ to do? this protocol agreed with the police today says that protests - police today says that protests outside the homes of public representatives should be generally treated as intimidatory. and then it cites the law that allows the police to direct the protesters away. it says the protests at party offices and democratic venues can't be allowed as a way of preventing the use of that space or to cause alarm. there is a final word of warning from the prime minister. he says these proposals are crucial to maintaining confidence in policing. there is an interesting political point. there is of course agreement, consensus across the political spectrum about the dangers of these protests because mps from all sides say they are being targeted. but it's quite interesting that the leader of a party that has run a country for ia years says that that country for ia years says that that country is moving from a democracy to mob rule. perhaps you'd expect the leader of the opposition to say that! ., ~ i. n a

the leader of the opposition to say that! ., ~ a ., ~ ., that! thank you, nick. let's talk to ben jamal that! thank you, nick. let's talk to ben jamal from — that! thank you, nick. let's talk to ben jamal from the _ that! thank you, nick. let's talk to ben jamal from the palestine - benjamal from the palestine solidarity can painful stop —— palestine solidarity campaign. and the conservative police and crime commissioner for hampshire and the isle of wight donna jones — she's the chair of the national association of police and crime commissioners. she was at the round table with the pm, home secretary, security minister and policing leaders at downing street. thank you for talking to us, both. benjamal, first of all, downing street appears to have specifically referenced your words tonight in the protocol that they have issued, referring to you reportedly dummett repeatedly saying about the protest about a week ago, we want so many of you to come that they will have to lock the doors of parliament itself. why did you say that about locking the doors of parliament —— referring to you repeatedly saying. goad to you repeatedly saying. good evenin: , to you repeatedly saying. good evening, victoria. _ to you repeatedly saying. good evening, victoria. that - to you repeatedly saying. good evening, victoria. that is - to you repeatedly saying. good evening, victoria. that is a - evening, victoria. that is a misquote which has been repeated in several national newspapers. what i actually said, and this was in advance of the ceasefire vote,

called for a lobby of parliament, called for a lobby of parliament, called for a lobby of parliament, called for people to e—mail their mps and then come to westminster to lobby their mps in person. and what i said was, i want to see so many people coming that there is a queue stretching all the way down whitehall, and there are so many coming that they won't be able to let any more in. so this was a call for people to participate in a democratic process to come and ask to see their mps._ democratic process to come and ask to see their mps. phone. just so i'm absolutely clear, _ to see their mps. phone. just so i'm absolutely clear, sorry _ to see their mps. phone. just so i'm absolutely clear, sorry to _ absolutely clear, sorry to interrupt, you never said the words, we want so many of you to come that they will have to lock the doors of parliament itself? you never said that? . ., , parliament itself? you never said that? . . , . parliament itself? you never said that? . . ., that? that was in reference to come i may have — that? that was in reference to come i may have said _ that? that was in reference to come i may have said i want _ that? that was in reference to come i may have said i want so _ that? that was in reference to come i may have said i want so many - that? that was in reference to come i may have said i want so many to l i may have said i want so many to come they won't be able to let any more in there will have to lock the doors, not about a protest outside that parliament will have to be protected from maccombe about people coming into parliament to lobby their mps. what actually happened?

no, no, no, so he did say lock the doors of parliament itself, which to some people sounds intimidating. in some people sounds intimidating. i“! relation to a lobbying of parliament. let's i don't know if all of your viewers know how these lobbies work, there is a time—honoured fundamental part of the democratic process which is the right of any member of the public to go into the houses of parliament and ask to see their mp through something called green carding, they go and queue up, they hand in a green card and ask to see their mp and i said i want as many of you as possible to come so that the mp had a sense of the body of public opinion. this was described in some elements of the national press and ljy elements of the national press and by the government as a call for insurrection. i'm not aware of any insurrection in history that people have chewed up —— queued up peacefully outside parliament in order to undertake. let me bring in donna jones. you were at that meeting today. in your view, is a police and crime commissioner, did the police have

enough powers to arrest people for chanting anti—semitic slogans or projecting from the river to the sea on big ben?— projecting from the river to the sea on big ben?_ why - projecting from the river to the sea i on big ben?_ why aren't on big ben? yes, they do. why aren't the usin: on big ben? yes, they do. why aren't they using them? _ on big ben? yes, they do. why aren't they using them? well, _ on big ben? yes, they do. why aren't they using them? well, they - on big ben? yes, they do. why aren't they using them? well, they have - they using them? well, they have used them. _ they using them? well, they have used them, over— they using them? well, they have used them, over 600 _ they using them? well, they have used them, over 600 people - they using them? well, they have j used them, over 600 people have they using them? well, they have - used them, over 600 people have been arrested since the 7th of october. over £25 million of public money have been spent on policing these protests. my concern is that public money should be spent on catching drug gangs... that money should be spent on catching drug gangs- - -_ drug gangs... that is a different oint, i drug gangs... that is a different point, i understand _ drug gangs... that is a different point, i understand that. - drug gangs. .. that is a different point, i understand that. if- drug gangs... that is a different point, i understand that. if 600| point, i understand that. if 600 people have been arrested, then, why is rishi sunak claiming that somehow mob rule is subverting the democratic laws of the land? it's not. , ., democratic laws of the land? it's not. ,., ~ , not. the point the prime minister! think is trying _ not. the point the prime minister! think is trying to — not. the point the prime minister! think is trying to get _ not. the point the prime minister! think is trying to get across, - not. the point the prime minister! think is trying to get across, as - think is trying to get across, as are all numbers of the government, as this isn't acceptable. protest, yes, use your right to democratically get your point across, yes, close bridges, closed roads across the capital or anywhere

in the country, no. don't break the law. have you democratic say but also allow others to go about their lives peacefully as they have a right to do. lives peacefully as they have a right to do-_ lives peacefully as they have a right to do. and what about mr sunak's point _ right to do. and what about mr sunak's point to _ right to do. and what about mr sunak's point to the _ right to do. and what about mr sunak's point to the police - sunak's point to the police essentially, it would seem, telling them to do more but you are saying there already are doing what they need to do?— there already are doing what they need to do? , ., , ~ need to do? they are but i think the oint need to do? they are but i think the point that's — need to do? they are but i think the point that's being _ need to do? they are but i think the point that's being made _ need to do? they are but i think the point that's being made by - need to do? they are but i think the point that's being made by a - point that's being made by a number of parliamentarians over the last few months is that more does need to be done. let'sjust few months is that more does need to be done. let's just take what happened on saturday. let's take the situation with tower bridge. it wasn't reopened quick enough. we know that. but the powers in the legislation are there, they do exist and they were there on saturday to reopen that bridge.— reopen that bridge. that's what happened. _ reopen that bridge. that's what happened. the _ reopen that bridge. that's what happened, the police _ reopen that bridge. that's what| happened, the police eventually reopen that bridge. that's what - happened, the police eventually came and moved the protesters on, that's what happened. the? and moved the protesters on, that's what happened-— what happened. they did, they absolutely _ what happened. they did, they absolutely did. _ what happened. they did, they absolutely did. so _ what happened. they did, they absolutely did. so what's - what happened. they did, they absolutely did. so what's your| absolutely did. so what's your oint, absolutely did. so what's your point. then? _ absolutely did. so what's your point, then? my _ absolutely did. so what's your point, then? my point - absolutely did. so what's your point, then? my point is - absolutely did. so what's your point, then? my point is is - absolutely did. so what's your. point, then? my point is is that absolutely did. so what's your- point, then? my point is is that the rotest, point, then? my point is is that the protest. have _ point, then? my point is is that the protest, have your _ point, then? my point is is that the protest, have your right _ point, then? my point is is that the protest, have your right to - protest, have your right to democracy, yes, but don't stifle democracy, yes, but don't stifle

democracy, don't undermine our democratic right in this country for parliamentarians to go about their business without fear, for parliamentarians to not be able to go to their homes and take their children home. don't close public roads, don't close bridges across the capital, don't put other people in fear. yes, we want you to have yoursay in fear. yes, we want you to have your say and everyone respects that. the british people are very tolerant but £25 million has now been spent on these protests since the 7th of october last year. that is money that could and should be spent on saving and protecting people across the capital and preventing crimes from taking place. what has gone on now is not right, it has gone beyond the pale. it has to stop now. what the pale. it has to stop now. what the prime minister is trying to get across on behalf of the british public as this has gone too far and he now wants to see quicker action on days such as the protests on the set that is every two weeks across the capital. set that is every two weeks across the capital-— the capital. ben jamal, do you acce -t the capital. ben jamal, do you accept some _ the capital. ben jamal, do you accept some people _ the capital. ben jamal, do you accept some people feel- the capital. ben jamal, do you - accept some people feel intimidated and that sometimes a line has been crossed? some people feel

intimidated by some of the people on the mainly peaceful protests. mei!!! the mainly peaceful protests. well, look, i the mainly peaceful protests. well, look. i don't _ the mainly peaceful protests. well, look, i don't think _ the mainly peaceful protests. well, look, i don't think your _ the mainly peaceful protests. well, look, i don't think your guest - the mainly peaceful protests. -ii look, i don't think your guest has been speaking to her police colleagues. it is worth quoting the evidence that senior police officers gave the home affairs select committee who were investigating the marches. and remember, we have had ten national matches since october. let me quote... can i ask you my question again, mrjamal? do you accept that some people are whether politicians in the house of commons, orjewish people around london, feel intimidated? they feel frightened intimidated ? they feel frightened when intimidated? they feel frightened when they see phrases like from the river to the sea beamed onto big ben, do you accept that?- river to the sea beamed onto big ben, do you accept that? lenny come back to that- — ben, do you accept that? lenny come back to that. no, _ ben, do you accept that? lenny come back to that. no, could _ ben, do you accept that? lenny come back to that. no, could you _ ben, do you accept that? lenny come back to that. no, could you please . back to that. no, could you please answer that- _ back to that. no, could you please answer that. if _ back to that. no, could you please answer that. if i _ back to that. no, could you please answer that. if i could _ back to that. no, could you please answer that. if i could just - back to that. no, could you please answer that. if i could just finish . answer that. if i could 'ust finish what i was t answer that. if i could 'ust finish what i was saying. _ answer that. if i could 'ust finish what i was saying. if_ answer that. if i could just finish what i was saying. if you - answer that. if i could just finish what i was saying. if you could l what i was saying. if you could answer my _ what i was saying. if you could answer my question _ what i was saying. if you could answer my question that - what i was saying. if you could| answer my question that would what i was saying. if you could - answer my question that would be helpful. answer my question that would be helful. ., . ., ,, ., helpful. the police commissioner said these marches _ helpful. the police commissioner said these marches were - said these marches were overwhelmingly peaceful and his words were echoed from the chief constable from the national police council of chiefs. i’d

constable from the national police council of chiefs.— council of chiefs. i'd like you to answer my _ council of chiefs. i'd like you to answer my question. _ council of chiefs. i'd like you to answer my question. it - council of chiefs. i'd like you to answer my question. it was - answer my question. it was law-abiding _ answer my question. it was law-abiding and _ answer my question. it was law-abiding and peaceful. l answer my question. it was i law-abiding and peaceful. this answer my question. it was - law-abiding and peaceful. this is an law—abiding and peaceful. this is an attempt to reframe. we have people coming from all walks of life, from every corner of society, from all faith groups and none, young and old, marching peacefully. let's rememberwhy old, marching peacefully. let's remember why they are marching. they are marching for an end to a genocide. are marching for an end to a genocide-— are marching for an end to a uenocide. �* ., ., , ., genocide. i'm going to bring an end to it there- — genocide. i'm going to bring an end to it there. i've _ genocide. i'm going to bring an end to it there. i've answered _ genocide. i'm going to bring an end to it there. i've answered this - genocide. i'm going to bring an end to it there. i've answered this in - to it there. i've answered this in so many occasions. _ to it there. i've answered this in so many occasions. i'm - to it there. i've answered this in so many occasions. i'm so - to it there. i've answered this in so many occasions. i'm so sorry| to it there. i've answered this in i so many occasions. i'm so sorry to ask ou so many occasions. i'm so sorry to ask you it _ so many occasions. i'm so sorry to ask you it again- — so many occasions. i'm so sorry to ask you it again. with _ so many occasions. i'm so sorry to ask you it again. with regards - so many occasions. i'm so sorry to ask you it again. with regards to i ask you it again. with regards to the slogan _ ask you it again. with regards to the slogan from _ ask you it again. with regards to the slogan from the _ ask you it again. with regards to the slogan from the river- ask you it again. with regards to the slogan from the river to - ask you it again. with regards to the slogan from the river to the | the slogan from the river to the sea, this is a slogan used by the vast majority of palestinians to describe how their rights are deprived. so whether they live as citizens in the state of israel for under occupation they are living —— not free until they are no longer living under a system of apartheid. to describe it as genocidal as a way we don't listen to what palestinians say. we don't listen to what palestinians sa . �* ., .,

we don't listen to what palestinians sa. �* ., ., , we don't listen to what palestinians sa. ., , say. i'm going to pause you there because i'd _ say. i'm going to pause you there because i'd like _ say. i'm going to pause you there because i'd like to _ say. i'm going to pause you there because i'd like to ask— say. i'm going to pause you there because i'd like to ask you - say. i'm going to pause you there because i'd like to ask you a - because i'd like to ask you a question. i'm not going to get into interpretations of that phrase. what you do understand, mr mrjamal, i know, it's somejewish people are more than happy to hear criticism of israel, but find that phrase offensive and frightening. do you accept that?— offensive and frightening. do you accet that? ~ , accept that? well, look, some people ma sa accept that? well, look, some people may say that — accept that? well, look, some people may say that but _ accept that? well, look, some people may say that but then _ accept that? well, look, some people may say that but then that _ accept that? well, look, some people may say that but then that is - may say that but then that is because what they are doing is ignoring what palestinians say they mean when they chant do not use that chant and use that slogan.— chant and use that slogan. let me ask another— chant and use that slogan. let me ask another question. _ chant and use that slogan. let me ask another question. at - chant and use that slogan. let me ask another question. at every - chant and use that slogan. let me | ask another question. at every one of our marches _ ask another question. at every one of our marches we _ ask another question. at every one of our marches we have _ ask another question. at every one of our marches we have an - ask another question. at every one l of our marches we have an organised bloc of people from thejewish community, 3000 strong, who march with us in every march who do not feel fearful and are there to say we also are calling for a genocide to end. , , . , ., also are calling for a genocide to end. , , ., , ., end. this is about the ones who don't agree _ end. this is about the ones who don't agree with _ end. this is about the ones who don't agree with you. _ end. this is about the ones who don't agree with you. this - end. this is about the ones who don't agree with you. this is - end. this is about the ones who | don't agree with you. this is the ones who don't agree with you are scared. and who are scared. mei!!! scared. and who are scared. well, look, if scared. and who are scared. well, look. if people _

scared. and who are scared. well, look, if people are _ scared. and who are scared. well, look, if people are scared, - scared. and who are scared. well, look, if people are scared, and - scared. and who are scared. well, look, if people are scared, and i l look, if people are scared, and i think when you have the prime minister, when you have the ex home secretary describing these marches, which as i havejust secretary describing these marches, which as i have just said, secretary describing these marches, which as i havejust said, the police are saying are overwhelmingly peaceful, when they describe these as hate marches, islamist mobs, people walking through the streets chanting genocidal slogans, which is not true, then of course that might inculcate a sense of fear. if people were told these are people marching for peace, young and old, calling for peace, young and old, calling for an end to the genocide, there are many thousands ofjewish people marching with them, maybe they wouldn't fear.— marching with them, maybe they wouldn't fear. going back to donna jones wouldn't fear. going back to donna jones briefly _ wouldn't fear. going back to donna jones briefly and _ wouldn't fear. going back to donna jones briefly and finally. _ wouldn't fear. going back to donna jones briefly and finally. there - wouldn't fear. going back to donna jones briefly and finally. there are | jones briefly and finally. there are many, many people who go on these marches who will find it really offensive to be accused by the prime minister of being involved in mob rule. do you accept that, donna jones? i accept there are many peaceful people _ i accept there are many peaceful people taking place who are not committing offences and want their democratic voice and i say that's fine as— democratic voice and i say that's fine as long as you do what you need to do. _

fine as long as you do what you need to do. but— fine as long as you do what you need to do, but you should disassociate yourself _ to do, but you should disassociate yourself with any group that is looking — yourself with any group that is looking to block roads, that are looking — looking to block roads, that are looking to — looking to block roads, that are looking to close bridges across the capital, _ looking to close bridges across the capital, preventing people going about— capital, preventing people going about their daily business. that is what _ about their daily business. that is what the — about their daily business. that is what the prime minister is trying to say. what the prime minister is trying to say mps_ what the prime minister is trying to say. mps need to be able to go about their business and go to their homes and this— their business and go to their homes and this type of fear and intimidation by some, which is affecting — intimidation by some, which is affecting the reputation of the lawful— affecting the reputation of the lawful people who are taking part in that protest, is a great pity. we've all heard _ that protest, is a great pity. we've all heard the message now from pro—palestinian groups particularly mrjamal's group, we have heard it, we know— mrjamal's group, we have heard it, we know it. — mrjamal's group, we have heard it, we know it, we get what they are trying _ we know it, we get what they are trying to — we know it, we get what they are trying to say, but this type of unlawful— trying to say, but this type of unlawful behaviour has to stop and it's what _ unlawful behaviour has to stop and it's what the majority of the british— it's what the majority of the british people want, they want a prime _ british people want, they want a prime minister who sticks up for them _ prime minister who sticks up for them and — prime minister who sticks up for them and says this is not right and them and says this is not right and the money— them and says this is not right and the money it's costing is unacceptable, stop doing it. thank ou ve unacceptable, stop doing it. thank you very much. — unacceptable, stop doing it. thank you very much, both _ unacceptable, stop doing it. thank you very much, both of— unacceptable, stop doing it. thank you very much, both of you, - unacceptable, stop doing it. thank| you very much, both of you, donna jones and benjamal, thank you. if you've had covid, did you think that the virus affected your memory or ability to think straight?

maybe you described it as brain fog. well, new research published in the last half—hour in the new england journal of medicine reports that having covid could lead to a modest cognitive decline — commensurate with a three—point loss in iq, rising to a nine—point loss in io if you ended up in intensive care. we'll talk to the author of the study in a moment as well as someone living with the long—term effects of covid. first, here's kate. could you remember the shapes you've just seen? this is just one test used to research the so—called brain fog associated with covid—i9. from the early stages of the pandemic, some covid patients described being left with long—term changes to how they think, concentrate and remember, but objectively measuring those changes has proved tricky. one large study has attempted to shed light on the issue by assessing the cognitive function of more than 100,000 adults in england. participants completed an online assessment in 2022.

this is one of the eight tests they did, measuring verbal reasoning. other tests looked at things like spatial planning or memory recall, and putting all that together researchers calculated a global cognitive score. that data showed that compared to participants who had never contracted covid—i9, those who had recovered from the virus in up to 12 weeks saw a small cognitive deficit. researchers suggest this is broadly equivalent to a gap of three io points. patients whose symptoms had not resolved after 12 weeks, some of whom may be diagnosed with long covid, saw a greater cognitive deficit. comparing different groups, scientists also concluded those infected in the early stages of the pandemic, when the original strain — or alpha variant — of the virus was dominant, were more greatly impacted, as well as those hospitalised by covid—i9. compared to those who didn't contract covid, patients who needed to be admitted to intensive care performed on average an equivalent of nine io points worse.

now, covid is far from the only virus which can affect cognitive function. it's long been known that severe viral illnesses which result in brain inflammation — or encephalitis — can impair the way patients think. long—term cognitive impairment can even be seen after severe cases of flu, when patients develop acute respiratory distress syndrome. in this case, we have to remember there are some limitations to these findings. those who reported having brain fog were more likely to sign up to complete the assessment in the first place, for example. and we don't yet know whether these gaps in cognitive performance will resolve themselves over time. but those experiencing the long—term effects of covid would hope this research isjust the beginning. a greater understanding of exactly how covid affects our brains — and learning to treat it — is also essential. let's talk to dr adam hampshire, cognitive neuroscientist at imperial college london,

who worked on the study, and drjoanna herman, an infectious diseases consultant who has long covid. welcome, both of you, thank you for being on the programme. first of all, what do you make of this new study? i all, what do you make of this new stud ? ~ �* , ., , study? i think it's really interesting _ study? i think it's really interesting and it - study? i think it's really - interesting and it lends weight study? i think it's really _ interesting and it lends weight and starts filling in the jigsaw piece of the puzzle that is long covid and to really understand how we can manage it and ultimately how we treat it, we really need to understand the pathological processes behind it. stand understand the pathological processes behind it. and obviously ou have processes behind it. and obviously you have long _ processes behind it. and obviously you have long covid, _ processes behind it. and obviously you have long covid, this - processes behind it. and obviously you have long covid, this is - processes behind it. and obviously you have long covid, this is some. processes behind it. and obviously. you have long covid, this is some of the most substantive evidence of an association between having covid and having cognitive issues. what you say that you have had cognitive issues? ., ., say that you have had cognitive issues? . ., , say that you have had cognitive issues? . . , ., say that you have had cognitive issues? . ., , ., ., �* issues? yeah and i still do. you've not me issues? yeah and i still do. you've got me not — issues? yeah and i still do. you've got me not my _ issues? yeah and i still do. you've got me not my best _ issues? yeah and i still do. you've got me not my best day _ issues? yeah and i still do. you've got me not my best day but - issues? yeah and i still do. you've got me not my best day but i've i issues? yeah and i still do. you've i got me not my best day but i've had days, last week i really struggled, i didn't have conversations because they felt too much for me. it's very fluctuating but i got it early on so it's the first virus right at the beginning of the pandemic and i'm

almost in shock it's nearly four years and i still haven't been able to return to work as a consultant. how do you feel about that? there has been a — how do you feel about that? there has been a huge _ how do you feel about that? there has been a huge amount _ how do you feel about that? there has been a huge amount of- has been a huge amount of frustration and having to sit out the pandemic from the sidelines, when as a consultant you should be in the thick of it, but from that there has been a level of acceptance and i started doing other things and working out what i can do within the confines of the new parameters i'm having to live by.— having to live by. what are your symptoms? _ having to live by. what are your symptoms? how— having to live by. what are your symptoms? how are _ having to live by. what are your symptoms? how are you - having to live by. what are your i symptoms? how are you affected? brain fog has been won, a major one, post exertional malaise, or fatigue, which is not being tired all the time, you feel very well —— very unwell with it, i've had palpitations, rapid heart rate, and it's unpredictable, no two days are necessarily the same. dr it's unpredictable, no two days are necessarily the same.— necessarily the same. dr adam hampshire. — necessarily the same. dr adam hampshire, people _ necessarily the same. dr adam hampshire, people are - necessarily the same. dr adam hampshire, people are going l necessarily the same. dr adam | hampshire, people are going to necessarily the same. dr adam i hampshire, people are going to hear about this association between covid and this loss in io points. how

significant would you say your study get? i significant would you say your study net? ~ �* . significant would you say your study tet? ~ �* , ., significant would you say your study net? ~ �* , ., ., significant would you say your study tet? ~ �* , ., ., , significant would you say your study get? i think it's got a number of asects get? i think it's got a number of aspects that _ get? i think it's got a number of aspects that are _ get? i think it's got a number of aspects that are very _ get? i think it's got a number ofj aspects that are very important, get? i think it's got a number of i aspects that are very important, so first of— aspects that are very important, so first of all— aspects that are very important, so first of all we observed this association between slightly poorer memory— association between slightly poorer memory and cognitive function and even _ memory and cognitive function and even relatively short duration covid illness _ even relatively short duration covid illness. that is quite a novel finding _ illness. that is quite a novel finding. we were a bit surprised by it. finding. we were a bit surprised by it on _ finding. we were a bit surprised by it on the — finding. we were a bit surprised by it. on the other hand what is more positive _ it. on the other hand what is more positive as — it. on the other hand what is more positive as we can see that association attenuated, reduced, over time — association attenuated, reduced, over time through the pandemic as we -ot over time through the pandemic as we got onto— over time through the pandemic as we got onto more recent variants, so there — got onto more recent variants, so there is— got onto more recent variants, so there is a _ got onto more recent variants, so there is a positive side there as welt _ there is a positive side there as well. perhaps in terms of long covid. — well. perhaps in terms of long covid, where we looked at people who had longer— covid, where we looked at people who had longer term persistent symptoms, whilst _ had longer term persistent symptoms, whilst we _ had longer term persistent symptoms, whilst we see more pronounced memory and planning _ whilst we see more pronounced memory and planning and cognitive problems in those _ and planning and cognitive problems in those participants, the people whose _ in those participants, the people whose symptoms eventually resolved, those individuals actually perform at the _ those individuals actually perform at the same level as people who had

short duration symptoms. so there are some _ short duration symptoms. so there are some quite promising findings within— are some quite promising findings within there as well. go are some quite promising findings within there as well.— are some quite promising findings within there as well.- that l within there as well. go on. that comment does _ within there as well. go on. that comment does give _ within there as well. go on. that comment does give me - within there as well. go on. that comment does give me hope i within there as well. go on. that i comment does give me hope because within there as well. go on. that - comment does give me hope because we don't know, i do feel i'm on the path of recovery and i'm certainly much better that i was a few months ago and i look back, not week on week but month on month and see how i've done, but to hear positive news like that is really helpful and inspiring and vital because you don't want to be in brain fog for the rest of your life, unique —— when you used to think quite well. can i ask about the term brain fog? it feels like an inferior phrase for what you are experiencing and have found in your study. is that fair? yeah, it's like long covid became a phrase that the public and those with long covid point, so it's postacute covert symptom —— post postacute covert symptom -- post acute covid postacute covert symptom —— post acute covid syndrome and brain fog, it's like you can't think clearly, your memory can be poor, reading an

article could be too much, having a conversation can be too much. writing an e—mail can be too much. it's like the fog clears and a few hours later or the next day you wake up hours later or the next day you wake up and you can give an interview or do something else. [30 up and you can give an interview or do something else.— up and you can give an interview or do something else. do you think this is uniuue do something else. do you think this is unique to — do something else. do you think this is unique to covid _ do something else. do you think this is unique to covid in _ do something else. do you think this is unique to covid in terms _ do something else. do you think this is unique to covid in terms of- do something else. do you think this is unique to covid in terms of the i is unique to covid in terms of the cognitive impairment? i is unique to covid in terms of the cognitive impairment?— is unique to covid in terms of the cognitive impairment? i don't think it's uniuue cognitive impairment? i don't think it's unique to _ cognitive impairment? i don't think it's unique to covid _ cognitive impairment? i don't think it's unique to covid but _ cognitive impairment? i don't think it's unique to covid but it's - it's unique to covid but it's probably— it's unique to covid but it's probably more common, perhaps more pronounced _ probably more common, perhaps more pronounced. that said, our study can't _ pronounced. that said, our study can't really — pronounced. that said, our study can't really address that question because — can't really address that question because what we didn't do is look at other— because what we didn't do is look at other respiratory illnesses. gk. other respiratory illnesses. ok. joanna, other respiratory illnesses. ok. joanna. as _ other respiratory illnesses. ok. joanna. as a — other respiratory illnesses. ok. joanna, as a society _ other respiratory illnesses. ok. joanna, as a society i _ other respiratory illnesses. cia joanna, as a society i want to other respiratory illnesses. (zjil. joanna, as a society i want to ask you, finally, what adjustments do you, finally, what adjustments do you think we need to make, if any, to make sure that people like you can live and work in a fulfilled and meaningful way? can live and work in a fulfilled and meaningfulway? i can live and work in a fulfilled and meaningful way?— can live and work in a fulfilled and meaningful way? meaningfulway? i think there needs to be much more _ meaningfulway? i think there needs to be much more support. _ meaningfulway? ! think there needs to be much more support. help- meaningfulway? i think there needs to be much more support. help for. to be much more support. help for people _ to be much more support. help for people with covid remains a postcode

lottery. _ people with covid remains a postcode lottery. there are clinics all over the country, about 80, may be more clinics. _ the country, about 80, may be more clinics. but— the country, about 80, may be more clinics, but access is really variable. _ clinics, but access is really variable. in south—west london, my health_ variable. in south—west london, my health has— variable. in south—west london, my health has been diabolical because there _ health has been diabolical because there hasn't been a good clinic, whereas— there hasn't been a good clinic, whereas in— there hasn't been a good clinic, whereas in some parts of north—west london _ whereas in some parts of north—west london the _ whereas in some parts of north—west london the help is excellent so you need _ london the help is excellent so you need support, you need occupational health_ need support, you need occupational health support to help people get back to _ health support to help people get back to work and you need to continue _ back to work and you need to continue to have funding foot in both— continue to have funding foot in both two — continue to have funding foot in both two clinics and research and the research needs to translate into care and _ the research needs to translate into care and management and hopefully for drugs _ care and management and hopefully for drugs to know what to target but also for _ for drugs to know what to target but also for non—pharmaceutical interventions that have been proven to have _ interventions that have been proven to have benefit, yeah.— to have benefit, yeah. thank you both very much _ to have benefit, yeah. thank you both very much for _ to have benefit, yeah. thank you both very much for coming i to have benefit, yeah. thank you both very much for coming in, i to have benefit, yeah. thank you i both very much for coming in, thank you and continued success with your recovery as well, thank you. the services that your council provides — children's care, housing, parks, kids' playgrounds, libraries, bin collections, adult social care — aren't luxuries but arguably the bedrock of a civilised society.

so when a report out today says there's a risk that half the councils across england could become bankrupt over the next five years, we should take notice. the local government information unit states that against a backdrop of a decade of cuts in government funding to local councils, plus inflation, plus rising demand for services, the funding situation of councils is "desperate". and residents are often being asked to pay more in council tax, but they're getting less. we'll talk about the possible solutions to this funding crisis in a moment. first, here's ben to explain the picture. we already knew that many councils in england were in financial difficulties. but today's report from the local government information unit reveals the sheer scale of the problem. 9% — almost one in ten of those surveyed — said that, as things stand, they were likely to have to effectively declare bankruptcy within the next year, and more than half said they might have to do so within the next five years. what does it mean for you?

well, if a council goes bankrupt, it will have to cut local services to balance its books and central government might have to take over. though, as this shows, almost a third of english councils say they are already being forced to cut spending on parks and leisure services, and also on arts and culture. 20% are cutting libraries, i6% are cutting adult social care, and ia% are cutting youth centres. so, why has it come to this? government ministers such as the levelling up secretary michael gove have pointed to poor financial management at individual councils such as birmingham, which went bust last september, and that's clearly been a factor. yet local government experts say there's a broader structural problem, too, that ministers cannot brush aside. councils were hit particularly hard by central government spending cuts in the austerity era after 2010. this shows the deep fall in councils' core spending power over that period — almost a quarter.

it is now rising, but it's still projected to be lower in real terms in 2025 than it was in 2010. and this doesn't fully convey how severely some councils in certain parts of the country have been squeezed over the past decade. this, from the institute for fiscal studies, shows the percentage gap between local government funding across different areas of england and their estimated local needs, based on various metrics such as population density and the share of children in deprivation. yellow shows needs being more than met. purple shows a big shortfall — as much as 25% between funding and need. and look where the purple is concentrated — quite a lot in london, but also in the west midlands, in the north west and the north east. these areas are where the conservatives pledged in their 2019 manifesto to level up. and by the way, those services which are being cut — youth clubs, parks, arts,

libraries, etc, are the kind of services which polling shows are very important to people's sense of local well—being. one of the most direct levers the government has for levelling up, and it's got really bold, ambitious targets on some of these things, on health, education and economic development, the biggest lever it's got, the most direct lever, is local funding. and if you don't grasp that issue, are you really going to be able to deliver the levelling up agenda? michael gove did announce an additional £500 million of funding for local government last month, but experts say this is very unlikely to be sufficient to solve the problem, especially if the chancellor, in next week's budget, pencils in more cuts to public service spending, including on councils for the next parliament. there's a growing call for a fundamental overhaul of how councils are funded, including by reforming the regressive and severely outdated council tax system, and by creating a central government funding formula that fully takes into account the needs of different areas. neither of these things will be

politically simple, of course, but experts do tend to agree that what we have now is unlikely to be sustainable. let's talk to the chair of the local government association shaun davies who is also a labour council and to a conservative councillor for croydon, jason cummings, here in the studio. john davis, to what extent are some of these councils in financial difficulty just are some of these councils in financial difficultyjust badly run financial difficulty just badly run financial difficultyjust badly run —— shaun davies? financial difficulty 'ust badly run -- shaun davies?_ financial difficulty 'ust badly run -- shaun davies? . , . -- shaun davies? some councils have had triggers — -- shaun davies? some councils have had triggers towards _ -- shaun davies? some councils have had triggers towards intervention i had triggers towards intervention but the vast majority of councils up and down the country regardless of political persuasion and geography are well managed and what this is a simple maths. you are seeing an increase in demand for services, the increased costs of providing those

services, at the same time the costs and income is going down. you are seeing councils using reserves, reserves can only be used once, council tax being doubled over the last ten years but we fundamentally come back to the point there is less money going from whitehall to the town hall, so taxpayers are paying more locally and getting less local services back. do you accept that, jason cummings, thatis do you accept that, jason cummings, that is to do with the cuts from central government to local government? hate central government to local government?— central government to local covernment? ., ., ,, , government? we have two issues, you mentioned the — government? we have two issues, you mentioned the wider _ government? we have two issues, you mentioned the wider sector _ government? we have two issues, you mentioned the wider sector issues i mentioned the wider sector issues and i_ mentioned the wider sector issues and i don't — mentioned the wider sector issues and i don't think anyone in local government will say councils are awash— government will say councils are awash with money, that's certainly not the _ awash with money, that's certainly not the case. as get, no council has had to— not the case. as get, no council has had to issue — not the case. as get, no council has had to issue a — not the case. as get, no council has had to issue a section one will phone — had to issue a section one will phone notice effectively going bankrupt, they didn't cause that position— bankrupt, they didn't cause that position themselves. —— section 114. they— position themselves. —— section 114. they bankrupted themselves by poor choices. _ they bankrupted themselves by poor choices. , ., they bankrupted themselves by poor choices. , . ., ,., choices. they might argue the reason the were choices. they might argue the reason they were trying _ choices. they might argue the reason they were trying to — choices. they might argue the reason they were trying to make _ choices. they might argue the reason they were trying to make investment| they were trying to make investment choices was because central government funding had been cut by half in previous ten years. do you

accept that?— accept that? they did make that oint, accept that? they did make that point, however, _ accept that? they did make that point, however, number- accept that? they did make that point, however, number of i point, however, number of independent reports, one commissioned by the lga that sean shares. _ commissioned by the lga that sean shares, they have clearly stated this was— shares, they have clearly stated this was not down to government cuts. _ this was not down to government cuts. it— this was not down to government cuts. it was— this was not down to government cuts, it was down to poor decision—making and poor governance at a local— decision—making and poor governance at a local level. in fact, even now there _ at a local level. in fact, even now there is— at a local level. in fact, even now there is a — at a local level. in fact, even now there is a live police investigation is still— there is a live police investigation is still on — there is a live police investigation is still on going into what actually happened at croydon. do is still on going into what actually happened at croydon.— is still on going into what actually happened at croydon. do you accept what shona — happened at croydon. do you accept what shona says, _ happened at croydon. do you accept what shona says, there _ happened at croydon. do you accept what shona says, there are - happened at croydon. do you accept what shona says, there are parties l what shona says, there are parties of all colours in financial difficulty in this report today from the local government information unit suggests half of them are so worried they are at risk of being declared bankrupt over the next parliament? i declared bankrupt over the next parliament?— declared bankrupt over the next parliament? , , . , parliament? i fully accept councils across the country, _ parliament? i fully accept councils across the country, and _ parliament? i fully accept councils across the country, and i've i parliament? i fully accept councilsl across the country, and i've spoken to a lot _ across the country, and i've spoken to a lot of— across the country, and i've spoken to a lot of them and worked with the lga to a lot of them and worked with the lga and _ to a lot of them and worked with the lga and worked as a peer mentor for the lga. _ lga and worked as a peer mentor for the lga. are — lga and worked as a peer mentor for the lga, are under significant pressure _ the lga, are under significant pressure and we need to have a conversation both about the level of funding _ conversation both about the level of funding and level of responsibility that councils have and whether those two things _ that councils have and whether those two things actually match up and that funding is currently being distributed fairly, yes.- that funding is currently being distributed fairly, yes. right, so ickin: u- distributed fairly, yes. right, so picking up on — distributed fairly, yes. right, so picking up on that _ distributed fairly, yes. right, so picking up on that point, - distributed fairly, yes. right, so picking up on that point, sean i picking up on that point, sean davis, that sounded from jason

cummings like a plea for potentially a fairer funding cummings like a plea for potentially a fairerfunding formula cummings like a plea for potentially a fairer funding formula where councils get money based on needs. we need a fairfunding councils get money based on needs. we need a fair funding formula, councils get money based on needs. we need a fairfunding formula, of course, victoria, but we also need long—term certainty. we are in the sixth year of a one year funding settlement so each and every year councils have no idea how much money they will have after the 13th month ahead. that is bizarre. you wouldn't run an organisation or business like that, why would you run councils like that? what we are also seeing is a huge impact on other public services. you can't have safer streets if councils can't invest in cctv. you can't have house—building without councils being able to invest and support the housing market. you can't have a thriving nhs without social care supporting and you can't have kids getting to school and thriving in school without a decent send system. all of those things run straight through

local government and local government finance and also what we are seeing increasingly, as the report sets out today, is people who don't use social care are also seeing huge reductions in services like libraries, like leisure, like theatres, like museums, like the ability to cut the grass in your neighbourhoods that you living. all of those things matter. and what we are seeing is people paying twice as much for council tax as they did ten years ago but getting less in return. , ., , ., years ago but getting less in return. , ., ,., , ., ., return. jason cummings, what other solutions are — return. jason cummings, what other solutions are there? _ return. jason cummings, what other solutions are there? would - return. jason cummings, what other solutions are there? would you i solutions are there? would you appeal to the government to look at the outdated evaluations regarding council tax which are now 30 years out of date? hate council tax which are now 30 years out of date?— out of date? we have seen a significant — out of date? we have seen a significant change _ out of date? we have seen a significant change over- out of date? we have seen a significant change over that l out of date? we have seen a i significant change over that period of time. _ significant change over that period of time, both in terms of demographics, where people are living. _ demographics, where people are living, and what services are needed investment— living, and what services are needed investment in those areas. i agree a reset— investment in those areas. i agree a reset needs — investment in those areas. i agree a reset needs to take place but that's a very— reset needs to take place but that's a very long — reset needs to take place but that's a very long and complicated process to indicate. —

a very long and complicated process to indicate. so a very long and complicated process to indicate. ., ., a very long and complicated process toindicate. ., ., ., , to indicate. so what other solutions are there? one _ to indicate. so what other solutions are there? one of— to indicate. so what other solutions are there? one of the _ to indicate. so what other solutions are there? one of the solution i to indicate. so what other solutions| are there? one of the solution sean mentioned. — are there? one of the solution sean mentioned, longer— are there? one of the solution sean mentioned, longer term _ are there? one of the solution sean mentioned, longer term deals, i are there? one of the solution sean mentioned, longer term deals, so l mentioned, longerterm deals, so councils— mentioned, longerterm deals, so councils are — mentioned, longerterm deals, so councils are more able to plan for the future. — councils are more able to plan for the future, to make changes in budget— the future, to make changes in budget and adult social care and children's— budget and adult social care and children's services these take years to do— children's services these take years to do safely so it cannot be on a year— to do safely so it cannot be on a year by— to do safely so it cannot be on a year by year basis. a transformation plan needs— year by year basis. a transformation plan needs to be planned three or four years — plan needs to be planned three or four years ahead. i would back a call for— four years ahead. i would back a call for a — four years ahead. i would back a call for a longer term settlement for local— call for a longer term settlement for local government to have the surety _ for local government to have the surety to — for local government to have the surety to plan ahead.— for local government to have the surety to plan ahead. would you also sa s scra surety to plan ahead. would you also says scrap having _ surety to plan ahead. would you also says scrap having to _ surety to plan ahead. would you also says scrap having to compete - surety to plan ahead. would you also says scrap having to compete for i says scrap having to compete for funding because it is not a waste of time? it is if you don't win the funding. i time? it is if you don't win the fundinu. ., �* ~' funding. i don't think we necessarily _ funding. i don't think we necessarily are - funding. i don't think we i necessarily are competing for funding. i don't think we - necessarily are competing for the core funding that councils have. if you look— core funding that councils have. if you look at — core funding that councils have. if you look at something like levelling up you look at something like levelling up money. — you look at something like levelling up money, croydon has been given £18.5— up money, croydon has been given {18.5 million of levelling up money and £18.5 million of levelling up money and that— {18.5 million of levelling up money and that was a competitive process but that's— and that was a competitive process but that's not the core services for council. _ but that's not the core services for council. we — but that's not the core services for council. we are not competing over that money. — council. we are not competing over that money-— that money. your final message, then, to whoever _ that money. your final message, then, to whoever wins _ that money. your final message, then, to whoever wins the i that money. your final message, then, to whoever wins the next i then, to whoever wins the next election when it comes to local government funding? you election when it comes to local government funding? you make a very interestin: government funding? you make a very interesting point _ government funding? you make a very interesting point here _ government funding? you make a very interesting point here which _ government funding? you make a very interesting point here which is - interesting point here which is that no party—

interesting point here which is that no party at — interesting point here which is that no party at this moment in time is putting _ no party at this moment in time is putting forward policies that say there _ putting forward policies that say there is — putting forward policies that say there is going to be a being increasing local govern funding. i would _ increasing local govern funding. i would say — increasing local govern funding. i would say we need to review the formula — would say we need to review the formula and have longer term deals. a final— formula and have longer term deals. a final quick— formula and have longer term deals. a final quick word from you, sean davies. ~ ., ., ., davies. we need a new local deal, fresh reset — davies. we need a new local deal, fresh reset between _ davies. we need a new local deal, fresh reset between local - davies. we need a new local deal, fresh reset between local and i davies. we need a new local deal, l fresh reset between local and centre working together, governing alongside one another. the ultimate prize is residents, taxpayers, they are all the same, they live in communities and need to work together to deliver improvements at a local level so that we can support and rebuild britain.— and rebuild britain. thank you very much, and rebuild britain. thank you very much. both — and rebuild britain. thank you very much. both of— and rebuild britain. thank you very much, both of you, _ and rebuild britain. thank you very much, both of you, for _ and rebuild britain. thank you very much, both of you, for being i and rebuild britain. thank you very much, both of you, for being on i and rebuild britain. thank you very | much, both of you, for being on the programme, we appreciate it, and talking to our audience, thank you. in michigan last night, bothjoe biden and donald trump comfortably won their parties�* primaries — a rerun of the 2020 election looking even more inevitable. but despite a comfortable 81% of the vote, there will be pause for reflection for the sitting president. a protest vote — for the "uncommitted" option on the ballot paper — attracted more than 100,000 supporters in michigan. it's a critical swing state with the largest proportion

of arab americans in the country — and an active movement urging biden to take a much stronger stance against israel's military campaign in gaza, performed better than expected. one analyst says he is losing the votes of arab americans, muslim americans and younger people. meanwhile, the future of the republican party is also in the spotlight today, with mitch mcconnell — the longest—serving senate leader in us history — announcing he's stepping down from the post in november. allies of donald trump have rejoiced at the news — the two have not spoken since the capitol riots. and he has declined to endorse the trump 202a campaign. could his departure lead to the party aligning itself even more closely to the maga movement? i'm joined now by ben tulchin, who's a pollster and expert on us elections. thank you forjoining us. how big a risk tojoe biden is his stance on israel? risk to joe biden is his stance on israel? ,., ., . ., .,

israel? good evening, victoria. i thinkjoe biden's _ israel? good evening, victoria. i thinkjoe biden's position - israel? good evening, victoria. i thinkjoe biden's position on i israel? good evening, victoria. i l thinkjoe biden's position on israel in february 202a may not have an impact in november of 202a. the general election is a long way away and there is a long time between now and there is a long time between now and then. the other thing that's going to happen between now and then is, as you noted, it is more and more likely thatjoe biden will face a rematch against donald trump and it will not just a rematch against donald trump and it will notjust be a rematch against donald trump and it will not just be joe a rematch against donald trump and it will notjust bejoe biden getting judged against himself, he will be evaluated in contrast with donald trump and donald trump a's record when it comes to arab americans is quite stark in terms of what he has said and done against muslim americans. once we shift to a general election which will happen soon enough betweenjoe biden and donald trump, joe biden's situation will change in terms of drawing a contrast to donald trump and everything donald trump has done. you don't expect mr biden to shift his position on israel dramatically

at all? he his position on israel dramatically at all? ., . his position on israel dramatically at all? . ., his position on israel dramatically at all? . , , ., ., at all? he has been a long-time supporter _ at all? he has been a long-time supporter of _ at all? he has been a long-time supporter of israel _ at all? he has been a long-time supporter of israel for _ at all? he has been a long-time supporter of israel for decades, | supporter of israel for decades, he's been an advocate for israel and he's been an advocate for israel and he is standing up for israel's right to exist against hamas and its terrorist activities. and so i don't see him changing his position. now look, he is being increasingly more critical of israel's behaviour in the conflict with hamas but overall he's been steadfastly a supporter of israel and i don't see that changing. but what will changes joe biden highlighting donald trump's record towards muslim americans and arab—americans and will remind voters over the next several months donald trump tried to ban muslims from going into the united states and donald trump said many racist and donald trump said many racist and xenophobic things directed towards arab—americans and muslim americans. that's the shift in dynamic i foresee for the next several months.— dynamic i foresee for the next several months. l ., ., ~ . ., several months. what do the michigan results tell us, _ several months. what do the michigan results tell us, do _ several months. what do the michigan results tell us, do you _ several months. what do the michigan results tell us, do you think? -

several months. what do the michigan results tell us, do you think? i - results tell us, do you think? i think it means we are one step closer to a rematch between donald trump and joe biden. joe biden got a larger share of the democratic vote than donald trump did of the republican vote so both are winning comfortably in their primary is. donald trump still hasn't consolidated the vote, nikki haley his main opponent is still getting a decent share of the republican primary vote and that vote will be “p primary vote and that vote will be up for grabs primary vote and that vote will be upfor grabs in primary vote and that vote will be up for grabs in the general election so he will have to try and convince nikki haley voters to vote for him and joe biden will have an opportunity to win them over to his side. so we shall see how that plays out over the next several months. regarding mitch mcconnell, what do you think that tells us about where power lies in the republican party? it is a changing of the guard, right, and it is a generational shift. we are seeing trump and his maga followers increasing their influence in the party and it's most

likely that a trump support is going