this is bbc news. the headlines — the uk has registered a record number of new coronavirus infections. more than 78,500 cases were reported in the past 2a hours, the highest figure since the pandemic began. germany's new chancellor said his country would defend itself against a violent minority opposed to coronavirus vaccinations. olaf scholz�*s comments come as police conducted a series of raids in the city of dresden in saxony. president biden has been inspecting the devastation caused by tornadoes in the state of kentucky. he's promised federal aid to rebuild communities. at least 7a people died in the state and 1a others elsewhere.

hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me is the broadcaster henry bonsu alongside chief executive of the public affairs group cicero, iain anderson. let's delve into some of tomorrow's front pages, starting with... the financial times leads on covid cases hitting a record 78,000, the highest number of positive tests since the pandemic began. the daily telegraph writes that borisjohnson and chris whitty urge the public to scale back their socialising in the run—up to christmas. the i adds that the chief medical officer is telling the nation not to "mix with people you don't have to". the guardian also leads on this story, writing that the prime minister continues to insist formal restrictions

on gatherings are unnecessary. the daily express writes that mrjohnson is urging people to "think ca refully" about going to christmas parties. and the metro reports on the mortuary vulture david fuller, who will die injail after abusing more than 100 corpses of women and murdering two women. so, let's begin. henry, kick us off tonight with the front of the financial times. covid cases hit record 78,000 as 0micron sweeps the country. fix, cases hit record 78,000 as omicron sweeps the country.— sweeps the country. a record date with that figure _ sweeps the country. a record date with that figure and _ sweeps the country. a record date with that figure and the _ sweeps the country. a record date with that figure and the case - with that figure and the case numbers are doubling every few days and it accuses the pro—minister of mixed messaging when it comes to socialising. mixing with friends and family wherever —— where if the professor struck a much more

cautious note and being a business to favour our holiday and the fact that businesses are very concerned that businesses are very concerned that a lockdown by stealth is being imposed but where is the support? where is the backing businesses had for the first year or so of the pandemic was made and of course that went away a few months ago and they seem to be saying this is a real concern that they are not getting the support. it's very interesting because if you saw the press conference earlier today, you will have seen the chief medical officer outlined a number of scenarios. best case scenario is 2000 people in hospital a day. worst case scenario is 6000, 2000 more than the peak we had injanuary and february and warning very strongly that we should not jump warning very strongly that we should notjump on any indication from the neighbourhood that 0micron is much more mild than delta because of the doubling because of the widespread figures and the phenomenal increase

that chris woody said in 0micron infections we will see over the next few weeks. infections we will see over the next few weeks— infections we will see over the next few weeke— infections we will see over the next few weeks. ., ., , ., , , few weeks. notable actually but with a si of the few weeks. notable actually but with a sip of the tongue _ few weeks. notable actually but with a sip of the tongue as _ few weeks. notable actually but with a sip of the tongue as he _ few weeks. notable actually but with a sip of the tongue as he threw - a sip of the tongue as he threw everybody off saying there had been 780,000 infections. it was not as bad as that but let's face it, 78,000 is still very serious because evenif 78,000 is still very serious because even if this is a milder illness and we don't know yet, that would still mean by definition more people will go to hospital because a number of infected people will be so much larger. infected people will be so much laruer. ~ ., infected people will be so much larer, ~ ., ., infected people will be so much laruer. ~ ., ., , larger. we are looking at graphs that we have — larger. we are looking at graphs that we have not _ larger. we are looking at graphs that we have not actually - larger. we are looking at graphs that we have not actually seen l that we have not actually seen before — that we have not actually seen before in — that we have not actually seen before in this pandemic. wrought chris_ before in this pandemic. wrought chris woody in his next slide please mama _ chris woody in his next slide please mama at _ chris woody in his next slide please mama at the press conference today showed _ mama at the press conference today showed us _ mama at the press conference today showed us is pretty much whatjenny harris had _ showed us is pretty much whatjenny harris had said earlier in the day that we — harris had said earlier in the day that we now have on exponential rise

in cases _ that we now have on exponential rise in cases it's — that we now have on exponential rise in cases. it'sjust a few that we now have on exponential rise in cases. it's just a few days ago that we were being told that the omicron — that we were being told that the omicron impact would sort of double every— omicron impact would sort of double every two _ omicron impact would sort of double every two days. we are now being told that _ every two days. we are now being told that the impact may double in it significantly less than two days. and as _ it significantly less than two days. and as henry says, for anybody running — and as henry says, for anybody running a — and as henry says, for anybody running a business right now, anybody— running a business right now, anybody singing about how they want to interact _ anybody singing about how they want to interact with friends or family, this is— to interact with friends or family, this is a — to interact with friends or family, this is a time of year where, my goodness, — this is a time of year where, my goodness, after last christmas, we are ali— goodness, after last christmas, we are all desperate to interact and be with friends and family again and of course _ with friends and family again and of course everyone's plans are now completely up in the air. it is fully— completely up in the air. it is fully understandable, the public health— fully understandable, the public health messages are pretty clear and as we _ health messages are pretty clear and as we say, _ health messages are pretty clear and as we say, chris woody could not have _ as we say, chris woody could not have been— as we say, chris woody could not have been clearer to limit the level of interaction that you have. but that is— of interaction that you have. but that is going to have a direct impact — that is going to have a direct impact on _ that is going to have a direct impact on the economy and i think

government will have to think pretty quickly— government will have to think pretty quickly about whether or not the kind of— quickly about whether or not the kind of support measures like furlough, _ kind of support measures like furlough, like delay taxes, like delay— furlough, like delay taxes, like delay things like local taxes might have to _ delay things like local taxes might have to be on the table again. but can we _ have to be on the table again. but can we afford equipment interesting debate, _ can we afford equipment interesting debate, that one. let�*s can we afford equipment interesting debate, that one.— debate, that one. let's go to the guardian- _ debate, that one. let's go to the guardian. warnings _ debate, that one. let's go to the guardian. warnings to _ debate, that one. let's go to the guardian. warnings to cut - debate, that one. let's go to the guardian. warnings to cut back. debate, that one. let's go to the | guardian. warnings to cut back on socialising as covid cases hit record high. interested in your thoughts on this because we have had the first minister in scotland who has been prepared to kind of impose restrictions when required saying she is as able to behave a certain way and borisjohnson she is as able to behave a certain way and boris johnson saying way and borisjohnson saying the same thing. neither of them seems terribly keen on a re—imposing restrictions even though some of the specialists and we heard from chris whitty saying we should make a case for a limited short—term ticket break as we have had before between now and christmas eve so the

pressure is eased and then over the christmas period we can reassess. by then we might have a clear idea about whether the infection is serious or not and then proceed from there but saying this kind of standoffish approach, she argues, is simply going to worsen the problem when we face it. because we cannot prevent the problem.— prevent the problem. that's 'ust it. the problem — prevent the problem. that's 'ust it. the problem of i prevent the problem. that's 'ust it. the problem of that t prevent the problem. that's 'ust it. the problem of that is h prevent the problem. that'sjust it. the problem of that is political- prevent the problem. that'sjust it. the problem of that is political and| the problem of that is political and let's cut _ the problem of that is political and let's cut them some slack here. we are now— let's cut them some slack here. we are now two — let's cut them some slack here. we are now two years into this and yet we get _ are now two years into this and yet we get a _ are now two years into this and yet we get a nether wave and suddenly the worst— we get a nether wave and suddenly the worst wave by any definition, the worst wave by any definition, the worst— the worst wave by any definition, the worst numbers we have ever seen. that's_ the worst numbers we have ever seen. that's when_ the worst numbers we have ever seen. that's when they think —— make things mandatory in what we have just talked about, support packages for business, support packages for individuals, when you may things mandatory, the call comes really quickly— mandatory, the call comes really quickly to— mandatory, the call comes really quickly to put in place though sopport— quickly to put in place though support packages and those may not be affordable. and every country is

going _ be affordable. and every country is going to _ be affordable. and every country is going to face this was up the other thing _ going to face this was up the other thing to— going to face this was up the other thing to know is we saw this last christmas, — thing to know is we saw this last christmas, no politician wants to cancel _ christmas, no politician wants to cancel christmas. but christmas, no politician wants to cancel christmas.— cancel christmas. but they did it and they were — cancel christmas. but they did it and they were forced _ cancel christmas. but they did it and they were forced to - cancel christmas. but they did it and they were forced to do - cancel christmas. but they did it and they were forced to do it - cancel christmas. but they did it | and they were forced to do it and the decision at the time was if only we had acted sooner, he would not have been as miserable and brutal as it was. i would not learning from our previous mistakes? i it was. i would not learning from our previous mistakes?- it was. i would not learning from our previous mistakes? i missed the last christmas with _ our previous mistakes? i missed the last christmas with my _ our previous mistakes? i missed the last christmas with my dad - our previous mistakes? i missed the last christmas with my dad and - our previous mistakes? i missed the last christmas with my dad and he . last christmas with my dad and he passed _ last christmas with my dad and he passed away in the summer. you know, we had _ passed away in the summer. you know, we had eight _ passed away in the summer. you know, we had eight zumba christmas what it was at _ we had eight zumba christmas what it was at the _ we had eight zumba christmas what it was at the same. everyone is hurting _ was at the same. everyone is hurtinu. , , ., ., ., , hurting. henry. the guardian to be fair is not saying _ hurting. henry. the guardian to be fair is not saying or _ hurting. henry. the guardian to be fair is not saying or demanding - fair is not saying or demanding anyone impose restrictions but it is kind of putting it out there in a way that is hard for chris whitty because he is adviser and is not allowed to say because is not how the relationship works, if i were the relationship works, if i were the prime minister i'll be doing this, hejust have the prime minister i'll be doing this, he just have to resent that advice in private with a range of options and ministers had to decide. but in a sense, politicians and i

said to the labour spokesman earlier saying we will follow medical advice, that's a great excuse to say actually we don't want to take these painful decisions because we know however the public will be but is it possible the public will be angry if they don't take them equipment i know we are asking a different question here.— know we are asking a different auestion here. ,, ., ,, question here. think about it. think back to march _ question here. think about it. think back to march 2020 _ question here. think about it. think back to march 2020 when _ question here. think about it. think back to march 2020 when we - question here. think about it. think back to march 2020 when we were l back to march 2020 when we were getting warnings about this virus and we were hearing that it might be and we were hearing that it might be a global pandemic. remember that day of the 23rd of march. now that is x equals nine because people are now saying after the event and the prime minister might cause all cats in hindsight, you should've done it a week earlier or two weeks earlier and is that we had all those mass events and then we had that first wave. then people will be looking very carefully and very closely at the government policy decisions and the government policy decisions and the timing of those decisions given what was known at the particular moment when the prime minister

decided now for a lock down and therefore is a good break and let's have five days before christmas which he did last year and then we had spikes injanuary and february this year. it was very important today that we had the medical director for today that we had the medical directorfor nhs england because unlike chris whitty and boris johnson we don't see her very often and she speaks in very warm, very friendly, primary care terms and talking about her own christmas and her own socialising and asking her children to forgive her and tell people if they were heading to a study in this weekend, better to go for a boosterjet. that's a real language and might cut through will stop not preaching or lecturing and people might connect as a good quote in the guardian. good they chose that. g , ., ., , in the guardian. good they chose that. , ., ., , , ., ,, that. just on the i, a very stark headhne that. just on the i, a very stark headline and they _ that. just on the i, a very stark headline and they put - that. just on the i, a very stark headline and they put in - that. just on the i, a very stark headline and they put in a - that. just on the i, a very stark headline and they put in a very that. just on the i, a very stark- headline and they put in a very bold print, a rather bolder print than the use on the front of the paper or at least they say for limited occasions. lots bullet points before

and what you make of it? is a occasions. lots bullet points before and what you make of it?— and what you make of it? is a very aood and what you make of it? is a very good thing — and what you make of it? is a very good thing because _ and what you make of it? is a very good thing because people, - and what you make of it? is a very good thing because people, if- and what you make of it? is a very good thing because people, if you| good thing because people, if you look at the way in which social media has responded in the weeks or couple of weeks since omicron became part of our language in our regular everyday vocabulary, people have been talking about mixed messages and it's confusing and we are not quite sure and it's mild and look at the africa and blah blah blah. that's what we need much clearer messages because everybody is saying i don't know what to do so ijust want to make up my own mind. when a paper does this, bold headline, don't mess with friends unless you have to and gives you one, two, three, four, five, six key headlines everyone can understand and it really helps. it really helps it cut through the waffle and the short term is that politicians often use to guide and as a compass. and that is what i think it is such a good headline because of that. just

interested _ headline because of that. just interested in _ headline because of that. just interested in this _ headline because of that. just interested in this because part of the paper is is not about what's in the paper is is not about what's in the paper but also how they communicate. interested with you as a public affairs professional and i spoke to a journalist about this year the papers he he said she actually rather likes the distinctive style the i have developed as it's almost a kind of by default because it is again part of the kind of strict aversion of what was once the independent online but is still very focusing on what they are doing at the bare minimum. what do you make of it because it's quite a stark approach to the front page and at the end is to the front page and at the end is to the front page it appears on shelves and have to grab people bustling attention when they are in the news section? that's it. it's a solid newspaper and its — that's it. it's a solid newspaper and its weight. fora that's it. it's a solid newspaper and its weight. for a tweet age. so it's very— and its weight. for a tweet age. so it's very arresting. whether or not peopie are — it's very arresting. whether or not people are turning beyond the front page. _ people are turning beyond the front page. i'm _ people are turning beyond the front page, i'm not quite sure. but in terms— page, i'm not quite sure. but in terms of— page, i'm not quite sure. but in terms of making a point the most

important — terms of making a point the most important story of the day and this is a most _ important story of the day and this is a most important story of the day, _ is a most important story of the day, it has— is a most important story of the day, it has its impact. interested in -aassin day, it has its impact. interested in passing notice _ day, it has its impact. interested in passing notice as _ day, it has its impact. interested in passing notice as we _ day, it has its impact. interested in passing notice as we talk- in passing notice as we talk about the metro and it does not have covid on it at all which is very interesting so maybe it's got to the point where itjust interesting so maybe it's got to the point where it just thinks interesting so maybe it's got to the point where itjust thinks there is too much covid but it has served lewis hamilton and has the terrible abuser who was assaulting corpses and how he is going to die injail. but that's it. so as we want to paper that has got covid on the front and it is the telegraph and this is fascinating. it is not the top story we talk about but the second story on the telegraph, tory backbench power brokers abandon johnson over covid. so backbench power brokers abandon johnson over covid.— johnson over covid. so this is as all was dubbed _ johnson over covid. so this is as all was dubbed influential- johnson over covid. so this is as all was dubbed influential 9022 | all was dubbed influential 9022 committee, this is the committee run by tory— committee, this is the committee run by tory backbenchers designed to test sentiment across the

conservative party. the telegraph is not a _ conservative party. the telegraph is not a bit _ conservative party. the telegraph is not a bit of— conservative party. the telegraph is not a bit of analysis and it will appear that every single member of the executive, those that run the committee, voted against the plan for vaccine — committee, voted against the plan for vaccine passports. last night when _ for vaccine passports. last night when 100 — for vaccine passports. last night when 100 conservatives defied the whip _ when 100 conservatives defied the whip. now that it's pretty sniffing and it— whip. now that it's pretty sniffing and it also— whip. now that it's pretty sniffing and it also is saying that over the christmas — and it also is saying that over the christmas period, they will accept e-maiis _ christmas period, they will accept e-maiis as— christmas period, they will accept e—mails as opposed to formal letters and if— e—mails as opposed to formal letters and if there _ e—mails as opposed to formal letters and if there are 50 four or 55 ietters— and if there are 50 four or 55 letters calling for the leader of the conservative party to go, then there _ the conservative party to go, then there has— the conservative party to go, then there has to be a confidence of leadership. there has to be a confidence of leadership-— leadership. this is not discretionary, - leadership. this is not discretionary, there i leadership. this is not i discretionary, there has leadership. this is not - discretionary, there has to be a vote of no—confidence. the question is whether he will eat when it or lose it and you may recall whenjohn major resigned as leader in order to force the hand of his endless behind

the hand critics and people who were whispering against him including cabinet colleagues, he won. many felt that helped him stagger through to get to 97 but in the end it did not really enhance his authority in the conservative party and visibly... we are a long way off from this with that would be the dilemma for borisjohnson. is winning even enough in circumstances?- winning even enough in circumstances? , ., , circumstances? yes, so tories may have faced — circumstances? yes, so tories may have faced similar— circumstances? yes, so tories may have faced similar sort _ circumstances? yes, so tories may have faced similar sort of— have faced similar sort of challenges. i think for me it's quite — challenges. i think for me it's quite striking just watching some of the vox _ quite striking just watching some of the vox box taking place earlier about _ the vox box taking place earlier about vaccine passports. maybe tory mps are _ about vaccine passports. maybe tory mps are not— about vaccine passports. maybe tory mps are not necessarily in the same place _ mps are not necessarily in the same place as— mps are not necessarily in the same place as lots and lots of voters right _ place as lots and lots of voters right now _ place as lots and lots of voters right now. some of the vox box i was watching _ right now. some of the vox box i was watching earlier kind of indicate that people do want to continue with their lives— that people do want to continue with their lives and they do want to get out and _ their lives and they do want to get out and about and if the price of doing _ out and about and if the price of doing that — out and about and if the price of doing that is a vaccine passports, maybe _ doing that is a vaccine passports, maybe they are more comfortable than the average _ maybe they are more comfortable than the average tory mp right now over it. �* ., �* , ,

it. but even if that's right, henry, the oint it. but even if that's right, henry, the point he _