Tom Harwood: Let's get one thing straight throughout this pandemic these choices have always been political

Boris Johnson is to publish his 'living with Covid' plan today, with a Downing Street Press Conference this evening.

The Prime Minister has said that: “Today will mark a moment of pride after one of the most difficult periods in our country’s history as we begin to learn to live with covid."

But the Labour Party said his move is like benching the team's 'best defender' with 10 minutes to go. And others have accused the Prime Minister of making a political decision, not one based on the science. A political decision.

As if it were somehow illegitimate to make a political judgment call. But let's get one thing straight, throughout this pandemic, these choices have always been political.

It is a politician’s job to weigh up evidence. To make judgment calls. To balance security and liberty.That's why we have elected politics in this country.

Not to be blind to danger, but to decide what is a sensible level of risk.

We accept there is a higher risk of injury from playing sport, just as we must accept there is a higher risk of Covid if we want to leave our homes. A higher risk of injury from doing the things that make life worth living.

But don’t just take my word for it. This is what Chief Medical Officer Chirs Whitty said on 5th January 2021, at the start of the vaccine roll out.