Spiked Online Editor Brendan O’Neil says the struggle for freedoms will continue even once the COVID vaccine is rolled out because it is unlikely leaders who have relished their authority will relinquish it anytime soon.

Mr O’Neill told Sky News host Chris Kenny Londoners were hopeful the recent rollout of coronavirus vaccinations would see their freedoms returned.

“A lot of our freedoms have been taken away from us,” he said.

“The rules and regulations are very weird, very strict in some areas, and people are hoping, with fingers crossed, the vaccine will propel us back to normality.

Mr O’Neill said he worried those in positions of authority relished the authoritarian role they assumed over the last few months, adding it did not appear they would relinquish it, even once the vaccine was rolled out.

“The struggle for our freedoms will go on even once the vaccine is rolled out,” he said.