A week ago the government was rather pleased with itself, in spite of the many missteps littering its progress. But now. Oh dear. It is perhaps inevitable that if you place a box of fireworks like Cummings at the heart of government, sooner or later it will explode. And it has. But first let us […]
The freedom to move all across Europe is a modern human right on a continent awash with needless bloodshed, spilled over the centuries since the fall of the Roman Empire. It is one of the greatest political achievements in recorded history. My own citizenship of Europe is something I value above all other official recognitions […]
That nobody in the population at large has a moment spare to think about the distraction of Brexit, in the midst of a double crisis, each segment of which is on a scale hitherto unseen, is likely to be an understatement. Yet Brexit is still there and, unless the government implodes, there will be no […]
In the election sense no it is not. Opinion polls continue to show a comfortable lead for the Tories and Labour has a lot of work to do to establish itself as a potential alternative government. But there will be no general election for another four years, so these polls are of little importance. However […]
In the messaging yes, Boris created a lot of anxiety and confusion with his over generalised broadcast and his blustering enthusiasm. Covid 19 is not a war which can be ended when the enemy signs a surrender document. So stuff like ‘together we will beat it’ really is off target. Moreover there is a general […]
There is little point in commenting today until after Boris has delivered his address to the nation later, so expect a mid-week follow on as the situation becomes less confused. For confused it certainly is with briefings this way and that, messaging which says one thing and means another, cracks in the four nation unified […]
The Government Although it is steadfast in its insistence that it does the right things at the right time, it is now clear that ministers and the scientific advisers they listen to, accept that they got it wrong at the beginning of the crisis and have been playing frantic catch-up ever since. The initial plan […]
Many expected Boris to be on sick leave longer. The news that he is returning to work tomorrow will be welcome even by those critical of the government. First on a human level because he has been through an extremely challenging experience, not to mention the torment of his loved ones who will have lived […]
A pattern is beginning to emerge. However much it releases, repeats and proclaims its ‘right thing at the right time’ mantra, everybody now knows that, while focussed on the successful expansion of NHS capacity to cope, the government made a mess of the detail at the start of the pandemic in the UK. Now it […]
For a government that prides itself on doing the right things at the right time, there is a lot going wrong. There is an increasing disconnect between ministerial statements delivered in the familiar self congratulatory tone at the daily Downing Street briefings and the realities across the Covid 19 landscape, especially in England. Moreover lone […]