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 […]
The consensus backing the government is breaking up. Attacks are now focussed and telling. There is mounting irritation. It does not stem from government mistakes. Everyone accepts that in an unforeseen chain of events for which there is no template to work from people will, with the best of intentions, get it wrong. It is […]
The reports are rather sparse and clearly subject to news management, so we do not really know what is happening. The fact the prime minister is still in intensive care is enough to tell us he is very ill. He appears not to be getting worse at least, because if so he would be on […]
Everyone knew the pandemic was spreading. They knew it was spreading quite badly in London and among the ruling and celebrity class especially. Even Prince Charles fell victim to a mild attack. But the news that it was in Downing Street was a shock for sure, even though the good humoured prime minister assured the […]
The Government The government was formed with a single track mind, composed of people with one political driver, having won an historic victory on the slogan ‘Get Brexit Done’. Brexit. Brexit. Brexit. As the Tory party celebrated its victory, not for one moment in a wildest dream anywhere among the singing and drinking multitudes, was […]
The Heart Of Government Suddenly not only the prime minister, but the health secretary and the chief medical officer, the three who day after day told us what to do to save lives and stay safe, are themselves infected with the c-virus. This is rather shocking for two reasons. But first of all we must […]
The Government If you watch a press conference with ministers and experts, you are easily left with the impression that mostly they know what they are doing. On the other hand a news feature which casts a wider net to test the government’s assertions, often leads to the conclusion that they may not. The truth […]
Last Sunday I criticised the ridiculous herd immunity theory which appeared to drive government responses to the c-virus crisis, with the result we were faffing around not doing things all the rest of the world and the WHO regarded as critical. Indeed the government lead advisers in health and science toured the media studios promoting […]
Herd Immunity As a subject for a learned paper or even a PhD, the theory of herd immunity might be a worthy offering. But as a platform for policy at the height of a global pandemic, it is absurd. It is even outrageous because the ‘the best scientific advice’ cannot possibly include unproven (in this […]
C-Virus This now dominates the media at every level. It has wrought havoc in global markets and is now seriously affecting all manner of business and social activities. Many businesses are threatened by the economic backlash. Even the Budget is set to be governed by the mounting drama, much of which is yet to unfold. […]