With the severity of infection and the concern expressed by saturnine researchers, it would have been easy for the Prime Minister to relax and allow more restrictions. His great credit is due to the fact that he did not.
He has relaxed many of his most frustrating rules, as he is satisfied with the number of cases that have soared.
In a boost for families seeking winter sunshine, and the beleaguered travel industry, fully-jabbed adults and children can avoid almost all Covid tests – saving holidaymakers hundreds of pounds.
On top of that, the PM – who bullishly suggests we may be back to normal in just three weeks – is scrapping confirmatory PCR tests for those who receive a positive lateral flow, in a bid to ease staff absences.
Boris Johnson has bullishly suggested we may be back to normal in just three weeks
This is a sign that Johnson has taken the right steps. It is gratifying that Johnson has suggested that the seven-day isolation rule might be reduced to five.
About one million are currently in isolation. Many are healthy but overzealous regulations prevent them from going back to work.
Unnecessary staff shortages not only cause havoc in the business world, but also affect schools, hospitals, and emergency services. Ironically, hospitals are in trouble not because of a flood of Covid patients but because so many home-based doctors and nurses.
It is not surprising that the BBC, who loathes Boris’s delivery of Brexit and Tory governments, allows panic-mongering Left to feed fear by suggesting that the NHS has been overwhelmed. It is striking that there were more people in hospitals 2 years ago than today.
Mr Johnson must ignore the siren voices, stick to his guns – and be congratulated for not considering any more ruinous restrictions. You will reap the enormous rewards. The UK being the most free country in Europe – and reaping a huge economic dividend.
Green tax? Take the axe
Campaigning in the 2019 election, Mr Johnson promised to bring people prosperity – and won a whopping majority.
After Covid, however, the year is threatening to bring another unwelcome epidemic: spiralling household costs.
These include soaring energy costs, which force the most vulnerable people to turn off non-affordable heat or light.
Meanwhile, gas and electricity prices are crippling businesses, which pass on the overheads to hard-pressed customers at the till – fuelling inflation and jeopardising Britain’s economic recovery.
Ministers need to start by eliminating punishing levies which raise bills. People who feel economic pain will turn against the Tories when they see it.
It’s a law again
What message does the court send about the rule-of-law when it allows violent agitators to be cleared of a criminal charge after ripping down Edward Colston’s 17th century statue as a slave trader?
The four Black Lives Matter protesters claimed it was a political act – not criminal damage. Unexpectedly, the jury agreed.
Is this the end of madness? This is the end of the noble tradition that dissent.
Again, the law has an ass.
- The Elizabeth Cross is an award to the loved ones of British troops who have been killed or injured in conflicts. They are however disgusted that Tony Blair was knighted. After he created evidence for an illegal war, in which their children were killed, some recipients will give their medals back. You can’t blame them. It is clear that the honours system has fallen into disarray.