This was not a British cry, but a cry for frustration. Aiming squarely at Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, Tory MP Joy Morrissey accused unelected experts of turning Britain into ‘a public health socialist state’.
No 10 immediately grabbed her and forced her to retract all of the comments she made. However, this newspaper believes that she was making an important and powerful point.
No one doubts Professor Whitty’s scientific expertise. In recent days, however, he has morphed from adviser to policy maker – with disastrous effect.
By telling people not to mix with others unless they absolutely have to, he instantly torpedoed the revival hopes of this country’s hospitality and retail sectors.
No one doubts Professor Whitty’s scientific expertise. In recent days, however, he has morphed from adviser to policy maker – with disastrous effect
They are still trying to get over the Covid traumas they suffered and were hoping that pre-Christmas would bring them back, but their businesses have now been destroyed.
These are the expected costs. The cancellation of three million restaurant reservations. Some £2billion in lost earnings. There were 37 million fewer pints being sold. The income from rail fare is down half because people now work at home. This can have a devastating effect on businesses that rely on footfall. A predicted 50% drop in theater bookings.
It is a bloodbath all together. This is made worse by the fact that furlough, and other support systems, have been removed. They are being effectively tossed to the wolves.
To be fair, it’s not entirely Professor Whitty’s fault. As a medical adviser it’s his job to be Covid-cautious. Boris Johnson is responsible for listening to his opinion and balancing any need for additional guidance against the enormous damage to the economy or mental health of the nation.
As Margaret Thatcher said, advisers advise, ministers decide. Johnson has apparently turned the wise maxim upside down, leading backbenchers to question: Who’s running this country?
Yesterday, the PM declared that Britain wasn’t being held hostage by stealth. He has not noticed the empty streets of our largest towns and cities. Is he aware that Omicron’s doomsday rhetoric has spooked the public into voting purdah.
To be fair, it’s not entirely Professor Whitty’s fault. As a medical adviser it’s his job to be Covid-cautious. Boris Johnson must listen to him and weigh any request for guidance with the potential damage to the country’s economy and mental well-being.
Evidence is overwhelming. People are afraid of the tidal wave of infection that Professor Whitty is predicting and have retreated from theatres, shops and cinemas during peak season.
For what purpose? Is this a dangerous new strain? All the signs are that it’s a relatively mild strain. Only one individual in the UK seems to have succumbed.
The Government is ashamed to refuse to give us any information about this patient. If the patient is old or was vaccinated.
A claim has been made that he was an anti-vaxxer in his old age, but Downing Street won’t confirm this or deny it. If they want to be able to make informed decisions about their safety, this is the kind of information the public needs to have.
It is time to end the secrecy, kowtowing and omissions from advisers as large swathes fall apart. Wednesday’s massive Commons rebellion shows it’s high time for a full reset.
Brexit: The benefits
The Remainers love to make fun of the notion that Brexit could open up trade agreements around the globe.
Well, they’re not mocking now. Two years ago, we reached an historic free trade agreement in Australia. This will unlock billions more business opportunities and could potentially lower consumer prices.
This allows people under 35 years old from either country to reside and work in each other for up three years, and provides protection to farmers.
While it might be difficult for hard-core Remainers, Brexit pays handsome dividends.
We have reached a historic, free-trade agreement with Australia in less than 2 years. This will unlock billions of dollars and possibly lower consumer prices.