It is a strange time when Theresa May must teach Boris Johnson lessons about boosterism.
While the usually ebullient Prime Minister considers extra curbs to tackle the spread of Omicron, his predecessor – normally cloaked in caution – exhorts him to be braver.
He is at risk of being controlled by doom-mongers. He is being tested by a gloomy outlook from his scientists. Britain remains unsure if new restrictions might be introduced to ruin Christmas.
Even though we are closer to locking down, the evidence is more encouraging. Within a single week, covid deaths plunged. No Omicron patient has ever been admitted. They have mild symptoms.
While the usually ebullient Prime Minister considers extra curbs to tackle the spread of Omicron, his predecessor – normally cloaked in caution – exhorts him to be braver
Shutdown’s awful legacy continues to grow simultaneously. Ofsted says nearly every child has fallen behind in education – some losing basic language skills. Another tragedy could be replicated in the death of Arthur LabinjoHughes, when schools are closed again. At-risk children live with their abusive parents.
Meanwhile, thousands of patients’ vital operations are being cancelled as the NHS struggles with the backlog from Covid – consigning many to a world of constant pain or, in the worst instances, early graves.
Mr Johnson should turn a deaf ear to the drumbeat of doom and – for once in his life – listen to Mrs May
Consumer and business confidence is also being affected by fears of tighter restrictions. It is a threat to our future prosperity by slowing down the economy.
Mr Johnson should turn a deaf ear to the drumbeat of doom and – for once in his life – listen to Mrs May.
Holidays are a time to show respect
PERISH any notion that Afghanistan’s collapse and the emergency evacuation of the mission should cause a disruption to the civil service mandarin’s summer vacation.
Not only was Foreign Office Permanent Secretary Sir Philip Barton on vacation when Kabul fell to the Taliban – he didn’t come back for another 11 days.
The Home Office and Ministry of Defence counterparts were absent as well as Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. It left the ship of the state practically stranded.
Not only was Foreign Office Permanent Secretary Sir Philip Barton on vacation when Kabul fell to the Taliban – he didn’t come back for another 11 days
While soldiers in Kabul worked tirelessly to protect the weak, civil servants at the “crisis center” either worked remotely or were able to clock off after just eight hours.
Weekends are the worst time for them to be working. A ‘Do NOT disturb’ sign was all that was needed at the front of the house.
During this time, people were killed and floods of emails became unanswered.
But Sir Philip, when asked by MPs if he or his team had failed to perform their duties, replied: “I don’t believe so.”
Lack of urgency, lack of grip, lack of leadership, and – worst of all – lack of remorse. This is a damning indictment on Whitehall.
The Home Office and Ministry of Defence counterparts were absent as well as Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. This left the ship of State virtually unassailable.
Gender law dangers
The Government’s proposal to ban conversion therapy (under which homosexual people are brutally forced into being straight) is admirable at first.
However, the plan also contains something very troubling. It would be a crime to prohibit children from using hormones to alter sex, according to the laws.
For encouraging vulnerable children to wait before beginning irreversible medical treatment, parents could face prosecution.
The Government’s proposal to ban conversion therapy (under which homosexual people are brutally forced into being straight) is admirable at first.
Ministers have every right to prolong the embarrassingly brief consultation after thousands of protestors wrote in.
Trans people should be allowed to live happily, and no one should stop them.
It is our responsibility to safeguard children against making regrettable decisions.
- New: A depressing prediction is a good thing. Critical police computer system for fighting Terrorism and crime are horribly over-budget and it is usually at least five years behind. Why? That every IT scheme touched was made public sector – even those critical to our protection – seems doomed to failure?