skynewspolitics--2020-11-04--The PM did not lose the vote, but many of his MPs appear to be losing faith in him

Some of the most senior and influential Tories voted against the second national lockdown measures which come into force tomorrow .
Coronavirus lockdown : The PM did not lose the vote , but many of his MPs appear to be losing faith in him Boris Johnson did not lose the vote , but many of his own MPs appear to be losing faith in him .
Downing Street 's efforts to neuter the rebellion by offering scientific briefings to backbenchers in recent days appears to have had limited effect .
The final number of Conservative MPs to vote against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than had been expected .
But even that was not a true reflection of the level of antipathy felt by many Conservatives MPs towards the government 's lockdown proposals .
The vote itself may have been binary , but the debate was far from black and white .
By no means did all the Tory MPs who expressed concerns with aspects of the new lockdown rules during the debate vote against the proposals when it came to it .
Some made clear they would give the benefit of the doubt this time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nusrat Ghani said she would reluctantly vote in favour of the legislation , but warned she was putting the government `` on 28 days notice '' .
Former Prime Minister Theresa May lambasted the government over the way scientific data had been presented , and the decision to make religious services illegal .
She did not rebel , but her abstention nonetheless represents a major rebuke to her successor.. Labour 's backing for the measures meant that a rebellion large enough to defeat the government was never a realistic possibility , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did choose to take a stand .
Overall this was not a tantrum by serial trouble-makers , it was a rebellion of some of the most senior and influential conservatives not on the government pay-roll .
The Chairman of the 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady , his vice chair Sir Charles Walker , former party leader Iain Duncan Smith and former Chief Whip Mark Harper are notable on the list of those who voted against .
Alongside MPs from the Brexiteer libertarian wing of the party , like former Cabinet Minister Esther McVey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of former ministers normally associated with what was once seen as the 'remainer ' centrist side of the camp - Steve Brine Johnathon Djanogly , and Jackie Doyle-Price .
The make-up of this rebellion is not like any we have seen before .
Will there be consequences for the rebels ?
Earlier this afternoon a spokesman for Mr. Johnson made clear that was unlikely , pointing to the fact the Prime Minister `` understands where his MPs are coming from '' and has been open about the regrets he feels himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normally hear from Downing Street .

Some of the most senior and influential Tories voted against the second national lockdown measures which come into force tomorrow.
Coronavirus lockdown: The PM did not lose the vote, but many of his MPs appear to be losing faith in him
Boris Johnson did not lose the vote, but many of his own MPs appear to be losing faith in him.
Downing Street's efforts to neuter the rebellion by offering scientific briefings to backbenchers in recent days appears to have had limited effect.
The final number of Conservative MPs to vote against the government was 32, a higher number than had been expected.
But even that was not a true reflection of the level of antipathy felt by many Conservatives MPs towards the government's lockdown proposals. The vote itself may have been binary, but the debate was far from black and white.
By no means did all the Tory MPs who expressed concerns with aspects of the new lockdown rules during the debate vote against the proposals when it came to it. Some made clear they would give the benefit of the doubt this time, but not without caveats.
Former minister Nusrat Ghani said she would reluctantly vote in favour of the legislation, but warned she was putting the government "on 28 days notice".
Former Prime Minister Theresa May lambasted the government over the way scientific data had been presented, and the decision to make religious services illegal. She did not rebel, but her abstention nonetheless represents a major rebuke to her successor..
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 Boris Johnson was seen walking out of the House of Commons as Theresa May launched a blistering attack on the government's handling of the data.
Labour's backing for the measures meant that a rebellion large enough to defeat the government was never a realistic possibility, but the prime minister will be worried about who did choose to take a stand.
Overall this was not a tantrum by serial trouble-makers, it was a rebellion of some of the most senior and influential conservatives not on the government pay-roll.
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The Chairman of the 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady, his vice chair Sir Charles Walker, former party leader Iain Duncan Smith and former Chief Whip Mark Harper are notable on the list of those who voted against.
Alongside MPs from the Brexiteer libertarian wing of the party, like former Cabinet Minister Esther McVey, Peter Bone and John Redwood were a number of former ministers normally associated with what was once seen as the 'remainer' centrist side of the camp - Steve Brine Johnathon Djanogly, and Jackie Doyle-Price.
The make-up of this rebellion is not like any we have seen before.
Will there be consequences for the rebels? Earlier this afternoon a spokesman for Mr. Johnson made clear that was unlikely, pointing to the fact the Prime Minister "understands where his MPs are coming from" and has been open about the regrets he feels himself.
That is not a tone we normally hear from Downing Street.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-04--PM warns of deaths 'on a grievous scale' without England lockdown

Boris Johnson has warned of deaths `` on a grievous scale '' without further action to stem the spread of coronavirus infections .
As he opened a House of Commons debate on England 's new lockdown , the prime minister urged MPs to vote in favour of a second national shutdown later on Wednesday .
Mr Johnson said he was `` not prepared to take the risk with the lives of the British people '' after being confronted with worsening COVID-19 data .
The prime minister added , without action now , the NHS was likely to be in `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With Labour in support of a month-long lockdown in England , the prime minister is not at risk of seeing the Commons vote against his plans .
However , it is thought around 15 to 20 Conservative MPs could rebel and vote against the lockdown .
Mr Johnson reiterated his intent that England 's lockdown would end on 2 December , but he added what followed the month-long shutdown from Thursday would be up to MPs .
`` Of course I ca n't say exactly where the epidemiology will be by 2 December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the national measures that I hope the House will vote on tonight , are time-limited , '' he said .
`` It is not that we choose to stop them , they legally expire .
So whatever we do from 2 December will require a fresh mandate and a fresh vote from this House .
`` And as I have made clear , it is my express intent that we should return to a tiered system on a local and a regional basis according to the latest data and trends . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs would vote for the lockdown with `` a heavy heart '' .
He added that while the new lockdown measures were `` not in any way desirable or perfect , they are now necessary because the government 's lost control of the virus '' .
Mr Johnson walked out of the Commons chamber during a speech by his predecessor Theresa May .
The ex-prime minister raised concerns about a lack of data on the impact of the government 's COVID decisions on the economy , mental health , domestic abuse and non-coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry are we going to have coming out of this ?
What sort of hospitality sector ?
What sort of small independent shops will be left ?
`` The government must have made this analysis , made this assessment : let us see it and make our own judgments . ''
Another former Conservative leader , Sir Iain Duncan Smith , claimed that whoever leaked the government 's lockdown plan to the media prior to its announcement should be sacked and `` strung up to dry '' .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his comments .
Sir Iain said he would not support the lockdown , telling MPs it `` was not necessary now '' .
Fellor Tory rebel Philip Davies said that both he and the public `` no longer have any faith '' in the government 's strategy .
And Sir Graham Brady , the chair of the powerful 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers , told MPs he would vote against the lockdown `` with greater conviction '' than any other vote he has cast in his 23 years in the Commons .
Downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's `` firm view '' that England 's second lockdown would end on 2 December , after Mr Johnson appeared to offer conflicting remarks earlier on Wednesday .
At Prime Minister 's Questions , which preceded the coronavirus debate , the prime minister did not offer a `` come what may '' guarantee that the shutdown would end on that date .
Sir Keir had asked Mr Johnson : `` Will the lockdown end on 2 December come what may , or will it depend on the circumstances at the time ?
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister replied : `` These measures , these autumn measures to combat the surge , will expire automatically on 2 December .
`` And we will then , I hope very much , be able to get this country going again , to get businesses , to get shops open again in the run up to Christmas .
`` But that depends on us all doing our bit now to make sure that we get the R down .
`` I 've no doubt that we can , and that we 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December with a very , very different approach - but , of course , it will be up to the House of Commons to decide , thereafter , what to do . ''
But on Wednesday morning , Mr Johnson had used a pre-recorded speech to the Confederation of British Industry to declare the government would `` end these autumn measures on 2 December when they expire '' .
The prime minister also apologised to businesses for the `` frustrations and the nightmare '' of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've made to look after your employees , to make your premises COVID-secure , putting in Perspex screens , '' he said .
`` All the trouble you 've gone to in complying with the kinds of diktats that I never believed we would have to impose which , I assure you , go completely against every free market instinct I possess . ''

Boris Johnson has warned of deaths "on a grievous scale" without further action to stem the spread of coronavirus infections.
As he opened a House of Commons debate on England's new lockdown, the prime minister urged MPs to vote in favour of a second national shutdown later on Wednesday.
Mr Johnson said he was "not prepared to take the risk with the lives of the British people" after being confronted with worsening COVID-19 data.
Image: The PM warned hospitals could be in 'extraordinary trouble' by next month
The prime minister added, without action now, the NHS was likely to be in "extraordinary trouble" by next month.
With Labour in support of a month-long lockdown in England, the prime minister is not at risk of seeing the Commons vote against his plans.
However, it is thought around 15 to 20 Conservative MPs could rebel and vote against the lockdown.
Mr Johnson reiterated his intent that England's lockdown would end on 2 December, but he added what followed the month-long shutdown from Thursday would be up to MPs.
"Of course I can't say exactly where the epidemiology will be by 2 December, but what I can say is that the national measures that I hope the House will vote on tonight, are time-limited," he said.
"It is not that we choose to stop them, they legally expire. So whatever we do from 2 December will require a fresh mandate and a fresh vote from this House.
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"And as I have made clear, it is my express intent that we should return to a tiered system on a local and a regional basis according to the latest data and trends."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his MPs would vote for the lockdown with "a heavy heart".
He added that while the new lockdown measures were "not in any way desirable or perfect, they are now necessary because the government's lost control of the virus".
Mr Johnson walked out of the Commons chamber during a speech by his predecessor Theresa May.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 PM leaves Commons as May attacks govt over data
The ex-prime minister raised concerns about a lack of data on the impact of the government's COVID decisions on the economy, mental health, domestic abuse and non-coronavirus treatements.
"Jobs lost, livelihoods shattered, businesses failing, whole sectors damaged," she told MPs.
"What sort of airline industry are we going to have coming out of this? What sort of hospitality sector? What sort of small independent shops will be left?
"The government must have made this analysis, made this assessment: let us see it and make our own judgments."
Another former Conservative leader, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, claimed that whoever leaked the government's lockdown plan to the media prior to its announcement should be sacked and "strung up to dry".
Health Secretary Matt Hancock was seen nodding along as Sir Iain made his comments.
Sir Iain said he would not support the lockdown, telling MPs it "was not necessary now".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:45 'Madness' to revert to tiered system if R rate still high
Fellor Tory rebel Philip Davies said that both he and the public "no longer have any faith" in the government's strategy.
And Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the powerful 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers, told MPs he would vote against the lockdown "with greater conviction" than any other vote he has cast in his 23 years in the Commons.
Downing Street said it was the prime minister's "firm view" that England's second lockdown would end on 2 December, after Mr Johnson appeared to offer conflicting remarks earlier on Wednesday.
At Prime Minister's Questions, which preceded the coronavirus debate, the prime minister did not offer a "come what may" guarantee that the shutdown would end on that date.
Sir Keir had asked Mr Johnson: "Will the lockdown end on 2 December come what may, or will it depend on the circumstances at the time? People need to know that."
The prime minister replied: "These measures, these autumn measures to combat the surge, will expire automatically on 2 December.
"And we will then, I hope very much, be able to get this country going again, to get businesses, to get shops open again in the run up to Christmas.
"But that depends on us all doing our bit now to make sure that we get the R down.
"I've no doubt that we can, and that we'll be able to go forward from 2 December with a very, very different approach - but, of course, it will be up to the House of Commons to decide, thereafter, what to do."
But on Wednesday morning, Mr Johnson had used a pre-recorded speech to the Confederation of British Industry to declare the government would "end these autumn measures on 2 December when they expire".
The prime minister also apologised to businesses for the "frustrations and the nightmare" of the coronavirus pandemic.
"I want to thank you for the heroic efforts you've made to look after your employees, to make your premises COVID-secure, putting in Perspex screens," he said.
"All the trouble you've gone to in complying with the kinds of diktats that I never believed we would have to impose which, I assure you, go completely against every free market instinct I possess."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-04--The race for a vaccine is edging towards the finish line - but we don't know how far off a winner is

The race for a COVID-19 vaccine is edging towards the finishing line , but we still do n't know how far off a winner is .
Kate Bingham , the head of the UK Vaccines Taskforce told MPs on the Science and Technology Committee that - if she put on her rose-tinted specs - she can see the first results on whether the Oxford or Pfizer prototypes work being ready in early December .
And if that 's the case , deployment could start `` by the year-end '' .
The NHS has been told to get ready to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different to having a vaccine to give .
The large-scale clinical trials currently under way will show how well the vaccines protect against coronavirus .
The better they are at preventing disease , the sooner there is a clear difference compared with volunteers who are just given a placebo vaccine , and the quicker we will get those results .
But it may be that a vaccine is only 50 % effective , so the trials could take longer than originally hoped .
That does n't sound like great protection - it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines against most other diseases used on the NHS .
But the lead scientist from the Oxford vaccine team told the committee that even a partially effective vaccine would be a game changer .
Professor Andrew Pollard said a vaccine that prevents disease in 50 % of patients would halve hospital admissions and deaths , and put the UK in a much better position that it is in right now .
However , it would mean that we are living with the virus for some time to come , as it would still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good the vaccine is , it will take several months to roll out in large numbers .
Kate Bingham said there would be enough of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for four million doses by the end of the year , but this was in a bulk form , none of it has been put into vials yet .
It 's far less than the 30 million doses that were originally hoped to be ready by September .
But there should at least be 10 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine ready in December .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from regulatory authorities there is then the challenge of actually sticking needles in people 's arms .
The vaccines chief said there was a 50 % chance of all 30 million vulnerable people in the UK being protected by early summer next year .
That 's a long way off , so her other news that AstraZeneca is about to start two clinical trials of monoclonal antibodies to prevent disease is significant .
Mr Trump had a shot of a different brand of antibodies as part of his treatment .
But scientists believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 for six months .
One trial will be in people at high risk of infection - health workers , people in prisons , and so on .
The other will be a `` stormchaser '' study , with a dose given to contacts of newly diagnosed cases in food packaging plants and other confined spaces .
We wo n't get results until early next year , but already negotiations have started with the pharmaceutical company for large numbers of doses .
As we spiral into the gloom of a second lockdown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of light at the end of the tunnel .

The race for a COVID-19 vaccine is edging towards the finishing line, but we still don't know how far off a winner is.
Kate Bingham, the head of the UK Vaccines Taskforce told MPs on the Science and Technology Committee that - if she put on her rose-tinted specs - she can see the first results on whether the Oxford or Pfizer prototypes work being ready in early December.
And if that's the case, deployment could start "by the year-end".
The NHS has been told to get ready to give a vaccine. But that's very different to having a vaccine to give.
The large-scale clinical trials currently under way will show how well the vaccines protect against coronavirus.
The better they are at preventing disease, the sooner there is a clear difference compared with volunteers who are just given a placebo vaccine, and the quicker we will get those results.
But it may be that a vaccine is only 50% effective, so the trials could take longer than originally hoped.
That doesn't sound like great protection - it's a lot lower than the effectiveness of vaccines against most other diseases used on the NHS.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 'We have the prospect of a vaccine in 2021'
But the lead scientist from the Oxford vaccine team told the committee that even a partially effective vaccine would be a game changer.
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Professor Andrew Pollard said a vaccine that prevents disease in 50% of patients would halve hospital admissions and deaths, and put the UK in a much better position that it is in right now.
However, it would mean that we are living with the virus for some time to come, as it would still spread.
Even when we know how good the vaccine is, it will take several months to roll out in large numbers.
Kate Bingham said there would be enough of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for four million doses by the end of the year, but this was in a bulk form, none of it has been put into vials yet.
It's far less than the 30 million doses that were originally hoped to be ready by September.
But there should at least be 10 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine ready in December.
Even if the vaccine gets the nod from regulatory authorities there is then the challenge of actually sticking needles in people's arms.
The vaccines chief said there was a 50% chance of all 30 million vulnerable people in the UK being protected by early summer next year.
That's a long way off, so her other news that AstraZeneca is about to start two clinical trials of monoclonal antibodies to prevent disease is significant.
Mr Trump had a shot of a different brand of antibodies as part of his treatment.
But scientists believe that a single dose could protect against COVID-19 for six months.
One trial will be in people at high risk of infection - health workers, people in prisons, and so on.
The other will be a "stormchaser" study, with a dose given to contacts of newly diagnosed cases in food packaging plants and other confined spaces.
We won't get results until early next year, but already negotiations have started with the pharmaceutical company for large numbers of doses.
As we spiral into the gloom of a second lockdown, it's good to see a chink of light at the end of the tunnel.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-05--Four-week England lockdown 'enough to make a real impact', says PM

Four weeks of lockdown in England is `` enough '' to make a `` real impact '' on coronavirus infection rates , Boris Johnson has said .
On the first day of England 's second national lockdown , the prime minister used a Downing Street news conference to express his hope of `` as normal a Christmas as possible '' after the month-long restrictions .
Pubs , bars , restaurants and non-essential shops are now closed across the country and will stay shut until 2 December .
People have also been told to stay at home except for when attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for medical reasons or when going food shopping .
Mr Johnson , who this week faced a rebellion from Conservative MPs over his COVID-19 strategy , acknowledged many people were `` anxious , weary and quite frankly fed up with the very mention of this virus '' as another shutdown began .
`` These measures , though they are tough , are time-limited , '' the prime minister added .
`` The advice I 've received suggests that four weeks is enough for these measures to make a real impact .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 December we plan to move back to a tiered system .
There is light at the end of the tunnel . ''
The prime minister said there were now 12,320 COVID-19 patients in hospitals , up from 2,602 a month earlier , with 1,142 patients on mechanical ventilators , up from 369 a month earlier .
The UK government and the devolved administrations are working on a `` joint approach '' to the Christmas period , `` because all of us want to ensure families can come together , wherever they live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also told the news conference : `` If we follow this package of measures in the way that we can and we have done before , I have no doubt people will be able to have as normal a Christmas as possible and that we will be able to get things open before Christmas as well . ''
The prime minister announced a further £15m would be given to councils to offer safe accommodation for people sleeping rough or at risk of becoming homeless during England 's second lockdown .
Asked by Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could count on his own Tory MPs to support future restrictions once the lockdown is lifted , or be forced to rely on Labour votes , Mr Johnson said : `` I 'm very , very grateful to MPs for voting through the measures that we did yesterday .
`` And I believe that I 'm right in saying that the government was able to do it with its own votes .
`` But obviously it was good that this was a measure that was supported by people across all political parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward in this country . ''
There were 34 Tory rebels - and a further 18 Conservative MPs did not vote - when the House of Commons approved England 's lockdown .
The prime minister appeared at the news conference alongside NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens , who warned that the second wave of coronavirus infections was `` real and it 's serious '' .
Sir SImon said around 30,000 NHS staff were either off work with coronavirus , or having to self-isolate , as he stressed the need to control the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sir Simon announced the NHS in England would move to its highest alert level amid the pressure on hospitals from COVID-19 .
`` 11,000 coronavirus patients that we have got in hospital compares with 3,000 patients that we would typically have in hospital on any one day during a very bad winter flu season , for flu , '' he said at Thursday 's news conference .
`` It compares with about 7,000 patients who 'd be in hospital today being looked after for cancer . ''
The NHS boss also praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter , as he added : `` If you have flu and coronavirus at the same time you are twice as likely to die from coronavirus than you otherwise would . ''
Earlier on Thursday , Chancellor Rishi Sunak performed a major U-turn and extended the furlough scheme - which he previously planned to halt last month - until the end of March .
The Bank of England also ramped up its coronavirus crisis support for the UK economy by a further £150bn .
This was not a press conference to announce new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Number 10 as a chance for Boris Johnson to mark the moment England moved into new tougher restrictions .
It was an opportunity for the prime minister to address the nation in such a way that he could set out the problem , explain what everyone could do to play a part , and provide the incentive of brighter days ahead in four weeks ' time .
In reality , the fact this press conference needed to be held at all is a reflection of what a dire week the government has had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the UK statistics authority , former prime ministers , the business community and indeed its own Conservative backbenchers .
This press conference was the equivalent of a movie director deciding to reshoot a badly-acted scene .
The difference , of course , is the public have already watched the events of the week that 's been , and wo n't quickly forget them .
The holding of the press conference was an implicit admission of the flawed communications of the last few days , and the possible risk to compliance that may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is a political as well as an economic and health necessity that the new measures are effective , which was a least part of the underlying message delivered from the podium .

Four weeks of lockdown in England is "enough" to make a "real impact" on coronavirus infection rates, Boris Johnson has said.
On the first day of England's second national lockdown, the prime minister used a Downing Street news conference to express his hope of "as normal a Christmas as possible" after the month-long restrictions.
Pubs, bars, restaurants and non-essential shops are now closed across the country and will stay shut until 2 December.
People have also been told to stay at home except for when attending school, college, university or work, for medical reasons or when going food shopping.
Image: A closed cafe in Leicester, on the first day of England's second lockdown
Mr Johnson, who this week faced a rebellion from Conservative MPs over his COVID-19 strategy, acknowledged many people were "anxious, weary and quite frankly fed up with the very mention of this virus" as another shutdown began.
"These measures, though they are tough, are time-limited," the prime minister added.
"The advice I've received suggests that four weeks is enough for these measures to make a real impact.
"So these rules will expire and on 2 December we plan to move back to a tiered system. There is light at the end of the tunnel."
The prime minister said there were now 12,320 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, up from 2,602 a month earlier, with 1,142 patients on mechanical ventilators, up from 369 a month earlier.
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The UK government and the devolved administrations are working on a "joint approach" to the Christmas period, "because all of us want to ensure families can come together, wherever they live", Mr Johnson said.
He also told the news conference: "If we follow this package of measures in the way that we can and we have done before, I have no doubt people will be able to have as normal a Christmas as possible and that we will be able to get things open before Christmas as well."
The prime minister announced a further £15m would be given to councils to offer safe accommodation for people sleeping rough or at risk of becoming homeless during England's second lockdown.
Asked by Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby whether he could count on his own Tory MPs to support future restrictions once the lockdown is lifted, or be forced to rely on Labour votes, Mr Johnson said: "I'm very, very grateful to MPs for voting through the measures that we did yesterday.
"And I believe that I'm right in saying that the government was able to do it with its own votes.
"But obviously it was good that this was a measure that was supported by people across all political parties, and that's the right way forward in this country."
There were 34 Tory rebels - and a further 18 Conservative MPs did not vote - when the House of Commons approved England's lockdown.
The prime minister appeared at the news conference alongside NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens, who warned that the second wave of coronavirus infections was "real and it's serious".
Sir SImon said around 30,000 NHS staff were either off work with coronavirus, or having to self-isolate, as he stressed the need to control the spread of COVID-19.
Earlier this week, Sir Simon announced the NHS in England would move to its highest alert level amid the pressure on hospitals from COVID-19.
"11,000 coronavirus patients that we have got in hospital compares with 3,000 patients that we would typically have in hospital on any one day during a very bad winter flu season, for flu," he said at Thursday's news conference.
"It compares with about 7,000 patients who'd be in hospital today being looked after for cancer."
The NHS boss also praised the increased uptake of flu vaccinations this winter, as he added: "If you have flu and coronavirus at the same time you are twice as likely to die from coronavirus than you otherwise would."
Earlier on Thursday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak performed a major U-turn and extended the furlough scheme - which he previously planned to halt last month - until the end of March.
The Bank of England also ramped up its coronavirus crisis support for the UK economy by a further £150bn.
Image: NHS boss Sir Simon Stevens appeared at the news conference with the PM Pic: Pippa Fowles/ 10 Downing Street.
Analysis: Equivalent to reshooting a badly-acted movie scene
By Tom Rayner, political correspondent
This was not a press conference to announce new restrictions, it was instead described by Number 10 as a chance for Boris Johnson to mark the moment England moved into new tougher restrictions.
It was an opportunity for the prime minister to address the nation in such a way that he could set out the problem, explain what everyone could do to play a part, and provide the incentive of brighter days ahead in four weeks' time.
In reality, the fact this press conference needed to be held at all is a reflection of what a dire week the government has had - buffeted by wounding criticisms from Labour, the UK statistics authority, former prime ministers, the business community and indeed its own Conservative backbenchers.
This press conference was the equivalent of a movie director deciding to reshoot a badly-acted scene.
The difference, of course, is the public have already watched the events of the week that's been, and won't quickly forget them.
The holding of the press conference was an implicit admission of the flawed communications of the last few days, and the possible risk to compliance that may be a consequence.
For Mr Johnson it is a political as well as an economic and health necessity that the new measures are effective, which was a least part of the underlying message delivered from the podium.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-05--Raab self-isolating after 'close contact' with COVID-positive person

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is self-isolating after recently being in `` close contact '' with someone who tested positive for coronavirus .
The cabinet minister will have to self-isolate for a period of 14 days , in line with government and NHS rules .
Mr Raab will continue to work remotely , a spokesman said , during a time when the result of the US presidential election is still uncertain .
Earlier on Thursday , the foreign secretary had called for new presidential elections to be held in Belarus following the publication of an independent report into August 's contested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday evening , a spokesman said : `` The foreign secretary was today informed that an individual with whom he has been in recent close contact with has tested positive for coronavirus .
`` In line with government regulations and NHS track and trace rules , the foreign secretary has taken immediate steps to self-isolate for the required period .
`` He will continue to work remotely during this time . ''
It is understood Mr Raab has not shown any symptoms , while the individual who tested positive is not another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
Mr Raab , who also holds the title of first secretary of state , deputised for Boris Johnson earlier this year when the prime minister was in intensive care with COVID-19 .
Around the same time of Mr Johnson 's illness , Health Secretary Matt Hancock also tested positive for coronavirus , as did Sir Mark Sedwill , the then cabinet secretary and head of the civil service - although Sir Mark 's illness was only revealed weeks later .
Downing Street this week stressed that Business Secretary Alok Sharma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines .
It recently emerged Mr Sharma travelled to South Korea on government business only days after coming into contact with staff who later tested positive for COVID-19 .
But a spokesman for the business secretary said Mr Sharma `` had no close contact with the individual prior to his departure and has not been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace '' .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Sharma attended Tuesday 's cabinet meeting at the Foreign Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socially distant '' throughout , Number 10 said .
Earlier this week , Mr Raab said the UK government would `` need to be patient and wait and see who wins the US election '' .
He added it was `` important the process is given sufficient time to reach a conclusion '' and the government had `` full confidence in the checks and balances of the US system to produce a result '' .

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is self-isolating after recently being in "close contact" with someone who tested positive for coronavirus.
The cabinet minister will have to self-isolate for a period of 14 days, in line with government and NHS rules.
Mr Raab will continue to work remotely, a spokesman said, during a time when the result of the US presidential election is still uncertain.
Earlier on Thursday, the foreign secretary had called for new presidential elections to be held in Belarus following the publication of an independent report into August's contested vote.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:46 'We may not get US election result for days'
Confirming Mr Raab's self-isolation on Thursday evening, a spokesman said: "The foreign secretary was today informed that an individual with whom he has been in recent close contact with has tested positive for coronavirus.
"In line with government regulations and NHS track and trace rules, the foreign secretary has taken immediate steps to self-isolate for the required period.
"He will continue to work remotely during this time."
It is understood Mr Raab has not shown any symptoms, while the individual who tested positive is not another minister, MP or member of the government.
Mr Raab, who also holds the title of first secretary of state, deputised for Boris Johnson earlier this year when the prime minister was in intensive care with COVID-19.
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Around the same time of Mr Johnson's illness, Health Secretary Matt Hancock also tested positive for coronavirus, as did Sir Mark Sedwill, the then cabinet secretary and head of the civil service - although Sir Mark's illness was only revealed weeks later.
Downing Street this week stressed that Business Secretary Alok Sharma, like all ministers, was following COVID guidelines.
It recently emerged Mr Sharma travelled to South Korea on government business only days after coming into contact with staff who later tested positive for COVID-19.
But a spokesman for the business secretary said Mr Sharma "had no close contact with the individual prior to his departure and has not been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace".
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Mr Sharma attended Tuesday's cabinet meeting at the Foreign Office in person, where ministers were "socially distant" throughout, Number 10 said.
Earlier this week, Mr Raab said the UK government would "need to be patient and wait and see who wins the US election".
He added it was "important the process is given sufficient time to reach a conclusion" and the government had "full confidence in the checks and balances of the US system to produce a result".


skynewspolitics--2020-11-06--PM has 'every confidence in the checks and balances of the US constitution'

Boris Johnson has said he has `` every confidence in the checks and balances of the US constitution '' as Donald Trump makes unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the country 's election .
The US president has been an ally of Mr Johnson after backing him to become prime minister and supporting his position on Brexit .
Asked if he will miss working with Mr Trump if he loses the election , Mr Johnson told Sky News : `` Lets be clear , the prime minister of the United Kingdom is always going to work very closely with whoever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that 's going to be the case whatever the outcome of this election . ''
Mr Johnson declined to comment on what a US administration led by former vice president Joe Biden would mean for Britain , and said : `` If I were a voter in America I do n't think I 'd want anybody in another government commenting on my election .
`` I think while the votes are being counted we should wait and see . ''
It has been claimed Mr Trump had given Mr Johnson his personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular basis .
Mr Biden , who is leading the race to the White House , has expressed opposition to Brexit and claims that the Good Friday Agreement is threatened by the Internal Market Bill which is currently going through the House of Lords .
The Democratic candidate tweeted in September : `` Any trade deal between the US and the UK must be contingent upon a respect for the Good Friday Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border .
Period .
`` We ca n't allow the Good Friday Agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a casualty of Brexit . ''
Downing Street said in a reply : `` We will continue to work with our US partners to ensure our position is understood . ''
Barack Obama , who was president when Mr Biden was vice president , is said to have been offended after Mr Johnson previously claimed his part-Kenyan heritage made him anti-British .
Mr Biden has overtaken Trump by the smallest of margins in two key battleground states .
The Democrat candidate jumped into first place in Republican-held Georgia and Pennsylvania for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay out in front he will clinch the US presidency .
Mr Biden 's campaign are `` thrilled '' at the developments , with campaign staff said to be `` elated '' and `` confident '' .
But Mr Trump 's team are insisting `` this election is not over '' .
They vowed to challenge the Georgia result because they are `` confident we will find ballots improperly harvested '' - though cited no evidence - and claimed there are `` many irregularities '' in the Pennsylvania count .
The first candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins the US election .
Mr Biden is on 253 and will pick up 20 more if he wins the highly-prized state of Pennsylvania .
Mr Trump is on 214 and will be the first one-term president since George HW Bush if he loses .

Boris Johnson has said he has "every confidence in the checks and balances of the US constitution" as Donald Trump makes unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the country's election.
The US president has been an ally of Mr Johnson after backing him to become prime minister and supporting his position on Brexit.
Asked if he will miss working with Mr Trump if he loses the election, Mr Johnson told Sky News: "Lets be clear, the prime minister of the United Kingdom is always going to work very closely with whoever is president of the United States, and that's going to be the case whatever the outcome of this election."
Mr Johnson declined to comment on what a US administration led by former vice president Joe Biden would mean for Britain, and said: "If I were a voter in America I don't think I'd want anybody in another government commenting on my election.
"I think while the votes are being counted we should wait and see."
It has been claimed Mr Trump had given Mr Johnson his personal phone number and they spoke on a regular basis.
Mr Biden, who is leading the race to the White House, has expressed opposition to Brexit and claims that the Good Friday Agreement is threatened by the Internal Market Bill which is currently going through the House of Lords.
US election 2020 live: Follow the latest updates
The Democratic candidate tweeted in September: "Any trade deal between the US and the UK must be contingent upon a respect for the Good Friday Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border. Period.
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"We can't allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit."
Downing Street said in a reply: "We will continue to work with our US partners to ensure our position is understood."
Barack Obama, who was president when Mr Biden was vice president, is said to have been offended after Mr Johnson previously claimed his part-Kenyan heritage made him anti-British.
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Mr Biden has overtaken Trump by the smallest of margins in two key battleground states.
The Democrat candidate jumped into first place in Republican-held Georgia and Pennsylvania for the first time, meaning if he can stay out in front he will clinch the US presidency.
Mr Biden's campaign are "thrilled" at the developments, with campaign staff said to be "elated" and "confident".
But Mr Trump's team are insisting "this election is not over".
Image: Donald Trump and Boris Johnson are seen together at the NATO summit
They vowed to challenge the Georgia result because they are "confident we will find ballots improperly harvested" - though cited no evidence - and claimed there are "many irregularities" in the Pennsylvania count.
The first candidate to get to 270 Electoral College votes wins the US election.
Mr Biden is on 253 and will pick up 20 more if he wins the highly-prized state of Pennsylvania.
Mr Trump is on 214 and will be the first one-term president since George HW Bush if he loses.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-07--UK and Brussels to continue talks next week amid 'significant differences'

Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen have agreed their negotiating teams will continue talks next week as both acknowledged `` significant differences '' remain .
Downing Street said it would enable the two sides to `` redouble efforts '' to reach a deal as the end of the transition period looms .
The talks will resume in London on Monday .
A Number 10 spokesman said : `` Prime Minister Boris Johnson today spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a stock take on the progress in the negotiations between the UK and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that , while some progress had been made in recent discussions , significant differences remain in a number of areas , including the so-called level playing field and fish .
`` The prime minister and president agreed that their negotiating teams would continue talks in London next week , beginning on Monday , in order to redouble efforts to reach a deal .
`` They agreed to remain in personal contact about the negotiations . ''
In a tweet , Ms Von der Leyen said : `` Some progress has been made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level playing field and fisheries .
`` Our teams will continue working hard next week .
We will remain in close contact in the next days . ''

Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen have agreed their negotiating teams will continue talks next week as both acknowledged "significant differences" remain.
Downing Street said it would enable the two sides to "redouble efforts" to reach a trade deal as the end of the transition period looms.
The talks will resume in London on Monday, with fishing rights and agreement on a level playing field remaining as the sticking points.
The move comes after the pair spoke by phone on Saturday for "a stock take" on the progress of the stop-start negotiations.
Their discussions have played an important role in the ongoing cross-Channel bartering.
The call follows two weeks of intensified talks between the UK's chief negotiator Lord Frost and his European Union counterpart Michel Barnier.
A Number 10 spokesman said: "Prime Minister Boris Johnson today spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a stock take on the progress in the negotiations between the UK and the EU.
"The prime minister set out that, while some progress had been made in recent discussions, significant differences remain in a number of areas, including the so-called level playing field and fish.
"The prime minister and president agreed that their negotiating teams would continue talks in London next week, beginning on Monday, in order to redouble efforts to reach a deal.
"They agreed to remain in personal contact about the negotiations."
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In a tweet, Ms Von der Leyen said: "Some progress has been made, but large differences remain especially on level playing field and fisheries.
"Our teams will continue working hard next week. We will remain in close contact in the next days."
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Mr Barnier wrote in a subsequent Twitter post that he would return to the negotiating table "to find an agreement that respects the interests and values of the EU and its 27 member states".
Earlier, Ireland's Europe minister Thomas Byrne said he doubted the conversation between Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen would lead to white smoke on agreeing a deal, with "big issues" still outstanding in talks which he described as having been "difficult".
"I personally don't expect that there would be major progress today but at the same time I think it is very good that the top two are talking - I think that's really positive, but I don't think we would expect 'a moment' at this particular point," he told the BBC.
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Both Lord Frost and Mr Barnier have agreed there continue to be gaps in the UK and the bloc's positions as the deadline for doing a deal edges closer.
After talks finished on Wednesday, Mr Barnier briefed MEPs and EU diplomats that there were still "fundamental differences" in the hunt for a trade agreement and that the UK has "blocked" progress in key areas while trying to run down the clock with the ending of the transition period on 31 December.
Meanwhile, Lord Frost said progress had been made during two weeks of intensive talks but "wide divergences remain on some core issues".


skynewspolitics--2020-11-08--Boris Johnson: 'My close ties with Trump won't affect UK-US bond'

Britain and the US will work together to support democracy and combat climate change , Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said .
He categorically denied his close ties to President Donald Trump would hurt the 'special relationship ' between the two allies once President-elect Joe Biden takes office and he congratulated both him and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their victory .
He said the result meant the UK-US `` common global perspective '' would be vital to shore up a rules-based global order that is under threat .
And he added : `` The United States is our closest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been the case under president after president , prime minister after prime minister .
It wo n't change . ''
Speaking on Sophy Ridge On Sunday , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also echoed his comments saying America would have `` no more dependable friend '' than the UK .
He said he was `` excited '' to be collaborating with the new administration in areas such as climate change , tackling coronavirus and counter-terrorism .
He too , dismissed the idea there may be challenges with the new relationship following claims from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson 's previous comments on Barack Obama 's Kenyan heritage had damaged ties with the Democrats .
Mr Raab said it was always possible to `` pick a snippet '' from social media or political activists but that evidence from his work with the British Embassy in Washington on the ground , talking to Congressional leaders , caucus leaders and to President-elect Biden over past months proved otherwise .
`` I know there will always be points of tension in any relationship - particularly the deepest and most profound ones - but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of things we do together , and the things that President-elect Biden wants to achieve internationally… these are all things , particularly with our G7 presidency next year and our hosting of COP 26 [ climate conference ] , we will have huge amounts which we can cooperate on . ''
He added : `` I am excited about working with the new administration and am confident the relationship between the UK and the US will thrive in the weeks and months ahead . ''
But his reassurances came just moments after former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outspoken swipe at US politics , labelling Donald Trump `` adolescent '' and saying he had done `` huge amounts to damage democracy '' .
He called for people around the president to `` tell him to stop '' his persistent claims of voter fraud .
`` The US is a beacon of democracy across the world , as we are , and he 's still doing damage because he has n't stopped , '' Mr Javid said .
`` We are privileged to have democracy , the Americans are privileged to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world that yearn for democracy .
`` And the behaviour of the US president is frankly adolescent behaviour . ''
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Asked if the 'best man won ' the election , Mr Javid said : `` I think so , yes .
I do think it 's the right outcome not just for the US , that 's a decision of course for the US people , but it 's the best outcome for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think no matter what your politics , it will be just good for us all to have some civility , some integrity and seriousness back in the White House . ''

Boris Johnson has said America is the UK's "closest and most important ally" - and that "won't change" under a new president.
Congratulating both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their US election victory, the prime minister said the two countries would work together to support democracy and combat issues such as tackling climate change.
Mr Johnson's comments echoed those of Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who told Sky News earlier on Sunday that the US will have "no more dependable friend" than the UK.
Image: Boris Johnson has had close ties with Donald Trump
"The United States is our closest and most important ally... and that's been the case under president after president, prime minister after prime minister," Mr Johnson said. "It won't change."
Mr Johnson said he was looking forward to working with Mr Biden and his team "on a lot of crucial stuff for us in the weeks and months ahead: tackling climate change, trade, international security, many, many, many, many, many other issues".
Dismissing the idea there may be challenges, he added that "there is far more that unites the government of this country and government in Washington any time, any stage, than divides us".
Mr Raab, speaking on Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday, said he was "excited" to be collaborating with the new US administration.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 15:50 'Biden will have no greater ally'
He too disregarded the suggestion of any difficulties with the new relationship, following claims from some US commentators that previous comments by Mr Johnson on Barack Obama's Kenyan heritage had damaged ties with the Democrats.
Mr Raab said it was always possible to "pick a snippet" from social media or political activists but that evidence from his work with the British Embassy in Washington on the ground, talking to Congressional leaders, caucus leaders and to President-elect Biden over past months proved otherwise.
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"I know there will always be points of tension in any relationship - particularly the deepest and most profound ones - but the bedrock, the depth and the range of things we do together, and the things that President-elect Biden wants to achieve internationally… these are all things, particularly with our G7 presidency next year and our hosting of COP 26 [climate conference], we will have huge amounts which we can cooperate on."
Image: Mr Raab has made a number of visits to Washington and the White House during Donald Trump's tenure
He added: "I am excited about working with the new administration and am confident the relationship between the UK and the US will thrive in the weeks and months ahead."
However, his reassurances came just moments after former chancellor Sajid Javid took a rather more outspoken swipe at US politics, labelling Donald Trump "adolescent" and saying he had done "huge amounts to damage democracy".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:54 Javid: Donald Trump 'damaged' US democracy
He called for people around the president to "tell him to stop" his persistent claims of voter fraud.
"The US is a beacon of democracy across the world, as we are, and he's still doing damage because he hasn't stopped," Mr Javid said.
"We are privileged to have democracy, the Americans are privileged to have it. There are so many people around the world that yearn for democracy.
"And the behaviour of the US president is frankly adolescent behaviour."
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Asked if the "best man won" the election, Mr Javid said: "I think so, yes. I do think it's the right outcome not just for the US, that's a decision of course for the US people, but it's the best outcome for the UK as well.
"I also think no matter what your politics, it will be just good for us all to have some civility, some integrity and seriousness back in the White House."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-04--Will Brexit drive a wedge between Boris Johnson and Joe Biden?

The pair clashed over the issue earlier this year , but now the Democrat is heading for the White House .
US election results : Will Brexit drive a wedge between Boris Johnson and Joe Biden ?
Joe Biden has made no secret of his opposition to Boris Johnson 's career-defining flagship policy : Brexit .
Mr Biden claims - wrongly , according to the prime minister - that the Good Friday Agreement is threatened by the Internal Market Bill , currently going through the House of Lords .
It 's a dispute that has the potential to cause problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the UK and US , an accord that UK prime ministers care about much more than US presidents .
That was very much alluded to in Mr Johnson 's statement congratulating the president-elect .
He wrote : `` The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities , from climate change to trade and security . ''
Back in September , Downing Street got into the sort of unseemly clash with the Democrats that soured John Major 's early relationship with Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his Republican opponent George Bush Senior .
The dispute began when Mr Biden tweeted : `` Any trade deal between the US and the UK must be contingent upon a respect for the Good Friday Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border .
Period .
`` We ca n't allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit . ''
It was a move that infuriated Mr Johnson and his Downing Street inner circle of Brexiteers .
But in a slap-down that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mr Biden , Downing Street appeared to suggest the Democratic contender for the White House did n't know what he was talking about .
`` We will continue to work with our US partners to ensure our position is understood , '' said Number 10 .
And the PM 's Brexit cheerleader Iain Duncan Smith sneered : `` We do n't need lectures on the Northern Ireland peace deal from Mr Biden . ''
Trump-loving Tory Brexiteers wo n't forget , either , that Joe Biden was vice-president to Barack Obama when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the UK in 2016 that Brexit would leave the UK `` at the back of the queue '' in trade deals with the US .
At the same time , Mr Obama was offended by Mr Johnson claiming his `` part-Kenyan heritage '' made him anti-British .
Officials in Brussels were claiming the Brexit negotiations had stalled while the outcome in Washington was in doubt , and now there 's a Biden victory the UK will feel the squeeze .
Inevitably , the relationship between Mr Biden and the prime minister - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosed this week - will not be as close as that between Mr Johnson and his soulmate in the White House for the past four years , Donald Trump .
It 's claimed the president gave Mr Johnson his personal mobile phone number and they speak on a regular basis .
Ideologically , the PM 's relationship with `` the Donald '' has been as close as those between soulmates Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan and Tony Blair 's with Bill Clinton .
So Mr Johnson has a big job on now to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That may not be easy .
It 's claimed that after Mr Trump 's support for Brexit , Mr Biden wants to build relations with the European Union .
In that case , Mr Johnson could be frozen out and fall behind the likes of French president Emmanuel Macron and Germany 's Angela Merkel in the race to be invited to meet Mr Biden in the White House .
Charles Grant , director of the Centre for European Reform think-tank , told Sky News : `` The Biden advisers I talk to are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons of national interest .
`` They saw Britain as a friend and helper in Europe who helped steer the EU in a pro-US direction , pushing Atlanticist agendas on free trade , a strong NATO and standing up to Russia .
`` More generally , Biden 's people are strong believers in multilateralism and believe the world is a better place with big international organisations with lots of power , like the World Health Organisation , the World Trade Organisation and the European Union .
`` Although Boris Johnson , to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organisation , the World Trade Organisation or the Paris climate change agreements , he has been strongly opposed to the EU , which Americans see as a force of stability in Europe .
`` They see the West as weakened with Britain leaving the EU .
They see the EU without Britain as weaker strategically , economically , diplomatically and in defence terms , facing other countries such as Russia . ''
But it 's not all bad news for the prime minister , even though Mr Biden identifies himself as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish heritage , because that always plays well in American politics , that was his mother 's side of the family .
His father 's side hailed from Sussex .
Looking back on Mr Biden 's long career in US politics , spanning nearly half a century , UK critics claim he was a key figure in persuading President Clinton to grant a US visa to Sinn Fein 's Gerry Adams in 1994 .
But a more careful and detailed look at 77-year-old Mr Biden 's long record suggests he is not at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Look back far enough into his record in US politics and the record shows that in 1982 the young Senator Biden was one of the strongest US supporters of the UK over the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands , while President Reagan and his Secretary of State Alexander Haig at first stayed neutral .
Mr Biden was the sponsor of a Senate resolution demanding that Washington declare itself to be on Britain 's side .
In a TV interview at the time , he said : `` My resolution calls for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on - the British side .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker '' The Argentines must be disabused of this notion that the US is neutral in this matter .
It is clear that Argentina is the aggressor .
It is clear that Britain is in the right and it should be clear to the whole world where the US stands . ''
Challenged in the interview if he was risking damaging relations with South American allies , Mr Biden replied : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by not standing with our oldest and closest ally . ''
So in many respects , Mr Biden is a good and reliable friend of the UK .
But Brexit threatens to damage that friendship .

The pair clashed over the issue earlier this year, but now the Democrat is heading for the White House.
Joe Biden has made no secret of his opposition to Boris Johnson's career-defining flagship policy: Brexit.
Mr Biden claims - wrongly, according to the prime minister - that the Good Friday Agreement is threatened by the Internal Market Bill, currently going through the House of Lords.
Image: Boris Johnson will be hoping to have a good relationship with the new regime in America
It's a dispute that has the potential to cause problems for the so-called "special relationship" between the UK and US, an accord that UK prime ministers care about much more than US presidents.
That was very much alluded to in Mr Johnson's statement congratulating the president-elect.
He wrote: "The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security."
Back in September, Downing Street got into the sort of unseemly clash with the Democrats that soured John Major's early relationship with Bill Clinton after the Tories lent their help to his Republican opponent George Bush Senior.
The dispute began when Mr Biden tweeted: "Any trade deal between the US and the UK must be contingent upon a respect for the Good Friday Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border. Period.
"We can't allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit."
It was a move that infuriated Mr Johnson and his Downing Street inner circle of Brexiteers. But in a slap-down that will not have endeared the prime minister to Mr Biden, Downing Street appeared to suggest the Democratic contender for the White House didn't know what he was talking about.
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"We will continue to work with our US partners to ensure our position is understood," said Number 10. And the PM's Brexit cheerleader Iain Duncan Smith sneered: "We don't need lectures on the Northern Ireland peace deal from Mr Biden."
Image: Mr Biden cultivated relationships with other UK political leaders
Image: Some will remember he served during Barack Obama's Brexit intervention
Trump-loving Tory Brexiteers won't forget, either, that Joe Biden was vice-president to Barack Obama when Mr Obama controversially declared during a visit to the UK in 2016 that Brexit would leave the UK "at the back of the queue" in trade deals with the US.
At the same time, Mr Obama was offended by Mr Johnson claiming his "part-Kenyan heritage" made him anti-British.
Officials in Brussels were claiming the Brexit negotiations had stalled while the outcome in Washington was in doubt, and now there's a Biden victory the UK will feel the squeeze.
Inevitably, the relationship between Mr Biden and the prime minister - who have never met, Downing Street disclosed this week - will not be as close as that between Mr Johnson and his soulmate in the White House for the past four years, Donald Trump.
It's claimed the president gave Mr Johnson his personal mobile phone number and they speak on a regular basis.
Ideologically, the PM's relationship with "the Donald" has been as close as those between soulmates Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan and Tony Blair's with Bill Clinton.
So Mr Johnson has a big job on now to repair relations with the Biden camp.
That may not be easy. It's claimed that after Mr Trump's support for Brexit, Mr Biden wants to build relations with the European Union.
In that case, Mr Johnson could be frozen out and fall behind the likes of French president Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Angela Merkel in the race to be invited to meet Mr Biden in the White House.
Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform think-tank, told Sky News: "The Biden advisers I talk to are concerned about Brexit, partly just for reasons of national interest.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:01 Could Joe Biden interrupt Brexit talks?
"They saw Britain as a friend and helper in Europe who helped steer the EU in a pro-US direction, pushing Atlanticist agendas on free trade, a strong NATO and standing up to Russia.
"More generally, Biden's people are strong believers in multilateralism and believe the world is a better place with big international organisations with lots of power, like the World Health Organisation, the World Trade Organisation and the European Union.
"Although Boris Johnson, to be fair, is not against the World Health Organisation, the World Trade Organisation or the Paris climate change agreements, he has been strongly opposed to the EU, which Americans see as a force of stability in Europe.
"They see the West as weakened with Britain leaving the EU. They see the EU without Britain as weaker strategically, economically, diplomatically and in defence terms, facing other countries such as Russia."
But it's not all bad news for the prime minister, even though Mr Biden identifies himself as a passionate Irish-American.
While he emphasises his Irish heritage, because that always plays well in American politics, that was his mother's side of the family. His father's side hailed from Sussex.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 11:46 'Biden feels Brexit reduced UK influence'
Looking back on Mr Biden's long career in US politics, spanning nearly half a century, UK critics claim he was a key figure in persuading President Clinton to grant a US visa to Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams in 1994.
But a more careful and detailed look at 77-year-old Mr Biden's long record suggests he is not at all anti-British, far from it.
Look back far enough into his record in US politics and the record shows that in 1982 the young Senator Biden was one of the strongest US supporters of the UK over the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, while President Reagan and his Secretary of State Alexander Haig at first stayed neutral.
Mr Biden was the sponsor of a Senate resolution demanding that Washington declare itself to be on Britain's side. In a TV interview at the time, he said: "My resolution calls for the US to state whose side we are on - the British side.
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"The Argentines must be disabused of this notion that the US is neutral in this matter. It is clear that Argentina is the aggressor. It is clear that Britain is in the right and it should be clear to the whole world where the US stands."
Challenged in the interview if he was risking damaging relations with South American allies, Mr Biden replied: "We lose a great deal more by not standing with our oldest and closest ally."
So in many respects, Mr Biden is a good and reliable friend of the UK. But Brexit threatens to damage that friendship.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--Brexit: Johnson insists EU trade deal is 'there to be done' as talks resume

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted that a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union is `` there to be done '' , as the end of the transition period looms .
A deal would need to be agreed by mid-November to allow time for ratification but talks had stalled in recent months , with both sides struggling to reach agreement on at least two main sticking points .
The chief negotiators - Michel Barnier for the EU and David Frost for the UK - will resume talks in London this week .
On his arrival in London on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very happy to be back '' and `` work continues '' on securing a deal .
Speaking ahead of the talks , Mr Johnson said : `` I 've always been a great enthusiast for a trade deal with our European friends and partners .
`` I think it 's there to be done , the broad outlines are pretty clear .
We just need to get on and do it if we can .
And I said that to ( European Commission president ) Ursula Von der Leyen just yesterday .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The main obstacles to a deal are guarantees on fair competition , especially over state aid rules ; and fisheries , a symbolic sector for Brexit supporters .
The move comes after Mr Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen spoke by phone on Saturday for `` a stock take '' on the progress of the stop-start negotiations , with both acknowledging `` significant differences '' remain .
Another source of conflict between the two sides is Mr Johnson 's determination to press ahead with a controversial bill , despite warnings from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Market Bill , due to be voted on by peers this week , would override clauses in the Withdrawal Agreement which relate to Northern Ireland .
The government has already admitted it breaks international law .
Mr Biden , who has Irish heritage , said in September that the Good Friday Agreement should not be `` a casualty of Brexit '' , adding that a UK-US trade deal would depend on the agreement being upheld .
Mr Johnson said : `` The whole point of that bill , and indeed the Finance Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Good Friday Agreement and the peace process in Northern Ireland .
`` And again , that 's one of the things that we 're united on with our friends in the White House . ''
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wrote in The Guardian : `` If the government is serious about a reset in its relationship with the United States , then it should take an early first step and drop these proposals . ''

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted that a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union is "there to be done", as the end of the transition period looms.
A deal would need to be agreed by mid-November to allow time for ratification but talks had stalled in recent months, with both sides struggling to reach agreement on at least two main sticking points.
The chief negotiators - Michel Barnier for the EU and David Frost for the UK - will resume talks in London this week.
Image: Mr Johnson says he told Ms von der Leyen: 'We just need to get on and do it if we can'
On his arrival in London on Sunday, Mr Barnier said he was "very happy to be back" and "work continues" on securing a deal.
Speaking ahead of the talks, Mr Johnson said: "I've always been a great enthusiast for a trade deal with our European friends and partners.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 Brexit: UK open to '2-3 year' fishing deal
"I think it's there to be done, the broad outlines are pretty clear. We just need to get on and do it if we can. And I said that to [European Commission president] Ursula Von der Leyen just yesterday. And she totally agrees with me."
The main obstacles to a deal are guarantees on fair competition, especially over state aid rules; and fisheries, a symbolic sector for Brexit supporters.
The move comes after Mr Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen spoke by phone on Saturday for "a stock take" on the progress of the stop-start negotiations, with both acknowledging "significant differences" remain.
Another source of conflict between the two sides is Mr Johnson's determination to press ahead with a controversial bill, despite warnings from US president-elect Joe Biden.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:26 Will Mr Biden's presidency affect Brexit talks?
The Internal Market Bill, due to be voted on by peers this week, would override clauses in the Withdrawal Agreement which relate to Northern Ireland.
The government has already admitted it breaks international law.
Mr Biden, who has Irish heritage, said in September that the Good Friday Agreement should not be "a casualty of Brexit", adding that a UK-US trade deal would depend on the agreement being upheld.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:42 'Half of firms have gone backwards' in Brexit planning
Mr Johnson said: "The whole point of that bill, and indeed the Finance Bill, is to protect and uphold the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process in Northern Ireland.
"And again, that's one of the things that we're united on with our friends in the White House."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wrote in The Guardian: "If the government is serious about a reset in its relationship with the United States, then it should take an early first step and drop these proposals."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-08--Boris Johnson: 'The US is our closest and most important ally - that won't change'

Boris Johnson has said America is the UK 's `` closest and most important ally '' - and that `` wo n't change '' under a new president .
Congratulating both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their US election victory , the prime minister said the two countries would work together to support democracy and combat issues such as tackling climate change .
Mr Johnson 's comments echoed those of Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab , who told Sky News earlier on Sunday that the US will have `` no more dependable friend '' than the UK .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important ally ... and that 's been the case under president after president , prime minister after prime minister , '' Mr Johnson said .
`` It wo n't change . ''
Mr Johnson said he was looking forward to working with Mr Biden and his team `` on a lot of crucial stuff for us in the weeks and months ahead : tackling climate change , trade , international security , many , many , many , many , many other issues '' .
Dismissing the idea there may be challenges , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more that unites the government of this country and government in Washington any time , any stage , than divides us '' .
Mr Raab , speaking on Sky News ' Sophy Ridge On Sunday , said he was `` excited '' to be collaborating with the new US administration .
He too disregarded the suggestion of any difficulties with the new relationship , following claims from some US commentators that previous comments by Mr Johnson on Barack Obama 's Kenyan heritage had damaged ties with the Democrats .
Mr Raab said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snippet '' from social media or political activists but that evidence from his work with the British Embassy in Washington on the ground , talking to Congressional leaders , caucus leaders and to President-elect Biden over past months proved otherwise .
`` I know there will always be points of tension in any relationship - particularly the deepest and most profound ones - but the bedrock , the depth and the range of things we do together , and the things that President-elect Biden wants to achieve internationally… these are all things , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and our hosting of COP 26 [ climate conference ] , we will have huge amounts which we can cooperate on . ''
He added : `` I am excited about working with the new administration and am confident the relationship between the UK and the US will thrive in the weeks and months ahead . ''
However , his reassurances came just moments after former chancellor Sajid Javid took a rather more outspoken swipe at US politics , labelling Donald Trump `` adolescent '' and saying he had done `` huge amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people around the president to `` tell him to stop '' his persistent claims of voter fraud .
`` The US is a beacon of democracy across the world , as we are , and he 's still doing damage because he has n't stopped , '' Mr Javid said .
`` We are privileged to have democracy , the Americans are privileged to have it .
There are so many people around the world that yearn for democracy .
`` And the behaviour of the US president is frankly adolescent behaviour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Asked if the `` best man won '' the election , Mr Javid said : `` I think so , yes .
I do think it 's the right outcome not just for the US , that 's a decision of course for the US people , but it 's the best outcome for the UK as well .
`` I also think no matter what your politics , it will be just good for us all to have some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the White House . ''


skynewspolitics--2020-11-08--Boris Johnson moves to calm Biden's Brexit fears over Northern Ireland

Boris Johnson has said the `` whole point '' of controversial Brexit legislation enabling ministers to break international law is to safeguard the Northern Ireland peace process , as he moved to reassure President-elect Joe Biden .
He made his comments as Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also sought to calm fears of the incoming Democratic administration and insisted it was Brussels that was putting at risk the Good Friday Agreement , which ended 30 years of violence .
Mr Biden , who is of Irish ancestry , has been critical of the UK 's plans to override parts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland if no deal is reached with the EU .
The president-elect has previously warned a UK-US trade deal is `` contingent '' on respect for the peace accord and the prevention of a return to a hard Irish border .
`` We ca n't allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit , '' Mr Biden said in September .
But Mr Johnson has repeated the purpose of the Internal Market Bill is to `` protect and uphold the Good Friday Agreement '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Lords is expected to vote on Monday to strip out the contentious section of the legislation that would allow for parts of the EU withdrawal agreement to be quashed , breaching international law .
Confirming he would press ahead despite the criticism , Mr Johnson said : `` The whole point of that bill ... is to protect and uphold the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process in Northern Ireland .
`` That is one of the things that we 're united on with our friends in the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU remains `` there to be done '' , with negotiations set to resume on Monday .
And he believed there was `` a good chance '' of the UK securing a trade agreement with the US following Mr Biden 's presidential election win .
However , some have suggested it may be harder to strike a good deal from Mr Biden than it would have been from Mr Trump , who Mr Johnson is seen as being closer to .
The president-elect has previously called Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Donald Trump '' , while leading Democrats have also been critical of the PM , with one branding him a `` shapeshifting creep '' .
Mr Raab also said he believed the UK would be able to allay US concerns on Northern Ireland .
He told the BBC : `` We 've been very clear we are absolutely committed to respect the Good Friday Agreement but our argument is , and it was good to have the opportunity when I was in Washington to explain , it is the EU who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has taken .
`` We want to resolve all those issues with the EU - obviously the negotiations are ongoing , there is a good chance of a deal if we get the flexibility from the EU on fisheries and level-playing field . ''
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He added : `` I 'm confident we will navigate all of those issues sensitively , correctly , and , as I said , we listen very carefully to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in the Irish lobby - they feel very invested in the Good Friday Agreement , we understand that , and I pay tribute to what George Mitchell and Bill Clinton did - but it is not the UK which is putting it at risk , it is the approach of the EU . ''

Boris Johnson has said the "whole point" of controversial Brexit legislation enabling ministers to break international law is to safeguard the Northern Ireland peace process, as he moved to reassure President-elect Joe Biden.
He made his comments as Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also sought to calm fears of the incoming Democratic administration and insisted it was Brussels that was putting at risk the Good Friday Agreement, which ended 30 years of violence.
Mr Biden, who is of Irish ancestry, has been critical of the UK's plans to override parts of the Brexit divorce agreement in relation to Northern Ireland if no deal is reached with the EU.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:48 PM 'looks forward' to working with Joe Biden
The president-elect has previously warned a UK-US trade deal is "contingent" on respect for the peace accord and the prevention of a return to a hard Irish border.
"We can't allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit," Mr Biden said in September.
But Mr Johnson has repeated the purpose of the Internal Market Bill is to "protect and uphold the Good Friday Agreement".
His comments come as the House of Lords is expected to vote on Monday to strip out the contentious section of the legislation that would allow for parts of the EU withdrawal agreement to be quashed, breaching international law.
Confirming he would press ahead despite the criticism, Mr Johnson said: "The whole point of that bill... is to protect and uphold the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process in Northern Ireland.
"That is one of the things that we're united on with our friends in the White House."
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The prime minister also insisted that a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU remains "there to be done", with negotiations set to resume on Monday.
And he believed there was "a good chance" of the UK securing a trade agreement with the US following Mr Biden's presidential election win.
However, some have suggested it may be harder to strike a good deal from Mr Biden than it would have been from Mr Trump, who Mr Johnson is seen as being closer to.
The president-elect has previously called Mr Johnson the "physical and emotional clone of Donald Trump", while leading Democrats have also been critical of the PM, with one branding him a "shapeshifting creep".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:48 Raab 'excited' to work with new US administration
Mr Raab also said he believed the UK would be able to allay US concerns on Northern Ireland.
He told the BBC: "We've been very clear we are absolutely committed to respect the Good Friday Agreement but our argument is, and it was good to have the opportunity when I was in Washington to explain, it is the EU who has put pressure on that with the approach it has taken.
"We want to resolve all those issues with the EU - obviously the negotiations are ongoing, there is a good chance of a deal if we get the flexibility from the EU on fisheries and level-playing field."
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He added: "I'm confident we will navigate all of those issues sensitively, correctly, and, as I said, we listen very carefully to our American friends, particularly on the Hill and in the Irish lobby - they feel very invested in the Good Friday Agreement, we understand that, and I pay tribute to what George Mitchell and Bill Clinton did - but it is not the UK which is putting it at risk, it is the approach of the EU."