conservativehome--2020-03-23--A sunset clause should apply to the Government’s emergency powers bill after a year

As the number of coronavirus cases and deaths rise , most people ’ s attention will understandably be focused on immediate concerns ; how do they keep vulnerable groups safe ( if they themselves are not vulnerable ) ; are there enough food supplies and medical equipment , and should the government be enforcing lockdowns ?
Given the paramount nature of these considerations , it has been harder to spot the upcoming Emergency Coronavirus Bill – which the government expects to pass Parliament in all its stages today , and deserves serious contemplation .
It grants MPs some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War II , but they will have incredibly little time to debate the 329-page document – such is the ferocity of the Coronavirus , which has greatly compromised parliamentarians ’ ability to be in Westminster at all .
Of course , we are in a crisis , and most of us simply want to do “ whatever it takes ” ( to echo Rishi Sunak ’ s words ) to save lives and keep loved ones safe .
There ’ s the temptation to say “ let ’ s get this thing through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the Bill is proposing some radical changes , and is designed to last for two years – making its risks quite considerable to our way of life , so it deserves significant contemplation .
Perhaps its prime function is to give the police , public health and immigration officers more authority .
Currently the police are allowed to arrest anyone who fails to comply with regulations , and courts can impose fines of up to £1,000 , but they will soon be able to detain and quarantine anyone who they suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , these powers are designed to control those who pose a public health danger , but ultimately means we can all be taken into a “ suitable location ” for assssment and kept there if suspected of being infectious .
A more chilling part of the Bill focuses on crematoriums , with the aim of speeding up the disposal of dead bodies .
Local authorities will be allowed to direct the ways in which these are facilitated , stored and disposed of ( with the Bill adding that this should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Furthermore , only one doctor will be necessary to authorise a cremation – although a “ medical referee ” at a crematorium will have to sign off the paperwork .
Up until now , two doctors have been required to sign this off ; chillingly , it was a rule created after Harold Shipman murdered around 250 patients through lethal injections .
Relaxing regulations , generally , is one of the main aims of the Bill .
It will mean that recently-retired doctors and nurses can return to work ; that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can temporarily be added to registers , and that judicial commissioners can be temporarily appointed , who can authorise warrants under anti-terror laws .
This is , of course , fantastic ; these people are our unsung heroes , and will be lifelines in the coming months and years ahead .
But the harder question to ask is how relaxing qualifications , en masse , will affect the UK ?
What do temporarily appointed judicial commissioners mean for law and order ?
In other words , we should not pretend this Bill is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in a completely unprecedented situation – so it ’ s highly likely the legislation will go through .
Not least because the Government is exhausted , doesn ’ t have much time to play with and there are urgent priorities ; finding ventilators and protecting NHS workers .
Even so , a reform this significant should not pass without questions .
Fortunately , David Davis , Harriet Harman and Andrew Mitchell have already signed a cross-party amendment to put a “ sunset ” clause on the legislation after a year .
Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means the legislation gets renewed every two months .
While they may come across as troublemakers – when most people want the Government response to be full-steam ahead – this is what ’ s needed to make this Bill palatable .
With sunset clauses , regular debates and votes , it can be kept under review .
But we should not be complacent over this piece of legislation .
What seems the right thing now can be the curtailment of our freedoms in years to come .

As the number of coronavirus cases and deaths rise, most people’s attention will understandably be focused on immediate concerns; how do they keep vulnerable groups safe (if they themselves are not vulnerable); are there enough food supplies and medical equipment, and should the government be enforcing lockdowns?
Given the paramount nature of these considerations, it has been harder to spot the upcoming Emergency Coronavirus Bill – which the government expects to pass Parliament in all its stages today, and deserves serious contemplation.
It grants MPs some of the biggest powers since the end of World War II, but they will have incredibly little time to debate the 329-page document – such is the ferocity of the Coronavirus, which has greatly compromised parliamentarians’ ability to be in Westminster at all.
Of course, we are in a crisis, and most of us simply want to do “whatever it takes” (to echo Rishi Sunak’s words) to save lives and keep loved ones safe. There’s the temptation to say “let’s get this thing through” when it comes to the legislation.
But the Bill is proposing some radical changes, and is designed to last for two years – making its risks quite considerable to our way of life, hence why it needs scrutiny.
Perhaps its prime function is to give the police, public health and immigration officers more authority. Currently the police are allowed to arrest anyone who fails to comply with regulations, and courts can impose fines of up to £1,000, but they will soon be able to detain and quarantine anyone who they suspect of being infected with the Coronavirus.
Of course, these powers are designed to control those who pose a public health danger, but ultimately means we can all be taken into a “suitable location” for assssment and kept there if suspected of being infectious.
A more chilling part of the Bill focuses on crematoriums, with the aim of speeding up the disposal of dead bodies. Local authorities will be allowed to direct the ways in which these are facilitated, stored and disposed of (with the Bill adding that this should be done with “care and respect”).
Furthermore, only one doctor will be necessary to authorise a cremation – although a “medical referee” at a crematorium will have to sign off the paperwork. Up until now, two doctors have been required to sign this off; a rule created after Harold Shipman murdered around 250 patients through lethal injections.
Relaxing regulations, generally, is one of the main aims of the Bill. It will mean that recently-retired doctors and nurses can return to work; that social workers who’ve recently left can temporarily be added to registers, and that judicial commissioners can be temporarily appointed, who can authorise warrants under anti-terror laws.
This is, of course, fantastic; these people are our unsung heroes, and will be lifelines in the coming months and years ahead. But the harder question to ask is how relaxing qualifications, en masse, will affect the UK? What do temporarily appointed judicial commissioners mean for law and order?
In other words, we should not pretend this Bill is just another day in politics. We are in a completely unprecedented situation – so it’s highly likely the legislation will go through. Not least because the Government is exhausted, doesn’t have much time to play with and there are urgent priorities; finding ventilators and protecting NHS workers.
Even so, a reform this significant should not pass without questions. Fortunately, David Davis, Harriet Harman and Andrew Mitchell have already signed a cross-party amendment to put a “sunset” clause on the legislation after a year. Chris Bryant has also sought an amendment that means the legislation gets renewed every two months.
While they may come across as troublemakers – when most people want the Government response to be full-steam ahead – this is what’s needed to make this Bill palatable. With sunset clauses, regular debates and votes, it can be kept under review.
But we should not be complacent over this piece of legislation. What seems the right thing now can be the curtailment of our freedoms in years to come.


Coronavirus Count

Total number of cases in the UK : 5,683 ( Up from 5,018 at the last count on this site ) .
Daily confirmed cases : 665 ( The last figure was 1,035 ) .
From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
Total UK cases COVID-19 Cases Update .
The above are figures for England .
“ The risk to the UK has been raised to high ” – From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( SOCIAL DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
STAY AT HOME IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE CORONAVIRUS ( SELF-DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR WORKERS ON WHAT AND HOW THEY CAN CLAIM NEW See here .
Published on Friday March 20 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON WHAT THE CORONAVIRUS BILL WILL DO See here .
Published on Wednesday March 18 HOW TO AVOID CATCHING OR SPREADING CORONAVIRUS • Wash your hands with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for at least 20 seconds .
• Always wash your hands when you get home or into work .
• Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available .
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve ( not your hands ) when you cough or sneeze .
• Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards .
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell .
The symptoms of coronavirus are : However , these symptoms do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common , such as cold and flu .
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do .
Use this service if : • You think you might have coronavirus .
• In the last 14 days you ’ ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see the coronavirus advice for travellers .
• You ’ ve been in close contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours .
• In Wales call 111 ( if available in your area ) or 0845 46 47 .
• Do not go to a GP surgery , pharmacy or hospital .
• What the coronavirus is , how it ’ s spread and how to avoid catching it – Government NHS website overview .
• Stay at home advice and how to manage self-isolation .
All information taken from Government sources .
Update as of 7am on Monday 23rd March .

HEADLINE FACTS
Total number of lab-confirmed UK cases: 292,950 (Up from 291,409).
Total number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths: 41,481 (Up from 41,279).
Daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases: 1,541 (Up from 1,266).
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths: 202 (Up from 151).
England total cases: 156,410 (Up from 156,018 ).
England total deaths: 37,069 (Up from 36,883).
England death rate: 279.4 (Was 278.7).
Scotland total cases: 15,709 (Up from 15,682).
Scotland total deaths: 2,439 (Up from 2,434).
Scotland death rate: 288.9 (Was 288.4).
Wales total cases: 14,658 (Up from 14,581).
Wales total deaths: 1,435 (Up from 1,425).
Wales death rate: 467.0 (Was 464.6)
Northern Ireland total cases: 4,838 (Up from 4,822)
Northern Ireland total deaths: 538 (Up from 537).
Northern Ireland death rate: 257.1 (Was 256.3).
From the Government’s website Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK.
DAILY NUMBER OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED DEATHS BY DATE REPORTED
DAILY NUMBER OF LAB-CONFIRMED ENGLAND CASES
From the Government’s website Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK.
– – –
RISK
“The risk to the UK has been raised to high” –
From the Government’s website Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK.
– – –
NHS VOLUNTEER RESPONDER FORM
See here
(The Government’s scheme to recruit 250,000 volunteers.)
– – –
OUR PLAN TO REBUILD: THE UK GOVERNMENT’S COVID-19 RECOVERY STRATEGY
See here. New as of Monday May 11.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON THE LOCKDOWN.
See here. New as of Tuesday June 2.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON SHIELDING AND PROTECTING PEOPLE WHO ARE CLINICALLY EXTREMELY VULNERABLE FROM COVID-19
See here. New as of Tuesday June 2.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON SOCIAL DISTANCING
See here. New as of Tuesday June 2.
GOVERNMENT WEBSITE: GENERAL ADVICE
See here.
GOVERNMENT WEBSITE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. WHAT YOU CAN DO AND CAN’T DO
See here.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR LANDLORDS, TENANTS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES NEW
See here. Published on Saturday March 28.
– – –
HOW TO AVOID CATCHING OR SPREADING CORONAVIRUS
Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds .
Always wash your hands when you get home or into work .
Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available .
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze .
Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards .
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
A cough.
A high temperature.
Shortness of breath.
However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
USING 111
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.
Use this service if:
You think you might have coronavirus.
In the last 14 days you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see the coronavirus advice for travellers.
You’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.
In Scotland call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours.
In Wales call 111 (if available in your area) or 0845 46 47.
In Northern Ireland call 111.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
FURTHER LINKS TO GOVERNMENT ADVICE
– – –
(All information taken from Government sources.
Updated as of 19.00 on Friday June 12.)


conservativehome--2020-03-23--Neil O’Brien: We are on a terrible course. But some people are still messing about as though this we

Neil O’Brien: We are on a terrible course. But some people are still messing about as though this were a game.

In the middle of an unprecedented crisis , British people naturally reach for metaphors from the Second World War .
It ’ s right in some senses .
We have to all pull together .
There ’ s a certain “ Blitz spirit ” at work : across my constituency many people are stepping up to organise local support groups for those self-isolating .
Hoarders are the villains of the hour , just as they were then .
And just as during the war , life is easier in villages than cities .
I don ’ t just mean that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardest hit so far .
People self-distancing can more easily go for a solitary walk .
Where people have gardens children can play outside .
More importantly , villages seem more quickly to be organising self-help groups to help those force to self-isolate to shield themselves .
I ’ m not sure why : it may be there are more institutions to organise around ( church , parish council etc ) .
Like MPs and councils across the land , trying to organise voluntary action , I ’ m currently worrying about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is less happening spontaneously .
As in the war , extraordinary measures are being taken extraordinarily quickly .
The lowest interest rates for 325 years .
Emergency legislation .
Emergency economic measures .
For a Conservative Government to announce we will underwrite all employees ’ wages at 80 per cent is something that people thought would never happen in a month of Sundays .
And yet a month of Sundays is more or less exactly what we are facing – an economy where large sectors are shut , while we try and keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended animation until the crisis can be resolved .
That ’ s where the war metaphor starts to break down .
In the second world war production increased : GDP rose 16 per cent from 1938 to 1945 .
We tried to get as many people into work as possible .
Rosie the riveter .
Land girls .
The future Queen driving a truck for the ATS .
Today the focus is almost the opposite : reducing contact as much as possible , increasing working from home as much as possible , shutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rishi Sunak has rightly drawn plaudits from across the political spectrum for his quick action to keep businesses afloat and unprecedentedly radical measures to stop unemployment soaring .
Speaking to my local hospitals , it is particularly helpful that they have been guaranteed they will have whatever they need financially to fight this .
The Government has taken the “ big bazooka ” approach that this site encouraged .
Given that the economy will contract unprecedentedly quickly , while borrowing rises dramatically , it must be likely that the deficit will soar to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Second World War .
Chris Giles on the Financial Times suggested it will go from the 2.4 per cent suggested for this year to 10 per cent .
That number could easily go higher – but it ’ s the right thing to do .
Letting vast numbers of sound businesses go under because of an event they could never ever have insured against would destroy huge amounts of value : the processes and knowledge and contacts built up inside those firms can ’ t just be magicked back into existence : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With the bazooka being well-wielded by Sunak , it seems almost churlish to suggest some further things the Treasury could do .
But here are three .
First , the self-employed .
There are different kinds of help available .
They can now get an interest free loan for 12 months , their tax bills are deferred , they can get Universal Credit with the minimum income floor removed .
But still , they are not able to get the kind of paid suspension of employment that employees can .
Helping the self-employed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Treasury to crack .
Government doesn ’ t hold everyone ’ s bank details ( even for large firms ) and self-employed people have wildly fluctuating earnings .
Because of self-assessment , there are long lags on even knowing how much tax they are paying .
Many people are both employed and self-employed so could be getting helped twice over if they take the 80 per cent support for employment .
And many are still working and making money .
Could the answer to these thorny problems be to aim for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
To pay out to self-employed people who apply some kind of temporary hardship support , roughly linked to the tax they have paid in previous years ?
There could be a cap and floor on payments , or even a flat rate for those with previous income above a certain threshold .
And people who apply who have not seen a genuine income drop off having the money clawed back later .
I can ’ t see any way that could be anything other than an expensive , messy , manual process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the way .
But unbelievably rough justice might be better than none at all for self-employed people , many of who are pretty screwed otherwise .
Our entrepreneurs are like the seeds of future growth : it ’ s worth helping them survive this economic winter .
Second , welfare .
Sunak rightly made Universal Credit and the housing benefit part of it more generous , and he is right to focus first on stopping people losing their jobs in the first place .
Perhaps the next step should be to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of Universal Credit ?
Move to payments twice a month , and make the current advances that are offered at the start of a new claim into a grant .
It might cost a billion or two a year while running but could hugely reduce disruption – including for many people working part time .
Third , more positively , perhaps we should learn from one of the better measures taken in ( sorry ) the Second World War .
Then government funded a huge programme of retooling for industry .
Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just capital allowances ( tax breaks on investment ) but capital grants .
There are all kinds of reasons to do this .
Car and other production lines that are unbelievably expensive to stop will be stopped anyway .
Britain has a long-term underinvestment problem , and we have invest to raise our productivity ( not least to pay off the large debts we are about to incur ) .
Such support would have a highly multiplier effect once we can start to see the light at the end of this tunnel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ now to produce more ventillators , I suspect we will want to see more manufacturing here , more focus on preserving critical capacities and our own industrial commons .
Much of the debt we are about to incur we will ( seemingly ) have nothing to show for it : it ’ s just the price to avoid a catastrophic alternative .
It would be nice for part of our economic agenda for this crisis to have a more optimistic , forwarding looking note .
And my God , we are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at the graph which John Burn-Murdoch updates daily , showing how the virus is spreading on a log scale across the world and the death rate by country .
It seems to me we are on a terrible , terrible course , and yet some people are still messing about like this is a game .
All I can say to anyone who will listen is : Stay Home , Protect the NHS , Save Lives .
We are on track to see the same distressing scenes we are seeing today in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change their behaviour dramatically .
It feels weird to write about the economy because so many people are about to be in such desperate need , and when I finish this piece I will go back to working on how we can help them locally .
But we need to take action on the economy because – sadly – this is likely to be a marathon , not a sprint .
Once we lockdown fully as Italy just did and people heed the advice , the disease will slow , as it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and out of such lockdown measures for a long time until a vaccine is developed and scaled up .
This is not even the end of the beginning , and we are in for a long period of blood , sweat and tears .

Neil O’Brien is MP for Harborough.
In the middle of an unprecedented crisis, British people naturally reach for metaphors from the Second World War. It’s right in some senses. We have to all pull together. There’s a certain “Blitz spirit” at work: across my constituency many people are stepping up to organise local support groups for those self-isolating.
Hoarders are the villains of the hour, just as they were then. And just as during the war, life is easier in villages than cities. I don’t just mean that London and the black country are the hardest hit so far. People self-distancing can more easily go for a solitary walk. Where people have gardens children can play outside.
More importantly, villages seem more quickly to be organising self-help groups to help those force to self-isolate to shield themselves. I’m not sure why: it may be there are more institutions to organise around (church, parish council etc). Like MPs and councils across the land, trying to organise voluntary action, I’m currently worrying about how we best serve other places where there is less happening spontaneously.
As in the war, extraordinary measures are being taken extraordinarily quickly. The lowest interest rates for 325 years. Emergency legislation. Emergency economic measures. For a Conservative Government to announce we will underwrite all employees’ wages at 80 per cent is something that people thought would never happen in a month of Sundays.
And yet a month of Sundays is more or less exactly what we are facing – an economy where large sectors are shut, while we try and keep sound businesses in a sort of cryogenic suspended animation until the crisis can be resolved.
That’s where the war metaphor starts to break down. In the second world war production increased: GDP rose 16 per cent from 1938 to 1945. We tried to get as many people into work as possible. Rosie the riveter. Land girls. The future Queen driving a truck for the ATS.
Today the focus is almost the opposite: reducing contact as much as possible, increasing working from home as much as possible, shutting every pub, bar and club. Rishi Sunak has rightly drawn plaudits from across the political spectrum for his quick action to keep businesses afloat and unprecedentedly radical measures to stop unemployment soaring.
Speaking to my local hospitals, it is particularly helpful that they have been guaranteed they will have whatever they need financially to fight this. The Government has taken the “big bazooka” approach that this site encouraged.
Given that the economy will contract unprecedentedly quickly, while borrowing rises dramatically, it must be likely that the deficit will soar to levels not seen since, well, the Second World War. Chris Giles on the Financial Times suggested it will go from the 2.4 per cent suggested for this year to 10 per cent.
That number could easily go higher – but it’s the right thing to do. Letting vast numbers of sound businesses go under because of an event they could never ever have insured against would destroy huge amounts of value: the processes and knowledge and contacts built up inside those firms can’t just be magicked back into existence: eggs can’t be unscrambled.
With the bazooka being well-wielded by Sunak, it seems almost churlish to suggest some further things the Treasury could do. But here are three.
First, the self-employed. There are different kinds of help available. They can now get an interest free loan for 12 months, their tax bills are deferred, they can get Universal Credit with the minimum income floor removed. But still, they are not able to get the kind of paid suspension of employment that employees can.
Helping the self-employed is just fundamentally a hard nut for the Treasury to crack. Government doesn’t hold everyone’s bank details (even for large firms) and self-employed people have wildly fluctuating earnings. Because of self-assessment, there are long lags on even knowing how much tax they are paying. Many people are both employed and self-employed so could be getting helped twice over if they take the 80 per cent support for employment. And many are still working and making money.
Could the answer to these thorny problems be to aim for a kind of very, very rough justice? To pay out to self-employed people who apply some kind of temporary hardship support, roughly linked to the tax they have paid in previous years? There could be a cap and floor on payments, or even a flat rate for those with previous income above a certain threshold. And people who apply who have not seen a genuine income drop off having the money clawed back later.
I can’t see any way that could be anything other than an expensive, messy, manual process to administer, with many unfair outcomes along the way. But unbelievably rough justice might be better than none at all for self-employed people, many of who are pretty screwed otherwise. Our entrepreneurs are like the seeds of future growth: it’s worth helping them survive this economic winter.
Second, welfare. Sunak rightly made Universal Credit and the housing benefit part of it more generous, and he is right to focus first on stopping people losing their jobs in the first place.
Perhaps the next step should be to go further and end the wait at the start of Universal Credit? Move to payments twice a month, and make the current advances that are offered at the start of a new claim into a grant. It might cost a billion or two a year while running but could hugely reduce disruption – including for many people working part time.
Third, more positively, perhaps we should learn from one of the better measures taken in (sorry) the Second World War. Then government funded a huge programme of retooling for industry. Today we should do the same: not just capital allowances (tax breaks on investment) but capital grants. There are all kinds of reasons to do this. Car and other production lines that are unbelievably expensive to stop will be stopped anyway. Britain has a long-term underinvestment problem, and we have invest to raise our productivity (not least to pay off the large debts we are about to incur). Such support would have a highly multiplier effect once we can start to see the light at the end of this tunnel.
After Coronavirus and the race underway right now to produce more ventillators, I suspect we will want to see more manufacturing here, more focus on preserving critical capacities and our own industrial commons.
Much of the debt we are about to incur we will (seemingly) have nothing to show for it: it’s just the price to avoid a catastrophic alternative. It would be nice for part of our economic agenda for this crisis to have a more optimistic, forwarding looking note. And my God, we are going to need some optimism.
Every night I look at the graph which John Burn-Murdoch updates daily, showing how the virus is spreading on a log scale across the world and the death rate by country. It seems to me we are on a terrible, terrible course, and yet some people are still messing about like this is a game. All I can say to anyone who will listen is: Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives. We are on track to see the same distressing scenes we are seeing today in Italy (or worse) unless people change their behaviour dramatically.
It feels weird to write about the economy because so many people are about to be in such desperate need, and when I finish this piece I will go back to working on how we can help them locally. But we need to take action on the economy because – sadly – this is likely to be a marathon, not a sprint.
Once we lockdown fully as Italy just did and people heed the advice, the disease will slow, as it has elsewhere. But we could be in and out of such lockdown measures for a long time until a vaccine is developed and scaled up.
This is not even the end of the beginning, and we are in for a long period of blood, sweat and tears.


conservativehome--2020-03-23--Matthew Maxwell Scott: A tribute to Richard Tracey

Matthew Maxwell Scott was Chairman of Tooting Conservatives from 2007 to 2011 , and a councillor for Earlsfield Ward in the constituency from 2010 to 2014 .
Amongst the awful events sweeping the globe , some local sadness too .
Richard Tracey , MP for Surbiton from 1983 to 1997 and much more besides , has died suddenly aged 77 .
Anyone involved in South West London politics over the better part of the last half century will know what wretched news this is .
Dick was deeply respected across the political spectrum and was a tireless activist – but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
He was a wonderful friend .
One of the architects of the famous Tory victory in Wandsworth in 1978 , he never stopped campaigning in the borough and at the time of his death remained President of Tooting Association ( where I enjoyed four not-uneventful years as chairman ) .
As the London Assembly member for Merton and Wandsworth from 2008-16 he became Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group and was an enthusiastic spokesman for transport , doing much in particular to secure better services for passengers on the Thames .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ambassador for the River , privately ( and fondly ) referring to him as “ Old Man River ” .
Yet old is not a word any of us would associate with Dick .
Ageless would be better .
During a pub supper I enjoyed with him just a few weeks ago – although it feels like a lifetime now – he was as splendid company as ever , the conversation flitting from tales of the BBC in the 1970s , parliament in the 1980s and 1990s , and City Hall more recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from frontline politics in 2016 came at the right time because “ nobody else had suggested it first – or at least not to my face.
” He was so pleased to be spending more time with his beloved wife Kathy , herself a leading figure in Wandsworth politics , and his many children and grandchildren , whose achievements and qualities he proudly reeled off .
At a time when all of us are so concerned about what lies ahead , for Dick ’ s loved ones to face the future without him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was always there .
Unlike many former MPs , Dick saw no reason to stop knocking on doors , delivering leaflets , or attending time-thieving committee meetings .
Inactivity would have been unthinkable .
Understandably , his experience of defeat in the 1997 general election to Ed Davey , by 56 votes , never left him .
However , it was a disappointment he wore well , any negative thoughts lost in the positive energy he showed for whoever he was helping at the time .
It was this example he showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his conviviality , and his sense of humour , that made him so popular .
When I first ran for council in 2006 , it was flat-capped Dick ’ s relentless pounding of the pavements which did more than anything else to help secure a ten per cent swing and see Tooting Ward , which previously had Sadiq Khan as a councillor , turn blue for the first time since the 1960s .
A devoted sports fan who rose to that most-coveted position of Sports Minister from 1985-87 , he would have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt looked forward to enjoying live action even more when it returned .
A ( responsible ) fan of pubs , not least Youngs ’ establishments in Wandsworth , he would have hated the current closures but understood completely their purpose .
I know many of us will raise a glass to him when they reopen , happy in the knowledge that it ’ s what he would have wanted , but so very sad that he isn ’ t there too .
It was not the coronavirus that took Dick from us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its wake we don ’ t take time to mark his passing .
No doubt there will be an adequate opportunity when things return to something resembling normal to get together and remember his exceptional public service as well as his warmth , generosity , and kindness .
For now though , the Conservative family , but above all his own family , have lost a great man .

Matthew Maxwell Scott was Chairman of Tooting Conservatives from 2007 to 2011, and a councillor for Earlsfield Ward in the constituency from 2010 to 2014.
Amongst the awful events sweeping the globe, some local sadness too. Richard Tracey, MP for Surbiton from 1983 to 1997 and much more besides, has died suddenly aged 77.
Anyone involved in South West London politics over the better part of the last half century will know what wretched news this is. Dick was deeply respected across the political spectrum and was a tireless activist – but amongst fellow Conservatives he was more than that. He was a wonderful friend.
One of the architects of the famous Tory victory in Wandsworth in 1978, he never stopped campaigning in the borough and at the time of his death remained President of Tooting Association (where I enjoyed four not-uneventful years as chairman).
As the London Assembly member for Merton and Wandsworth from 2008-16 he became Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group and was an enthusiastic spokesman for transport, doing much in particular to secure better services for passengers on the Thames. As Mayor, Boris Johnson appointed him Ambassador for the River, privately (and fondly) referring to him as “Old Man River”.
Yet old is not a word any of us would associate with Dick. Ageless would be better. During a pub supper I enjoyed with him just a few weeks ago – although it feels like a lifetime now – he was as splendid company as ever, the conversation flitting from tales of the BBC in the 1970s, parliament in the 1980s and 1990s, and City Hall more recently.
He said he knew his departure from frontline politics in 2016 came at the right time because “nobody else had suggested it first – or at least not to my face.” He was so pleased to be spending more time with his beloved wife Kathy, herself a leading figure in Wandsworth politics, and his many children and grandchildren, whose achievements and qualities he proudly reeled off. At a time when all of us are so concerned about what lies ahead, for Dick’s loved ones to face the future without him will be devastating.
This is because he was always there. Unlike many former MPs, Dick saw no reason to stop knocking on doors, delivering leaflets, or attending time-thieving committee meetings. Inactivity would have been unthinkable. Understandably, his experience of defeat in the 1997 general election to Ed Davey, by 56 votes, never left him. However, it was a disappointment he wore well, any negative thoughts lost in the positive energy he showed for whoever he was helping at the time. It was this example he showed, as well as his kindness, his conviviality, and his sense of humour, that made him so popular.
When I first ran for council in 2006, it was flat-capped Dick’s relentless pounding of the pavements which did more than anything else to help secure a ten per cent swing and see Tooting Ward, which previously had Sadiq Khan as a councillor, turn blue for the first time since the 1960s.
A devoted sports fan who rose to that most-coveted position of Sports Minister from 1985-87, he would have been frustrated by the current hiatus but no doubt looked forward to enjoying live action even more when it returned.
A (responsible) fan of pubs, not least Youngs’ establishments in Wandsworth, he would have hated the current closures but understood completely their purpose. I know many of us will raise a glass to him when they reopen, happy in the knowledge that it’s what he would have wanted, but so very sad that he isn’t there too.
It was not the coronavirus that took Dick from us, but there is a danger that in its wake we don’t take time to mark his passing. No doubt there will be an adequate opportunity when things return to something resembling normal to get together and remember his exceptional public service as well as his warmth, generosity, and kindness. For now though, the Conservative family, but above all his own family, have lost a great man.


conservativehome--2020-03-23--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct A

Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority – and more

Eight years ago , the TaxPayers ’ Alliance reported that “ in the last year , five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories ” .
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party , compared to less than a third for the Conservatives .
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts , over time , the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments .
One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number as Labour supporters .
To help remedy this , each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies , so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented .
“ As we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution , a wave of technological innovation is creating new industries , disrupting existing ones and transforming the way things are made and the way we live .
From AI-powered legal services to autonomous ships , new products , services and business models are emerging which don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its White Paper on Regulation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution , the Government committed to establishing a Regulatory Horizons Council ( RHC ) to identify the implications of technological innovation with high potential benefit for the UK economy and society and advise the government on regulatory reform needed to support its rapid and safe introduction.
” “ This is an opportunity to take on an intellectually demanding role at the heart of international financial services , leading a sizeable and complex organisation .
There is a requirement for strong leadership in a challenging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under Andrew Bailey , the FCA has formulated a transformation programme , to equip the organisation for the next phase of its development : a data strategy and enhanced analytical skills to rapidly identify harm across an exceptionally broad range of firms of all sizes exploiting fast-moving changes in technology and distribution to target consumers ; enhance employee capabilities and processes to act swiftly on the harms identified ; [ and ] and with a regulatory framework which is appropriate following the completion of EU withdrawal , and which takes advantage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulation brought by technology and behavioural science.
” “ The Chief Executive will assume office at a time of unprecedented external change .
The political landscape in Europe and around the globe is altering with increasing pace and less predictability .
The British Council is also in constant transformation to deliver within funding constraints in a demanding , more client and customer-facing world .
The aims and goals of the British Council are more necessary than ever .
Delivering them in the complex world of 2020 is more difficult than at any time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chief Executive in terms of vision , agility , ability to simplify and lead with clarity and purpose are substantial .
The Chief Executive will be instrumental in redefining both ‘ soft power ’ and ‘ cultural relations ’ at this pivotal moment and will help define the place of the United Kingdom , for the better , in a ‘ disrupted ’ and uncertain geopolitical world.
” Remuneration : Up to £150k per annum plus bonus to 8 per cent and Civil Service Pension “ The Coast to Capital Strategic Board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , setting a vision for and overseeing delivery of economic prosperity for all in the Coast to Capital area , including through Government funding of projects through the Local Growth Fund .
They are accountable to the LEP Board and for the proper governance of the LEP .
Coast to Capital is seeking an influential and persuasive senior business figure from the C2C area to help lead the region and meet the ambitious vision set out in its strategic plan .
Currently chaired by Tim Wates , who will be stepping down in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a diverse mix of regional business leaders alongside senior politicians and leaders from Universities and Further Education.
” “ The last few years have seen major changes to NHS Resolution ’ s role and standing in the system as a result of both its revised strategy and the new clinical negligence scheme for GPs .
It has been a pleasure and privilege to Chair the organisation through this period of significant change .
Although the course is set for the next few years some of these changes are still at an early stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now a need to progress the development of our infrastructure to support the enhanced role and the NHS will continue to evolve .
I am sure therefore that the next Chair will also find the role both challenging and rewarding.
” “ The Office of Tax Simplification ( OTS ) provides the government with independent advice on simplifying the tax system , to make things easier for taxpayers .
The OTS Board is led by an independent Chair ( Kathryn Cearns OBE ) and Tax Director ( Bill Dodwell ) and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to four independent members , supported by a diverse staff team drawn from the civil service and the private sector , led by the OTS Head of Office David Halsey .
The four independent members of the OTS Board are currently Dame Teresa Graham , John Cullinane , Kathleen Russ and – until his recent resignation – Paul Johnson .
To support its work and further development , the OTS would like to identify an exceptional individual with relevant experience to join its Board as one of its independent members.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headed by the Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner ( the Commissioner ) who is a statutory appointment required under the Financial Services Act 2012 .
This is a senior position and , whilst the appointment is made by the regulators , it is an independent role , subject to approval by HM Treasury .
The current Commissioner carries out his duties through a company limited by guarantee ( Office of the Complaints Commissioner ) from premises based in the City of London .
He is assisted by three staff .
The Commissioner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the actions or inactions of the UK ’ s current financial services regulators , the Financial Conduct Authority , the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Bank of England ( but only in respect of its oversight of the banking clearing houses and payment schemes ) .
” Remuneration : “ Remuneration is on a level with judicial salaries , pro-rated as appropriate .
”

Eight years ago, the TaxPayers’ Alliance reported that “in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories”.
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party, compared to less than a third for the Conservatives.
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts, over time, the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply don’t apply in the same number as Labour supporters.
To help remedy this, each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented.
– – – – – – – – – –
Regulatory Horizons Panel – Member
“As we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a wave of technological innovation is creating new industries, disrupting existing ones and transforming the way things are made and the way we live. From AI-powered legal services to autonomous ships, new products, services and business models are emerging which don’t fit with existing regulatory systems. In its White Paper on Regulation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Government committed to establishing a Regulatory Horizons Council (RHC) to identify the implications of technological innovation with high potential benefit for the UK economy and society and advise the government on regulatory reform needed to support its rapid and safe introduction.”
Time: 1-2 days per month.
Remuneration: £380 per diem.
Closes: 23 March
– – – – – – – – – –
Financial Conduct Authority – Chief Executive
“This is an opportunity to take on an intellectually demanding role at the heart of international financial services, leading a sizeable and complex organisation. There is a requirement for strong leadership in a challenging environment to undertake a critically important role. Under Andrew Bailey, the FCA has formulated a transformation programme, to equip the organisation for the next phase of its development: a data strategy and enhanced analytical skills to rapidly identify harm across an exceptionally broad range of firms of all sizes exploiting fast-moving changes in technology and distribution to target consumers; enhance employee capabilities and processes to act swiftly on the harms identified; [and] and with a regulatory framework which is appropriate following the completion of EU withdrawal, and which takes advantage of the opportunities for better and more efficient regulation brought by technology and behavioural science.”
Time: Full-time.
Remuneration: Competitive.
Closes: 27 March
– – – – – – – – – –
British Council – Chief Executive
“The Chief Executive will assume office at a time of unprecedented external change. The political landscape in Europe and around the globe is altering with increasing pace and less predictability. The British Council is also in constant transformation to deliver within funding constraints in a demanding, more client and customer-facing world. The aims and goals of the British Council are more necessary than ever. Delivering them in the complex world of 2020 is more difficult than at any time since 1945. The resulting demands on the Chief Executive in terms of vision, agility, ability to simplify and lead with clarity and purpose are substantial. The Chief Executive will be instrumental in redefining both ‘soft power’ and ‘cultural relations’ at this pivotal moment and will help define the place of the United Kingdom, for the better, in a ‘disrupted’ and uncertain geopolitical world.”
Time: Full-time.
Remuneration: Up to £150k per annum plus bonus to 8 per cent and Civil Service Pension
Closes: 27 March
– – – – – – – – – –
Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (C2C LEP) – Chair
“The Coast to Capital Strategic Board comprises private sector and local authority Members, setting a vision for and overseeing delivery of economic prosperity for all in the Coast to Capital area, including through Government funding of projects through the Local Growth Fund. They are accountable to the LEP Board and for the proper governance of the LEP. Coast to Capital is seeking an influential and persuasive senior business figure from the C2C area to help lead the region and meet the ambitious vision set out in its strategic plan. Currently chaired by Tim Wates, who will be stepping down in July 2020, the Board brings together a diverse mix of regional business leaders alongside senior politicians and leaders from Universities and Further Education.”
Time: Four days per month, three-year term.
Remuneration: £20,000 per annum.
Closes: 30 March
– – – – – – – – – –
NHS Resolution – Chair
“The last few years have seen major changes to NHS Resolution’s role and standing in the system as a result of both its revised strategy and the new clinical negligence scheme for GPs. It has been a pleasure and privilege to Chair the organisation through this period of significant change. Although the course is set for the next few years some of these changes are still at an early stage and need to be embedded, there is now a need to progress the development of our infrastructure to support the enhanced role and the NHS will continue to evolve. I am sure therefore that the next Chair will also find the role both challenging and rewarding.”
Time: 2-3 days per week.
Remuneration: £63,000 per annum.
Closes: 06 April
– – – – – – – – – –
Office of Tax Simplification – Board Member
“The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) provides the government with independent advice on simplifying the tax system, to make things easier for taxpayers. The OTS Board is led by an independent Chair (Kathryn Cearns OBE) and Tax Director (Bill Dodwell) and has representatives from HM Treasury and HMRC and up to four independent members, supported by a diverse staff team drawn from the civil service and the private sector, led by the OTS Head of Office David Halsey. The four independent members of the OTS Board are currently Dame Teresa Graham, John Cullinane, Kathleen Russ and – until his recent resignation – Paul Johnson. To support its work and further development, the OTS would like to identify an exceptional individual with relevant experience to join its Board as one of its independent members.”
Time: Approx. 10 days per annum.
Remuneration: “Reasonable expenses”.
Closes: 06 April
– – – – – – – – – –
HM Treasury – Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner
“The Office of the Complaints Commissioner is headed by the Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner (the Commissioner) who is a statutory appointment required under the Financial Services Act 2012. This is a senior position and, whilst the appointment is made by the regulators, it is an independent role, subject to approval by HM Treasury. The current Commissioner carries out his duties through a company limited by guarantee (Office of the Complaints Commissioner) from premises based in the City of London. He is assisted by three staff. The Commissioner’s role is to review independently complaints about the actions or inactions of the UK’s current financial services regulators, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Bank of England (but only in respect of its oversight of the banking clearing houses and payment schemes).”
Time: Est. three days per week.
Remuneration: “Remuneration is on a level with judicial salaries, pro-rated as appropriate.”
Closes: 13 April


conservativehome--2020-03-23--Britain moves nearer to a full quarantine. Now watch for the moves to isolate Johnson.

In the wake of a near-lockdown of the entire country , we await a new batch of opinion polls with special interest .
Recent ones have been good for the Government .
On the Coronavirus , more believe that the Conservatives have handled it well than badly – more than half of those who expressed a view , in some cases .
On voting intention , more plumped for the Conservatives than for their rivals – again , over half , in some surveys .
This complements a picture , presented by Henry Hill on this site yesterday , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest .
The evidence available suggests a stoicism-to-panic ratio slanting strongly to the former .
Nonetheless , one can be both resolute but anxious , and public concern has doubtless been rising at a similiar rate to those virus graphs – at least if phone-ins , social media content and thread comments are anything to go by .
And that was before the announcement this evening of measures unprecedented even in wartime ; at once both draconian and strangely vague .
The Government ’ s critics fall into two broad camps .
First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the activists .
Some want a mass testing and follow-up programme like South Korea ’ s .
Others want a total shutdown of the country , complete with curfews , for as long as it takes ( for however long that might be ) .
They hate any approach that has achieving herd immunity built into it , whatever the semantics may be of this being a Government aim or not .
Second , there are the passivists .
At one end , some want the most vulnerable shielded , and the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual .
At the other , some take a fatalistic view of events , and think that it isn ’ t worth sacrificing the future of the young and healthy for the elderly and sick .
A few even appear to see the virus as a just punishment as what they see as the snowflakery , decadence and socialism of modern Britain .
“ Because thou art lukewarm , and neither cold nor hot , I will spue thee out of my mouth , ” the author of the Book of Revelation wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been the message of some in both groups to Boris Johnson , as they have watched what has looked like a policy shift from containment to suppression – and now a near-shutdown the length and breadth of Britain .
Is it fair ?
It is worth remembering at the start , while pondering the question , that the Prime Minister is not Winston Churchill – at least when it comes to poll ratings .
There was thumping support for the latter in wartime surveys , including an 82 per cent finding in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of the Second World War .
Whatever one makes of the methodological accuracy of those polls , Johnson begins with nothing like the same level of support .
Though he was a near-landslide winner in December , roughly a third of those who voted backed an openly Marxist party .
A slice of those voters , together with some Liberal Democrats and others , hate his double victory first last year , and back in 2016 in the EU referendum .
An influential section of them are based in London , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are strikingly well-networked , in the media , politics , law and academia .
They are obsessed by his personal frailties and fixated upon the role of Dominic Cummings .
Before the take-off of Coronavirus , they warned that Johnson was seeking to govern as a dictator .
Once the virus got going , they were clamouring for him to exercise the very powers against which they had warned , and damning his liberal instincts – which were apparent to most of us long ago , but which they have only now deigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say for a moment that the Government ’ s response has been perfect – far from it .
There are two legitimate lines of criticism .
The first is presentational .
There has been conflicting information , such as on whether travellers returning from Italy should isolate or not , and confusing about-turns , sometimes a result of briefings to selected journalists : over a London lockdown last week ; plans for over-70s ; herd immunity , and much else .
The second is practical .
The point about herd immunity leads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions part of a seamlessly-timed Government plan to minimise pressure on the NHS ?
Or have Ministers been stampeded , rightly or wrongly , into a change of strategy , in the wake of that famous Imperial College paper ?
One aspect of the answer is evident : it is clear that SAGE , the presiding expert committee , has been divided .
Any reflective person should feel for Johnson and his team .
For as John Redwood wrote on this site recently : “ knowledge is still imperfect about how long it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how it is transmitted , why it is sometimes very dangerous but normally not for a younger healthy person , whether it can be caught twice by the same person , and whether someone does build immunity to it by having it ” .
The Prime Minister is like man firing at a moving target blindfold with a gun that may not work .
We believe he is presenting well , and not panicking , amidst daunting circumstances .
Where the Government looks culpable is not in having failed to prepare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the public would have opposed a switch in resources from then to later ) but , say , last month .
Why wasn ’ t the push for more ventilators and equipment made then ?
Johnson was returned with a near-landslide less than four months ago .
But the political landscape is unrecognisable : no more “ Red Wall ” chatter , no more Today programme boycott , no more talk of levelling-up – in the face of that ultimate leveller-down : death .
Perhaps the Goverment ’ s broad plan has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are experiencing that “ second wave ” which some of its most prominent advisers fear .
But it will be a very long time , given the evasiveness of reliable statistics , until the truth is clear one way or the other .
In the meantime , as we have written before , even success – which is to say deaths in low five figures rather than even low six figures – won ’ t feel like success .
A & E departments are set on present trends to follow much the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministers are surprised by the skittishness of Conservative MPs ; by how so many are beating frantically on Downing Street ’ s door demanding more action , resources , money .
They shouldn ’ t be .
This is a generation of Parliamentarians raised and trained as constituency campaigners .
Modern politics is a volatile business : Tory MPs who won marginals today know all too well that they are vulnerable tomorrow .
The combination of this new shutdown , already shot through with ambiguities ( how are the police meant to monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ? )
; the imminent arrival of a new Labour leader , whose skill set is strong on lawyerly inquisition ; the jitteriness of Conservative MPs and the prospect of the NHS being unable to cope are baleful for Johnson .
In the ideal world that doesn ’ t exist , low politics would not intrude on high drama , with life and death at stake for many thousands and perhaps more .
But in the real one that we live in , the Chairman of the Health Select Committee , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy implementation committees , were leadership election rivals last year .
There is a gaggle of former Cabinet Ministers who have lost their jobs .
There are wartime precedents for national governments and deposed Prime Ministers .
A cloud of unknowables haunts the man whose star blazed so brightly last December .

In the wake of a near-lockdown of the entire country, we await a new batch of opinion polls with special interest. Recent ones have been good for the Government. On the Coronavirus, more believe that the Conservatives have handled it well than badly – more than half of those who expressed a view, in some cases. On voting intention, more plumped for the Conservatives than for their rivals – again, over half, in some surveys.
This complements a picture, presented by Henry Hill on this site yesterday, of less panic buying than some reports would suggest. The evidence available suggests a stoicism-to-panic ratio slanting strongly to the former.
Nonetheless, one can be both resolute but anxious, and public concern has doubtless been rising at a similiar rate to those virus graphs – at least if phone-ins, social media content and thread comments are anything to go by. And that was before the announcement yesterday evening of measures unprecedented even in wartime; at once both draconian and strangely vague. The Government’s critics fall into two broad camps.
First, there are what are best called the activists. Some want a mass testing and follow-up programme like South Korea’s. Others want a total shutdown of the country, complete with curfews, for as long as it takes (for however long that might be). They hate any approach that has achieving herd immunity built into it, whatever the semantics may be of this being a Government aim or not.
Second, there are the passivists. At one end, some want the most vulnerable shielded, and the rest to go about their daily business as usual. At the other, some take a fatalistic view of events, and think that it isn’t worth sacrificing the future of the young and healthy for the elderly and sick. A few even appear to see the virus as a just punishment as what they see as the snowflakery, decadence and socialism of modern Britain.
“Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth,” the author of the Book of Revelation wrote to the Church in Laodicea. Such has been the message of some in both groups to Boris Johnson, as they have watched what has looked like a policy shift from containment to suppression – and now a near-shutdown the length and breadth of Britain. Is it fair?
It is worth remembering at the start, while pondering the question, that the Prime Minister is not Winston Churchill – at least when it comes to poll ratings. There was thumping support for the latter in wartime surveys, including an 82 per cent finding in March 1942, one of the worst months of the Second World War. Whatever one makes of the methodological accuracy of those polls, Johnson begins with nothing like the same level of support.
Though he was a near-landslide winner in December, roughly a third of those who voted backed an openly Marxist party. A slice of those voters, together with some Liberal Democrats and others, hate his double victory first last year, and back in 2016 in the EU referendum. An influential section of them are based in London, the country’s dominant city, and are strikingly well-networked, in the media, politics, law and academia.
They are obsessed by his personal frailties and fixated upon the role of Dominic Cummings. Before the take-off of Coronavirus, they warned that Johnson was seeking to govern as a dictator. Once the virus got going, they were clamouring for him to exercise the very powers against which they had warned, and damning his liberal instincts – which were apparent to most of us long ago, but which they have only now deigned to notice.
None of this is to say for a moment that the Government’s response has been perfect – far from it. There are two legitimate lines of criticism. The first is presentational. There has been conflicting information, such as on whether travellers returning from Italy should isolate or not, and confusing about-turns, sometimes a result of briefings to selected journalists: over a London lockdown last week; plans for over-70s; herd immunity, and much else.
The second is practical. The point about herd immunity leads straight to it. Are the accelerating restrictions part of a seamlessly-timed Government plan to minimise pressure on the NHS? Or have Ministers been stampeded, rightly or wrongly, into a change of strategy, in the wake of that famous Imperial College paper? One aspect of the answer is evident: it is clear that SAGE, the presiding expert committee, has been divided.
Any reflective person should feel for Johnson and his team. For as John Redwood wrote on this site recently: “knowledge is still imperfect about how long it can be in someone before symptoms show, how it is transmitted, why it is sometimes very dangerous but normally not for a younger healthy person, whether it can be caught twice by the same person, and whether someone does build immunity to it by having it”.
The Prime Minister is like man firing at a moving target blindfold with a gun that may not work. We believe he is presenting well, and not panicking, amidst daunting circumstances. Where the Government looks culpable is not in having failed to prepare, for example, last year (politicians and the public would have opposed a switch in resources from then to later) but, say, last month. Why wasn’t the push for more ventilators and equipment made then?
Johnson was returned with a near-landslide less than four months ago. But the political landscape is unrecognisable: no more “Red Wall” chatter, no more Today programme boycott, no more talk of levelling-up – in the face of that ultimate leveller-down: death. Perhaps the Goverment’s broad plan has been right. Hong Kong and Taiwan are experiencing that “second wave” which some of its most prominent advisers fear.
But it will be a very long time, given the evasiveness of reliable statistics, until the truth is clear one way or the other. In the meantime, as we have written before, even success – which is to say deaths in low five figures rather than even low six figures – won’t feel like success. A & E departments are set on present trends to follow much the same trajectory as Italy’s.
Some Ministers are surprised by the skittishness of Conservative MPs; by how so many are beating frantically on Downing Street’s door demanding more action, resources, money. They shouldn’t be. This is a generation of Parliamentarians raised and trained as constituency campaigners. Modern politics is a volatile business: Tory MPs who won marginals today know all too well that they are vulnerable tomorrow.
The combination of this new shutdown, already shot through with ambiguities (how are the police meant to monitor “one form of exercise a day”?); the imminent arrival of a new Labour leader, whose skill set is strong on lawyerly inquisition; the jitteriness of Conservative MPs and the prospect of the NHS being unable to cope are baleful for Johnson.
In the ideal world that doesn’t exist, low politics would not intrude on high drama, with life and death at stake for many thousands and perhaps more.
But in the real one that we live in, the Chairman of the Health Select Committee, and two of the four chairmen of the policy implementation committees, were leadership election rivals last year. There is a gaggle of former Cabinet Ministers who have lost their jobs. There are wartime precedents for national governments and deposed Prime Ministers. A cloud of unknowables haunts the man whose star blazed so brightly last December.


conservativehome--2020-03-23--WATCH: The Prime Minister’s broadcast. “I must give a very simple instruction. You must stay at home

WATCH: The Prime Minister’s broadcast. “I must give a very simple instruction. You must stay at home.”

WATCH : The Prime Minister ’ s broadcast .
“ I must give a very simple instruction .
You must @ @ @ @ @

PM @BorisJohnson gives an important update on #coronavirus #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/MQo2EVVDcD
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) March 23, 2020


conservativehome--2020-03-23--“People will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes.” Johnson’s

“People will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes.” Johnson’s statement: full text.

The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades – and this country is not alone .
All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this invisible killer .
And so tonight I want to update you on the latest steps we are taking to fight the disease and what you can do to help .
And I want to begin by reminding you why the UK has been taking the approach that we have .
Without a huge national effort to halt the growth of this virus , there will come a moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could possibly cope ; because there won ’ t be enough ventilators , enough intensive care beds , enough doctors and nurses .
And as we have seen elsewhere , in other countries that also have fantastic health care systems , that is the moment of real danger .
To put it simply , if too many people become seriously unwell at one time , the NHS will be unable to handle it – meaning more people are likely to die , not just from Coronavirus but from other illnesses as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the disease .
Because that is the way we reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment at any one time , so we can protect the NHS ’ s ability to cope – and save more lives .
And that ’ s why we have been asking people to stay at home during this pandemic .
And though huge numbers are complying – and I thank you all – the time has now come for us all to do more .
From this evening I must give the British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must stay at home .
Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households .
That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes : • Shopping for basic necessities , as infrequently as possible .
• One form of exercise a day – for example a run , walk , or cycle – alone or with members of your household .
• Any medical need , to provide care or to help a vulnerable person ; and • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only where this is absolutely necessary and can not be done from home .
That ’ s all – these are the only reasons you should leave your home .
You should not be meeting friends .
If your friends ask you to meet , you should say No .
You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home .
You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine – and you should do this as little as you can .
And use food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you don ’ t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them , including through fines and dispersing gatherings .
To ensure compliance with the Government ’ s instruction to stay at home , we will immediately : • Close all shops selling non-essential goods , including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries , playgrounds and outdoor gyms , and places of worship ; • We will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with ; • And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including weddings , baptisms and other ceremonies , but excluding funerals .
Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed .
No Prime Minister wants to enact measures like this .
I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people ’ s lives , to their businesses and to their jobs .
And that ’ s why we have produced a huge and unprecedented programme of support both for workers and for business .
And I can assure you that we will keep these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look again in three weeks , and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to .
But at present there are just no easy options .
The way ahead is hard , and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost .
And yet it is also true that there is a clear way through .
Day by day we are strengthening our amazing NHS with 7500 former clinicians now coming back to the service .
With the time you buy – by simply staying at home – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are accelerating our search for treatments .
We are pioneering work on a vaccine .
And we are buying millions of testing kits that will enable us to turn the tide on this invisible killer .
I want to thank everyone who is working flat out to beat the virus .
Everyone from the supermarket staff to the transport workers to the carers to the nurses and doctors on the frontline .
But in this fight we can be in no doubt that each and every one of us is directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us is now obliged to join together .
To halt the spread of this disease .
To protect our NHS and to save many many thousands of lives .
And I know that as they have in the past so many times .
The people of this country will rise to that challenge .
And we will come through it stronger than ever .
We will beat the coronavirus and we will beat it together .
And therefore I urge you at this moment of national emergency to stay at home , protect @ @ @ @ @ @

“Good Evening,
The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades – and this country is not alone.
All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this invisible killer.
And so tonight I want to update you on the latest steps we are taking to fight the disease and what you can do to help.
And I want to begin by reminding you why the UK has been taking the approach that we have.
Without a huge national effort to halt the growth of this virus, there will come a moment when no health service in the world could possibly cope; because there won’t be enough ventilators, enough intensive care beds, enough doctors and nurses.
And as we have seen elsewhere, in other countries that also have fantastic health care systems, that is the moment of real danger.
To put it simply, if too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it – meaning more people are likely to die, not just from Coronavirus but from other illnesses as well.
So it’s vital to slow the spread of the disease.
Because that is the way we reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment at any one time, so we can protect the NHS’s ability to cope – and save more lives.
And that’s why we have been asking people to stay at home during this pandemic.
And though huge numbers are complying – and I thank you all – the time has now come for us all to do more.
From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction – you must stay at home.
Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households.
That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:
Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible.
One form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household.
Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and
Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.
That’s all – these are the only reasons you should leave your home.
You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No.
You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.
You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine – and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can.
If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.
To ensure compliance with the Government’s instruction to stay at home, we will immediately:
Close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship;
We will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with;
And we’ll stop all social events , including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals.
Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed. No Prime Minister wants to enact measures like this.
I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people’s lives, to their businesses and to their jobs.
And that’s why we have produced a huge and unprecedented programme of support both for workers and for business.
And I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to.
But at present there are just no easy options. The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost.
And yet it is also true that there is a clear way through.
Day by day we are strengthening our amazing NHS with 7500 former clinicians now coming back to the service.
With the time you buy – by simply staying at home – we are increasing our stocks of equipment.
We are accelerating our search for treatments.
We are pioneering work on a vaccine.
And we are buying millions of testing kits that will enable us to turn the tide on this invisible killer.
I want to thank everyone who is working flat out to beat the virus.
Everyone from the supermarket staff to the transport workers to the carers to the nurses and doctors on the frontline.
But in this fight we can be in no doubt that each and every one of us is directly enlisted.
Each and every one of us is now obliged to join together.
To halt the spread of this disease.
To protect our NHS and to save many many thousands of lives.
And I know that as they have in the past so many times.
The people of this country will rise to that challenge.
And we will come through it stronger than ever.
We will beat the coronavirus and we will beat it together.
And therefore I urge you at this moment of national emergency to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.
Thank you.”


conservativehome--2020-03-23--The Government’s “new rules on staying at home and away from others”

NEW RULES ON STAYING AT HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHERS The single most important action we can all take , in fighting coronavirus , is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people , we will reduce the spread of the infection .
That is why the government is now ( 23 March 2020 ) introducing three new measures • Requiring people to stay at home , except for very limited purposes .
• Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public .
Every citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The relevant authorities , including the police , will be given the powers to enforce them – including through fines and dispersing gatherings .
These measures are effective immediately .
The Government will look again at these measures in three weeks , and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible You should only leave the house for one of four reasons .
• Shopping for basic necessities , for example food and medicine , which must be as infrequent as possible .
• One form of exercise a day , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycle -alone or with members of your household .
• Any medical need , or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person .
• Travelling to and from work , but only where this absolutely can not be done from home .
These four reasons are exceptions -even when doing these activities , you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are two metres apart from anyone outside of your household .
These measures must be followed by everyone .
Separate advice is available for individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the most vulnerable who need to be shielded .
If you work in a critical sector outlined in this guidance , or your child has been identified as vulnerable , you can continue to take your children to school .
Last week , the Government ordered certain businesses -including pubs , cinemas and theatres -to close.The Government is now extending this requirement to a further set of businesses and other venues , including : • All non-essential retail stores-this will include clothing and electronics stores ; hair , beauty and nail salons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excluding food markets .
• Indoor and outdoor leisure facilitiessuch as bowling alleys , arcades and soft play facilities .
• Communal places within parks , such as playgrounds , sports courts and outdoor gyms .
• Places of worship , except for funerals attended by immediate families .
• Hotels , hostels , bed and breakfasts , campsites , caravan parks , and boarding housesfor commercial/leisure use ( excluding permanent residents and key workers ) .
To make sure people are staying at home and apart from each other , the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than two people.There are only two exceptions to this rule : • Where the gathering is of a group of people who live together -this means that a parent can , for example , take their children to the shops if there is no option to leave them at home .
• Where the gathering is essential for work purposes – but workers should be trying to minimise all meetings and other gatherings in the workplace .
In addition , the Government is stopping social events , including weddings , baptisms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funerals , which can be attended by immediate family .
These measures will reduce our day to day contact with other people .
They are a vital part of our efforts to reduce the rate of transmission of coronavirus .
Every citizen is instructed to comply with these new measures .
The Government will therefore be ensuring the police and other relevant authorities have the powers to enforce them , including through fines and dispersing gatherings where people do not comply .
They will initially last for the three weeks from 23 March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at them again and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible .

NEW RULES ON STAYING AT HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHERS
The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection.
That is why the government is now (23 March 2020) introducing three new measures
Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes.
Closing non-essential shops and community spaces.
Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public.
Every citizen must comply with these new measures. The relevant authorities, including the police, will be given the powers to enforce them – including through fines and dispersing gatherings.
These measures are effective immediately. The Government will look again at these measures in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible
1. STAYING AT HOME
You should only leave the house for one of four reasons.
Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
One form of exercise a day,for example a run, walk, or cycle -alone or with members of your household.
Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.
These four reasons are exceptions -even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are two metres apart from anyone outside of your household. These measures must be followed by everyone.
Separate advice is available for individuals or households who are isolating, and for the most vulnerable who need to be shielded. If you work in a critical sector outlined in this guidance, or your child has been identified as vulnerable, you can continue to take your children to school.
2. CLOSING NON-ESSENTIAL SHOPS AND PUBLIC SPACES
Last week, the Government ordered certain businesses -including pubs, cinemas and theatres -to close.The Government is now extending this requirement to a further set of businesses and other venues, including:
All non-essential retail stores-this will include clothing and electronics stores; hair, beauty and nail salons; and outdoor and indoor markets, excluding food markets.
Libraries, community centres, and youth centres.
Indoor and outdoor leisure facilitiessuch as bowling alleys, arcades and soft play facilities.
Communal places within parks, such as playgrounds, sports courts and outdoor gyms.
Places of worship, except for funerals attended by immediate families.
Hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, caravan parks, and boarding housesfor commercial/leisure use (excluding permanent residents and key workers).
3. STOPPING PUBLIC GATHERINGS
To make sure people are staying at home and apart from each other, the Government is also stopping all public gatherings of more than two people.There are only two exceptions to this rule:
Where the gathering is of a group of people who live together -this means that a parent can, for example, take their children to the shops if there is no option to leave them at home.
Where the gathering is essential for work purposes – but workers should be trying to minimise all meetings and other gatherings in the workplace. In addition, the Government is stopping social events, including weddings, baptisms and other religious ceremonies. This will exclude funerals, which can be attended by immediate family.
DELIVERING THESE NEW MEASURES
These measures will reduce our day to day contact with other people. They are a vital part of our efforts to reduce the rate of transmission of coronavirus. Every citizen is instructed to comply with these new measures.
The Government will therefore be ensuring the police and other relevant authorities have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings where people do not comply. They will initially last for the three weeks from 23 March, at which point the Government will look at them again and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.


conservativehome--2020-03-23--How the Left is exploiting the Coronavirus for political gain

Despite Rishi Sunak ’ s unprecedented economic measures , some members of the Left still aren ’ t happy with the Government ’ s response to the Coronavirus crisis .
John McDonnell immediately commented that “ he hasn ’ t gone far enough ” .
But far greater an issue for the whole country is Left-wing activists .
Momentum , for example , has claimed that “ this crisis is political and there must be a political response ” , adding that “ we will make demands ” .
What will these “ demands ” look like , many will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full sick pay for all workers ( including those on zero hours contracts ) and an end to all benefit sanctions , among others .
But perhaps the more important question is what will happen if the Government ignores these requests .
Will the Left try to exploit the Coronavirus to advance a political agenda ?
There are increasing signs that this is the case .
Guido Fawkes has already picked up on their use of Zoom ( the video-conferencing tool ) to politicise the pandemic .
On Friday Ian Lavery , Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comrades that the crisis offered “ a great opportunity ” .
Elsewhere , The World Transformed ( described on Twitter as a “ 4-day festival and year-round political education project… to build left power ” ) has been using Zoom for similar purposes .
Tomorrow Rebecca Long-Bailey will join a “ Mass Zoom Call ” with the organisation , in which she will “ discuss how we , as a movement , respond to Coronavirus ” .
In a newsletter to her followers , Long-Bailey – who has already pressed for Universal Basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conference , which is titled “ Coronavirus : How can we win our demands ?
” The description of the event goes as follows : “ As the impacts of the Coronavirus crisis continue to ramp up in the UK and beyond , it ’ s becoming clearer day by day that we can not rely on Boris Johnson and this Tory government ” .
It adds that “ there is still huge scope for traditional workplace organising and tactics such as strikes to be successful.
” Last week , The World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus .
One of the main speakers was Helen O ’ Connor , an organiser from the trade union GMB , who has been campaigning for Lewisham Hospital cleaners to get paid “ after they walked out over nonpayment of wages ” .
She calls for “ all hospital services to be brought back under the control of the NHS as a matter of urgency ” .
Elsewhere O ’ Connor says that if the issue “ isn ’ t sorted , there could be further walkouts next week ” .
Grace Blakeley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attended last week ’ s Zoom call , demonstrates just how ideological an opportunity some activists see the Coronavirus .
In a piece she writes : “ We must demand not simply a bigger state , but a more democratic one too .
The only way to counter the oligarchic tendencies now emerging within many western democracies is to deepen the accountability of public officials to working people .
Government departments , central banks , and quangos must all be subject to much deeper public scrutiny .
If the government does embark upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporations it saves should be run by the people , not just a tiny elite ” , before suggesting the “ epoch-defining ” pandemic could signal “ the beginning of state-monopoly capitalism.
” Given that The World Transformed has said : “ We can not sit back ” ; that it ’ s crucial “ we open up new and empowering spaces ” , and that comrades should “ be ready for a rapidly evolving sequence of events ” , the Government clearly has another problem on its hands .
They are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radical Left…

Despite Rishi Sunak’s unprecedented economic measures, some members of the Left still aren’t happy with the Government’s response to the Coronavirus crisis.
John McDonnell immediately commented that “he hasn’t gone far enough”.
But far greater an issue for the whole country is Left-wing activists.
Momentum, for example, has claimed that “this crisis is political and there must be a political response”, adding that “we will make demands”.
What will these “demands” look like, many will be wondering.
The group has requested full sick pay for all workers (including those on zero hours contracts) and an end to all benefit sanctions, among others.
But perhaps the more important question is what will happen if the Government ignores these requests.
Will the Left try to exploit the Coronavirus to advance a political agenda?
There are increasing signs that this is the case.
Guido Fawkes has already picked up on their use of Zoom (the video-conferencing tool) to politicise the pandemic.
On Friday Ian Lavery, Labour Chairman, was found telling his fellow comrades that the crisis offered “a great opportunity”.
Elsewhere, The World Transformed (described on Twitter as a “4-day festival and year-round political education project… to build left power”) has been using Zoom for similar purposes.
Tomorrow Rebecca Long-Bailey will join a “Mass Zoom Call” with the organisation, in which she will “discuss how we, as a movement, respond to Coronavirus”.
In a newsletter to her followers, Long-Bailey – who has already pressed for Universal Basic Income in the last week – publicised the conference, which is titled “Coronavirus: How can we win our demands?”
The description of the event goes as follows: “As the impacts of the Coronavirus crisis continue to ramp up in the UK and beyond, it’s becoming clearer day by day that we cannot rely on Boris Johnson and this Tory government”.
It adds that “there is still huge scope for traditional workplace organising and tactics such as strikes to be successful.”
Last week, The World Transformed hosted another activist event about the Coronavirus.
One of the main speakers was Helen O’Connor, an organiser from the trade union GMB, who has been campaigning for Lewisham Hospital cleaners to get paid “after they walked out over nonpayment of wages”.
She calls for “all hospital services to be brought back under the control of the NHS as a matter of urgency”.
Elsewhere O’Connor says that if the issue “isn’t sorted, there could be further walkouts next week”.
Grace Blakeley, an economist and author, who attended last week’s Zoom call, demonstrates just how ideological an opportunity some activists see the Coronavirus.
In a piece she writes: “We must demand not simply a bigger state, but a more democratic one too. The only way to counter the oligarchic tendencies now emerging within many western democracies is to deepen the accountability of public officials to working people. Government departments, central banks, and quangos must all be subject to much deeper public scrutiny. If the government does embark upon a programme of mass bailouts, the corporations it saves should be run by the people, not just a tiny elite”, before suggesting the “epoch-defining” pandemic could signal “the beginning of state-monopoly capitalism.”
Given that The World Transformed has said: “We cannot sit back”; that it’s crucial “we open up new and empowering spaces”, and that comrades should “be ready for a rapidly evolving sequence of events”, the Government clearly has another problem on its hands.
They are going to have to watch out for the radical Left…