conservativehome--2020-05-15--This really is the time to let the deficit grow big enough to look after itself

The standard recipe for economic revival from some of our comrades on the right is more tax cuts and less red tape .
We have always raised an eyebrow at it .
Not because there is anything wrong with either less bureaucracy and tax , but because this formula all too often leaves out another vital ingredient in the mix : lower spending – or rather lower rises in the rate of it – to march in step with lower taxes .
Sound money should be the guiding star of economic policy .
Since the dismal science is also a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with what people do , its laws are ultimately about human behaviour .
These are made by the Gods of the Copybook Headings , and set out such universal truths as : you will run out of money you haven ’ t got .
One of the risks of government doing so that it develops a borrowing habit to compensate .
Like an alcoholic ’ s dependency , this ends in ruin – with the economy , and the lives and livelihoods on which it depends , collapsing under the accumulated weight of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there is a time to bend laws , if not break them , and one of those times is now – and in the near future when the world , God willing , emerges blinking from the Coronavirus .
For the moment , our right-wing friends and comrades are right .
The Government should take its cue from Ronald Reagan , who once said that he wasn ’ t worried about America ’ s deficit , because “ it ’ s big enough to take care of itself ” .
Yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts , regulatory reform and infrastructure spending to try to grow rather than cut ourselves out of the hole we are in .
The latest measurement of it comes from the Office for Budget Responsibility .
It sets out a three month lockdown scenario in which economic activity gradually return to normal over the next three months .
GDP falls by 35 per cent .
Unemployment hits ten per cent .
Borrowing reaches nearly £100 billion .
Please note that although it gives a rebound figure of a 27 per cent rise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year it adds a 13 per cent fall in the last .
The OBR ’ s estimate comes on top of a leaked Treasury paper forecasting a £337 billion budget deficit this year .
Debt hits 96 per cent of GDP .
It is hard to capture the scale of such a disaster in human terms , let alone that of the world economy of which ours is part , but that unemployment figure offers a hint .
It hasn ’ t reached ten per cent since the post-ERM adjustments of the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicated on the quick return to normal which is unlikely to happen .
No wonder Rishi Sunak says we face “ a significant recession ” .
The Chancellor is not a man given to overstatement , so for his “ significant ” we should substitute the “ mega ” of the Institute for Fiscal Studies .
In crude terms , there are four broad approaches to debts , recession and deficits on this scale .
Governments can try to tax , print , borrow or cut their way out of trouble .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can remember contains some new tax or tax rise or both .
Modern government must tax something to raise revenue for public services , and there is a strong case in principle for shifting the burden of taxation – from income to spending , for example .
But floating the idea simply illustrates the problems we have .
This scarcely the moment to check consumer demand .
And overall , nations can ’ t tax their way back to prosperity .
Especially since tax revenues as a share of national income are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1940s .
Next , printing .
Nick Boles believes that Parliament should instruct the Bank of England to provide £400 billion of monetary financing .
The reflex of conservatives old enough to remember it , or well informed enough to have heard of it , is to glance back to the inflationary era of the 1960s or 1970s .
Boles argues that the circumstances now are different , precisely because we live in a deflationary era , rather than the reverse .
At the heart of his case is a big moral appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough of a debt burden already on to our children and grandchildren .
Though he doesn ’ t quite say so , his argument suggests that this generation should take the risk of a one-off inflation hit .
And a bit of it would of course eradicate some of the value of Britain ’ s debt .
Economists are divided – as they inevitably will be – about whether inflation will be a feature of our post-virus landscape .
Some say that it won ’ t be , because of depressed demand .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ since there will be bottlenecks in production and supply chain disruption .
Since the former looks likely to settle in , like a run of bad weather , and indeed is with us already , the idea of some new monetary stimulus shouldn ’ t be dismissed out of hand .
But the Bank of England is certain to reach instead for the tried and tested : more quantitative easing .
This looks like the least bad option .
It may be that for the foreseeable future the Government is able to borrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will be able to grow our way out of the crisis .
Maybe government will invest more effectively in infrastructure than in the past to join up urban conurbations and give them critical mass .
Perhaps Ministers will make a virtue of necessity , and use the effects of the crisis on higher and further education as a chance to usher in the Augar reforms , or something like them , and make a major switch to training .
Maybe the post-virus will offer Boris Johnson a reset moment on housing reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street , perhaps he will send for Liz Truss , and giving her a mandate to further her disruptive ideas about supply side reform in over-regulated occupations , planning law and energy supply .
We ought now to have a window for reforming social care .
“ Maybe this time , ” as Liza Minnelli sings in Cabaret .
Taking a chance on all this looks a lot more palatable , and politically attractive , than cutting the rate of spending as a first resort .
Johnson can thank George Osborne and David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way out of recession .
They put the changes in motion which brought the deficit down to about one per cent of GDP .
But we are not living happily ever after and Britain has an unhappy recent history of thinking that it can .
Capital spending that delivers , industrial policy , a better trained workforce , investing rather than spending : we have our economic strengths , but these are not among them .
On this site , Neil O ’ Brien has wrestled with the question of whether we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basement rates – the foundation stone on which a Reaganesque policy would be built .
It doesn ’ t turn out to be this time for Sally Bowles .
The Gods of the CopyBook Headings wait in the wings .

The standard recipe for economic revival from some of our comrades on the right is more tax cuts and less red tape. We have always raised an eyebrow at it.
Not because there is anything wrong with either less bureaucracy and tax, but because this formula all too often leaves out another vital ingredient in the mix: lower spending – or rather lower rises in the rate of it – to march in step with lower taxes.
Sound money should be the guiding star of economic policy. Since the dismal science is also a social science, and so bound up with what people do, its laws are ultimately about human behaviour. These are made by the Gods of the Copybook Headings, and set out such universal truths as: you will run out of money you haven’t got.
One of the risks of government doing so that it develops a borrowing habit to compensate. Like an alcoholic’s dependency, this ends in ruin – with the economy, and the lives and livelihoods on which it depends, collapsing under the accumulated weight of debt and deficits.
None the less, there is a time to bend laws, if not break them, and one of those times is now – and in the near future when the world, God willing, emerges blinking from the Coronavirus. For the moment, our right-wing friends and comrades are right.
The Government should take its cue from Ronald Reagan, who once said that he wasn’t worried about America’s deficit, because “it’s big enough to take care of itself”. Yes, we need a Reaganesque programme of tax cuts, regulatory reform and infrastructure spending to try to grow rather than cut ourselves out of the hole we are in.
The latest measurement of it comes from the Office for Budget Responsibility. It sets out a three month lockdown scenario in which economic activity gradually return to normal over the next three months. GDP falls by 35 per cent. Unemployment hits ten per cent. Borrowing reaches nearly £100 billion.
Please note that although it gives a rebound figure of a 27 per cent rise in growth in the third quarter of this year it adds a 13 per cent fall in the last. The OBR’s estimate comes on top of a leaked Treasury paper forecasting a £337 billion budget deficit this year. Debt hits 96 per cent of GDP.
It is hard to capture the scale of such a disaster in human terms, let alone that of the world economy of which ours is part, but that unemployment figure offers a hint. It hasn’t reached ten per cent since the post-ERM adjustments of the early 1990s.
Remember: all this is predicated on the quick return to normal which is unlikely to happen. No wonder Rishi Sunak says we face “a significant recession”. The Chancellor is not a man given to overstatement, so for his “significant” we should substitute the “mega” of the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
In crude terms, there are four broad approaches to debts, recession and deficits on this scale. Governments can try to tax, print, borrow or cut their way out of trouble. So, first, tax. Every Budget we can remember contains some new tax or tax rise or both.
Modern government must tax something to raise revenue for public services, and there is a strong case in principle for shifting the burden of taxation – from income to spending, for example. But floating the idea simply illustrates the problems we have. This scarcely the moment to check consumer demand.
And overall, nations can’t tax their way back to prosperity. Especially since tax revenues as a share of national income are at their highest sustained level since the 1940s. Next, printing. Nick Boles believes that Parliament should instruct the Bank of England to provide £400 billion of monetary financing.
The reflex of conservatives old enough to remember it, or well informed enough to have heard of it, is to glance back to the inflationary era of the 1960s or 1970s. Boles argues that the circumstances now are different, precisely because we live in a deflationary era, rather than the reverse.
At the heart of his case is a big moral appeal: namely, that we are passing enough of a debt burden already on to our children and grandchildren. Though he doesn’t quite say so, his argument suggests that this generation should take the risk of a one-off inflation hit. And a bit of it would of course eradicate some of the value of Britain’s debt.
Economists are divided – as they inevitably will be – about whether inflation will be a feature of our post-virus landscape. Some say that it won’t be, because of depressed demand. Others, that it will be, since there will be bottlenecks in production and supply chain disruption.
Since the former looks likely to settle in, like a run of bad weather, and indeed is with us already, the idea of some new monetary stimulus shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand. But the Bank of England is certain to reach instead for the tried and tested: more quantitative easing.
This looks like the least bad option. It may be that for the foreseeable future the Government is able to borrow at rock bottom rates. And perhaps we will be able to grow our way out of the crisis. Maybe government will invest more effectively in infrastructure than in the past to join up urban conurbations and give them critical mass.
Perhaps Ministers will make a virtue of necessity, and use the effects of the crisis on higher and further education as a chance to usher in the Augar reforms, or something like them, and make a major switch to training. Maybe the post-virus will offer Boris Johnson a reset moment on housing reform.
Brooding on the future in Downing Street, perhaps he will send for Liz Truss, and giving her a mandate to further her disruptive ideas about supply side reform in over-regulated occupations, planning law and energy supply. We ought now to have a window for reforming social care. “Maybe this time,” as Liza Minnelli sings in Cabaret.
Taking a chance on all this looks a lot more palatable, and politically attractive, than cutting the rate of spending as a first resort. Johnson can thank George Osborne and David Cameron for the chance to booster his way out of recession. They put the changes in motion which brought the deficit down to about one per cent of GDP.
But we are not living happily ever after and Britain has an unhappy recent history of thinking that it can. Capital spending that delivers, industrial policy, a better trained workforce, investing rather than spending: we have our economic strengths, but these are not among them.
On this site, Neil O’Brien has wrestled with the question of whether we will indeed to borrow at those low bargain basement rates – the foundation stone on which a Reaganesque policy would be built. It doesn’t turn out to be this time for Sally Bowles. The Gods of the CopyBook Headings wait in the wings.


Coronavirus Count

Total number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 233,151 ( Up from 229,705 ) .
Total number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 33,614 ( Up from 33,186 ) .
Daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 3,446 ( Up from 3,242 ) .
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 428 ( Down from 494 ) .
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 From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
OUR PLAN TO REBUILD : THE UK GOVERNMENT ’ S COVID-19 RECOVERY STRATEGY See here .
New as of Monday May 11 .
GUIDANCE : FURTHER BUSINESSES AND PREMISES TO CLOSE See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
HOW EVERYONE CAN HELP STOP THE CORONAVIRUS ( SOCIAL DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
STAY AT HOME @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 See here .
Published on Friday March 20 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 not necessarily mean you have the illness .
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Updated as of 7.00 on Friday May 15th . )

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--2020-05-15--Iain Dale: When black women Labour MPs are wrong, white middle aged men should be free to call them

Iain Dale: When black women Labour MPs are wrong, white middle aged men should be free to call them out

Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and is a commentator for CNN .
Apparently , middle aged white men are now not allowed to disagree with black female Labour MPs .
Just by doing so , you automatically become a racist .
Well , I ’ m afraid I am not just going to sit by and allow someone to go unchallenged when they accuse the Prime Minister of this country of deliberately wanting people to die of Coronavirus .
Dawn Butler , who on a personal level I like , and I were on the Jeremy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were talking about the lifting of lockdown , and she came out with this pearl of wisdom : “ Boris Johnson is recklessly sending people out to work to catch the virus.
” Effectively , she might as well have accused him of political manslaughter .
He has done no such thing of course .
He has asked people to go to work if they safely can , and advised them not to use public transport .
Dawn would have known this had she actually read the government ’ s 50 page guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t read a word of it .
The Vine Show tweeted out a video of the exchange [ see above ] .
And then the heavens opened .
How dare I say what I did ?
I was a racist .
I was trying to “ tone police ” Dawn , apparently .
I have to admit that was a new one on me .
I said what I thought , and I stand by every word .
It was a disgraceful thing to say on her behalf and she needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Williamson or any other white man had said it , I ’ d have reacted in exactly the same way .
I don ’ t see skin colour in a political debate .
I don ’ t judge anyone by whether they have a Y chromosome or not .
I judge them by what comes out their mouth .
And in this case , it was a load of irresponsible bile .
I mean , think of it this way .
If you had contracted the Coronavirus and been at death ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point of view , would you think that one of the first things you ’ d do when you came out of hospital would be to deliberately think “ I know , I ’ ll do my best to make sure everyone goes through what I ’ ve just been through ” ?
You ’ d have to clinically insane .
Having said all that , I can ’ t in all conscience say it ’ s been the best of weeks for the Government ’ s communications strategy on virus .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the strain on the NHS is reducing by the day , and the death rate is falling , the measures announced on Sunday evening were not explained in a manner which gives people confidence in them .
Some Opposition politicians have perhaps gone overboard in exaggerating the confusion , but confusion there was , and it stemmed mainly from the new “ Stay Alert ” slogan .
OK , we all know what “ Stay Alert ” means , but it is just a bit woolly , compared to “ Stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sturgeon to grandstand but , frankly , it was rather difficult to disagree with anything she said .
Scotland is experiencing a higher death rate among the general population and also in care homes than the rest of the UK .
Sixty per cent of Covid-19 related deaths in Scotland occur in care homes , compared to 40 per cent in England .
The number of deaths in areas of high poverty are far higher than in England , yet neither she nor the Scottish public health system or its NHS are coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is .
Part of the reason for this is that she is doing better at talking a good game at her press conferences , and having a clarity of message which seems to be lacking in the same events down south .
She talks like a human being , doesn ’ t just repeat tired old soundbites , and answers questions from journalists in a seemingly straightforward way , albeit without allowing the journalists a follow-up question .
Downing Street could learn a lot from her in communications , if not policy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost as eagerly anticipated ( usually by journalists themselves , it has to be said ) as their cabinet equivalents .
Yesterday , we learned that Tom Newton Dunn , who has been Political Editor of The Sun for what seems like an eon , is moving to be the new chief political commentator for the yet to be launched Times Radio .
He , in turn , is being replaced by Harry Cole , the Deputy Political Editor of the Mail on Sunday .
He used to do the same role at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life running the Tory Bear blog , before making a real reputation for himself as a story-getter for the Guido Fawkes blog .
Another Guido Fawkes alumni , Alex Wickham , sadly lost his job as political editor of Buzzfeed , when they announced they were closing down their UK operation .
For my money , he has become one of the top three scoop-getters in the lobby , and it wouldn ’ t at all surprise me to see him hired by the Mail on Sunday to replace Harry Cole .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @

“He is sending people out to catch the virus.” MP Dawn Butler accuses Boris Johnson of being “reckless” in his handling of the pandemic – but is told by Iain Dale: “Phrases like that are actually pretty disgraceful.”@DawnButlerBrent | @IainDale | @TheJeremyVine | #JeremyVine pic.twitter.com/G2bn1PEna2 — Jeremy Vine On 5 (@JeremyVineOn5) May 13, 2020
Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and the For the Many podcast with Jacqui Smith.
Apparently, middle aged white men are now not allowed to disagree with black female Labour MPs. Just by doing so, you automatically become a racist.
Well, I’m afraid I am not just going to sit by and allow someone to go unchallenged when they accuse the Prime Minister of this country of deliberately wanting people to die of Coronavirus. Dawn Butler, who on a personal level I like, and I were on the Jeremy Vine on Five on Wednesday.
We were talking about the lifting of lockdown, and she came out with this pearl of wisdom: “Boris Johnson is recklessly sending people out to work to catch the virus.” Effectively, she might as well have accused him of political manslaughter.
He has done no such thing of course. He has asked people to go to work if they safely can, and advised them not to use public transport. Dawn would have known this had she actually read the government’s 50 page guidance document, but she admitted she hadn’t read a word of it.
The Vine Show tweeted out a video of the exchange [see above]. And then the heavens opened. How dare I say what I did? I was a racist. I was trying to “tone police” Dawn, apparently.
I have to admit that was a new one on me. I said what I thought, and I stand by every word. It was a disgraceful thing to say on her behalf and she needed to be called out on it.
If Chris Williamson or any other white man had said it, I’d have reacted in exactly the same way. I don’t see skin colour in a political debate. I don’t judge anyone by whether they have a Y chromosome or not. I judge them by what comes out their mouth. And in this case, it was a load of irresponsible bile.
I mean, think of it this way. If you had contracted the Coronavirus and been at death’s door, just from a logical point of view, would you think that one of the first things you’d do when you came out of hospital would be to deliberately think “I know, I’ll do my best to make sure everyone goes through what I’ve just been through”? You’d have to clinically insane.
– – – – – – – – – –
Having said all that, I can’t in all conscience say it’s been the best of weeks for the Government’s communications strategy on virus.
While the PPE issue seems to have becalmed, and the strain on the NHS is reducing by the day, and the death rate is falling, the measures announced on Sunday evening were not explained in a manner which gives people confidence in them.
Some Opposition politicians have perhaps gone overboard in exaggerating the confusion, but confusion there was, and it stemmed mainly from the new “Stay Alert” slogan.
OK, we all know what “Stay Alert” means, but it is just a bit woolly, compared to “Stay at Home”. It allowed Nicola Sturgeon to grandstand but, frankly, it was rather difficult to disagree with anything she said.
Scotland is experiencing a higher death rate among the general population and also in care homes than the rest of the UK. Sixty per cent of Covid-19 related deaths in Scotland occur in care homes, compared to 40 per cent in England.
The number of deaths in areas of high poverty are far higher than in England, yet neither she nor the Scottish public health system or its NHS are coming under anything like the criticism that Johnson is.
Part of the reason for this is that she is doing better at talking a good game at her press conferences, and having a clarity of message which seems to be lacking in the same events down south.
She talks like a human being, doesn’t just repeat tired old soundbites, and answers questions from journalists in a seemingly straightforward way, albeit without allowing the journalists a follow-up question. Downing Street could learn a lot from her in communications, if not policy.
– – – – – – – – – –
Reshuffles in the Westminster political lobby are almost as eagerly anticipated (usually by journalists themselves, it has to be said) as their cabinet equivalents. Yesterday, we learned that Tom Newton Dunn, who has been Political Editor of The Sun for what seems like an eon, is moving to be the new chief political commentator for the yet to be launched Times Radio.
He, in turn, is being replaced by Harry Cole, the Deputy Political Editor of the Mail on Sunday. He used to do the same role at The Sun. Harry started out in life running the Tory Bear blog, before making a real reputation for himself as a story-getter for the Guido Fawkes blog.
Another Guido Fawkes alumni, Alex Wickham, sadly lost his job as political editor of Buzzfeed, when they announced they were closing down their UK operation. For my money, he has become one of the top three scoop-getters in the lobby, and it wouldn’t at all surprise me to see him hired by the Mail on Sunday to replace Harry Cole. He ought to be in great demand.


conservativehome--2020-05-15--James Mallinder: In East Suffolk, our community-led approach is delivering results

Cllr James Mallinder is the Cabinet Member for the Environment on East Suffolk Council Can I make a difference ?
This is a question we should all ask ourselves .
In a society where individuals seem to be disconnecting , and communities cracking , there is a growing movement that seems to be unnoticed .
In villages , towns , and communities across the UK , residents for many years have come together to fill the gaps of families , policymakers , and institutions , who are not able to offer answers and solutions .
Society is changing and many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for the voluntary sector , the complete opposite is true .
More and more people in the past couple of years have formed societies and communities dealing with real local problems – on such issues as housing , speeding , and loneliness .
Communities and their volunteer groups are answering the call .
In dealing with the coronavirus , institutions talk in sweeping gestures and the mantra of ‘ we are here to help ’ .
But in the current situation , the key is getting the help to those that actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help our neighbours , institutions would fail completely in assisting those that need our help most .
As a Conservative , helping others that are less fortunate is a deep-rooted belief .
The core of why we are Conservative party members is to improve peoples lives , either individually or at a community level .
It is these initiatives – with dedicated local councillors that make a difference .
East Suffolk is the newest District Council in the UK and has embraced this mantra by implementing a number of community-led policies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities budget of £7,500 per year .
This is funded from the New Homes Bonus and allows ward members to discuss local issues with local people and really make sure the funds go to the areas in need , not just groups that shout the loudest .
Funding has been granted to projects as diverse as a village defibrillator , painting the sports pavilion , or a speed gun for a neighbourhood watch scheme .
This spending tends to be very locally based .
So , as one of our flagship initiatives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Gallant , developed Community partnerships .
These have been established to bring solutions focused on local priorities .
During the consultation process of forming the new East Suffolk Council , concerns were expressed that 55 councillors would have to cover a larger geographical area and will therefore suffer disconnection from local residents .
Therefore the district has been split into eight community partnerships based on natural grouping of communities .
These new groups consist of the ward members , county councillor , Suffolk police representative , and the relevant clinical commission group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and community groups .
To break down old formulaic methods of working , these community partnerships are informal bodies with a solution focused workshop style .
Old working patterns do not necessarily give the right solutions , so it was important to look at new ways of working .
We focus on priorities identified at annual workshops and based on data and local insight .
These community partnerships will then evolve organically to reflect local distinctiveness .
There are real funding opportunities to match conclusions with £25,000 per year for the next three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A strategic budget of £300,000 a year for the next three years will be available to invest in infrastructural works and groups can bid for a part of this larger pot .
Effective local Government only works when they take their lead from local residents .
By empowering and sharing information through Community Partnerships , East Suffolk has become a strong institution and this , in turn , makes for agile politics .
This is trickle up politics rather than trickle down .
Once we have returned to normal working conditions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belief in our politicians will be strong and we must focus this feeling .
This good should be used to develop community-based politics and to reach out to those not normally engaged with the political system , particularly local government .
In dealing with coronavirus , suddenly local councillors are relevant , and they have provided a crucial lifeline to communities and residents .
By developing similar instruments such as community partnerships , this goodwill can be focused towards where it is needed most , to make a real and lasting difference .

Cllr James Mallinder is the Cabinet Member for the Environment on East Suffolk Council
Can I make a difference? This is a question we should all ask ourselves. In a society where individuals seem to be disconnecting, and communities cracking, there is a growing movement that seems to be unnoticed.
In villages, towns, and communities across the UK, residents for many years have come together to fill the gaps of families, policymakers, and institutions, who are not able to offer answers and solutions. Society is changing and many institutions haven’t evolved. However, for the voluntary sector, the complete opposite is true. More and more people in the past couple of years have formed societies and communities dealing with real local problems – on such issues as housing, speeding, and loneliness. Communities and their volunteer groups are answering the call.
In dealing with the coronavirus, institutions talk in sweeping gestures and the mantra of ‘we are here to help’. But in the current situation, the key is getting the help to those that actually need it.
Without individuals coming together to help our neighbours, institutions would fail completely in assisting those that need our help most.
As a Conservative, helping others that are less fortunate is a deep-rooted belief. The core of why we are Conservative party members is to improve peoples lives, either individually or at a community level. It is these initiatives – with dedicated local councillors that make a difference. East Suffolk is the newest District Council in the UK and has embraced this mantra by implementing a number of community-led policies.
Each ward member is given an enabling communities budget of £7,500 per year. This is funded from the New Homes Bonus and allows ward members to discuss local issues with local people and really make sure the funds go to the areas in need, not just groups that shout the loudest. Funding has been granted to projects as diverse as a village defibrillator, painting the sports pavilion, or a speed gun for a neighbourhood watch scheme. This spending tends to be very locally based. So, as one of our flagship initiatives, the Leader of East Suffolk, Cllr Steve Gallant, developed Community partnerships. These have been established to bring solutions focused on local priorities.
During the consultation process of forming the new East Suffolk Council, concerns were expressed that 55 councillors would have to cover a larger geographical area and will therefore suffer disconnection from local residents. Therefore the district has been split into eight community partnerships based on natural grouping of communities. These new groups consist of the ward members, county councillor, Suffolk police representative, and the relevant clinical commission group and representatives from youth, business, and community groups.
To break down old formulaic methods of working, these community partnerships are informal bodies with a solution focused workshop style. Old working patterns do not necessarily give the right solutions, so it was important to look at new ways of working.
We focus on priorities identified at annual workshops and based on data and local insight. These community partnerships will then evolve organically to reflect local distinctiveness.
There are real funding opportunities to match conclusions with £25,000 per year for the next three years to be spent against agreed priorities. A strategic budget of £300,000 a year for the next three years will be available to invest in infrastructural works and groups can bid for a part of this larger pot.
Effective local Government only works when they take their lead from local residents. By empowering and sharing information through Community Partnerships, East Suffolk has become a strong institution and this, in turn, makes for agile politics. This is trickle up politics rather than trickle down.
Once we have returned to normal working conditions for a period of time, respect and belief in our politicians will be strong and we must focus this feeling. This good should be used to develop community-based politics and to reach out to those not normally engaged with the political system, particularly local government .
In dealing with coronavirus, suddenly local councillors are relevant, and they have provided a crucial lifeline to communities and residents. By developing similar instruments such as community partnerships, this goodwill can be focused towards where it is needed most, to make a real and lasting difference.


conservativehome--2020-05-15--“Una faccia, una razza”. Greece – a success story in managing Covid-19?

During the course of the Coronavirus crisis , the public has heard a lot about Germany , Sweden and South Korea , in terms of how each has managed the pandemic .
But one country that has received less attention is Greece .
In spite of its close proximity to Italy , which was majorly affected by the Covid-19 crisis , and the fact it has one of the oldest populations in the EU ( second to Italy ) , Greece has managed to mitigate Covid-19 in a rather astonishing way .
Indeed , it has had just 2,744 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Hopkins University – even more of an achievement given that its healthcare system has been weakened by a decade-long financial crisis .
What ’ s been credited for its small transmission rate is its government ’ s choice to impose lockdown quickly .
It was sparked into action on February 27 , when Greece ’ s first Covid-19 case was diagnosed in Thessaloniki , the second-largest city in the country .
Then on March 11 , the government shut down schools and by March 16 the country was in full lockdown – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its rules , there have been police roadblocks , and Greek citizens are required to download and fill in a government form that explains any visits they make each day , and how long these will take .
As most of them carry ID at all times , officials can then check they are not breaking the rules against their documents .
There are also fines for civil disobedience .
One source tells me that these can be anything from 150 to 300 euros .
To UK citizens this might not seem like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economically tumultuous times Greece has experienced , it can be as much as a monthly wage for some .
Fines are even higher for people coming from abroad , who will be charged around £4,330 if they do not go through a two-week quarantine .
Considering how politically turbulent Greece has been over the years , some have been surprised at how compliant the population has been with government plans .
One reason for this compliance is likely to be huge sympathy with Italy , whose own horrifying battle with Coronavirus was broadcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cultural affinity with the country , epitomised by the Italian phrase “ una faccia , una razza ” ( one face , one race ) .
It famously refers to their long-standing historical relationship .
This might help to explain why Greece was one of the most reactive countries in witnessing Italy .
There are other health reasons why Greeks may have been particularly compliant , not least healthcare capabilities .
Though its government ramped up the country ’ s hospital capacity – with a 70 per cent increase in intensive care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – the system is still not as strong as others , as a result of Greece ’ s economic woes .
Perhaps citizens recognise this – and are being cautious accordingly .
Whatever the impetus , compliance has been impressive .
But that doesn ’ t mean there are no challenges ahead for Greece .
One is the secondary affects of Covid-19 .
Yes , the government has protected its citizens in the immediate .
But because so much of its economy depends on tourism , the lack of travellers over summer – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel – will have a huge impact .
There ’ s also its ongoing migrant crisis , with Coronavirus cases among refugees on Lesbos .
The government will be tested in terms of how best to deal with the situation – in the framework of an increasingly fractured EU .
And lastly there ’ s the fact less than one per cent of people in Greece have been tested for Covid-19 .
Although it is now trying to ease lockdown measures , it remains to be seen how many cases of Covid-19 dormant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up again as people are let out .
Even so , the country ’ s reputation for instability – political and economic – has certainly been tempered by this crisis .

During the course of the Coronavirus crisis, the public has heard a lot about Germany, Sweden and South Korea, in terms of how each has managed the pandemic.
But one country that has received less attention is Greece.
In spite of its close proximity to Italy, which was majorly affected by the Covid-19 crisis, and the fact it has one of the oldest populations in the EU (second to Italy), Greece has managed to mitigate Covid-19 in a rather astonishing way.
Indeed, it has had just 2,744 confirmed cases and 152 deaths, according to John Hopkins University – even more of an achievement given that its healthcare system has been weakened by a decade-long financial crisis.
What’s been credited for its small transmission rate is its government’s choice to impose lockdown quickly.
It was sparked into action on February 27, when Greece’s first Covid-19 case was diagnosed in Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in the country.
In response, the government cancelled Greece’s annual carnival.
Then on March 11, the government shut down schools and by March 16 the country was in full lockdown – ahead of many others.
To enforce its rules, there have been police roadblocks, and Greek citizens are required to download and fill in a government form that explains any visits they make each day, and how long these will take.
As most of them carry ID at all times, officials can then check they are not breaking the rules against their documents.
There are also fines for civil disobedience.
One source tells me that these can be anything from 150 to 300 euros.
To UK citizens this might not seem like an astronomical amount, but given the economically tumultuous times Greece has experienced, it can be as much as a monthly wage for some.
Fines are even higher for people coming from abroad, who will be charged around £4,330 if they do not go through a two-week quarantine.
Considering how politically turbulent Greece has been over the years, some have been surprised at how compliant the population has been with government plans.
One reason for this compliance is likely to be huge sympathy with Italy, whose own horrifying battle with Coronavirus was broadcast across Europe.
Greece has something of a cultural affinity with the country, epitomised by the Italian phrase “una faccia, una razza” (one face, one race). It famously refers to their long-standing historical relationship.
This might help to explain why Greece was one of the most reactive countries in witnessing Italy.
There are other health reasons why Greeks may have been particularly compliant, not least healthcare capabilities.
Though its government ramped up the country’s hospital capacity – with a 70 per cent increase in intensive care beds and 3,337 additional hospital staff members – the system is still not as strong as others, as a result of Greece’s economic woes.
Perhaps citizens recognise this – and are being cautious accordingly.
Whatever the impetus, compliance has been impressive.
But that doesn’t mean there are no challenges ahead for Greece.
One is the secondary affects of Covid-19.
Yes, the government has protected its citizens in the immediate.
But because so much of its economy depends on tourism, the lack of travellers over summer – partially because their own governments have banned travel – will have a huge impact.
There’s also its ongoing migrant crisis, with Coronavirus cases among refugees on Lesbos.
The government will be tested in terms of how best to deal with the situation – in the framework of an increasingly fractured EU.
And lastly there’s the fact less than one per cent of people in Greece have been tested for Covid-19.
Although it is now trying to ease lockdown measures, it remains to be seen how many cases of Covid-19 dormant in the population; they could shoot up again as people are let out.
Even so, the country’s reputation for instability – political and economic – has certainly been tempered by this crisis.


conservativehome--2020-05-15--Covid-19 is a slender excuse for Johnson’s u-turn on lifestyle freedom

Viewed in the light of a long career lampooning the nanny state and projecting an aura of indulgent , libertarian joie de vivre , reports that Boris Johnson is considering a new public health crusade against obesity might be faintly surprising .
It will come as less of a shock to those of us who paid close attention as he campaigned for the leadership on an avowedly unionist platform only to capitulate on the Irish Protocol .
Or bow to institutional inertia and green-light HS2 .
Perhaps in happier times we might have kept the Prime Minister who announced he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and vetoed its extension to dairy products ( the ‘ milkshake tax ’ ) .
But the ‘ public health ’ lobby is an extremely well-established and powerful one , and his record on standing up to these never offered much cause for optimism .
There is no doubt that circumstances have primed even many of us who have intellectually or morally opposed to such programmes to receive Johnson ’ s new message .
Whilst some people are managing to lose weight in lockdown , others are struggling without access to competitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new reality of being locked in with the fridge for the better part of every day .
I myself have had two years ’ of slow but steady progress on my weight grind to a halt ( on a good week ) and have moved in further into the Prime Minister ’ s target audience by getting myself a bike .
My pre-Covid fitness regimen comprised mostly swimming , personal training , kickboxing , and dancing – all gone , some perhaps until autumn or longer .
Yet using the current pandemic as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on measures they ’ ve always wanted anyway still seems like a stretch , no pun intended .
Notwithstanding questions of libertarian principle , any strategy built around squeezing products out of the market , and then trying to offset waterbed effects as people seek their sugar-hit elsewhere , are only likely to be effective ( if at all ) over a timeline much longer than the wait for a vaccine .
We should not forget that Johnson was reviewing the sugar tax precisely to see whether or not it actually worked – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind ’ on .
Likewise , there are any number of worthy exercise-incentive policies – from Johnson ’ s cherished cycle schemes to making gym memberships and other fitness products tax deductible – which could make a difference , but not quickly .
The idea that a solution to Covid-19 might be a year or more away , so the Government should ‘ solve the obesity crisis ’ because that can be done quicker , suggests a government unfamiliar with history or scale of this particular problem .
Any programme aimed at slimming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the winter wave of Covid-19 would have to be much , much more dramatic than any of these .
If he isn ’ t mulling whacking VAT on food , perhaps the Prime Minister is flicking through that recent Ministry of Defence report on reintroducing national service .
Meanwhile the negative consequences of squeezing the disposal income of the worse-off will still be felt in full , including by many of the new voters who rallied to the Conservative at the election .
Consolidating that loyalty , and reviving what George Dangerfield once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” where working-class voters saw the Tories as a shield against hectoring elites , is a work in progress .
Or at least was .

Viewed in the light of a long career lampooning the nanny state and projecting an aura of indulgent, libertarian joie de vivre, reports that Boris Johnson is considering a new public health crusade against obesity might be faintly surprising.
It will come as less of a shock to those of us who paid close attention as he campaigned for the leadership on an avowedly unionist platform only to capitulate on the Irish Protocol. Or bow to institutional inertia and green-light HS2.
Perhaps in happier times we might have kept the Prime Minister who announced he was going to review the sugar tax, and vetoed its extension to dairy products (the ‘milkshake tax’). But the ‘public health’ lobby is an extremely well-established and powerful one, and his record on standing up to these never offered much cause for optimism.
There is no doubt that circumstances have primed even many of us who have intellectually or morally opposed to such programmes to receive Johnson’s new message. Whilst some people are managing to lose weight in lockdown, others are struggling without access to competitive or organised exercise, or with the new reality of being locked in with the fridge for the better part of every day.
I myself have had two years’ of slow but steady progress on my weight grind to a halt (on a good week) and have moved in further into the Prime Minister’s target audience by getting myself a bike. My pre-Covid fitness regimen comprised mostly swimming, personal training, kickboxing, and dancing – all gone, some perhaps until autumn or longer.
Yet using the current pandemic as an excuse to indulge the puritan lobby on measures they’ve always wanted anyway still seems like a stretch, no pun intended.
Notwithstanding questions of libertarian principle, any strategy built around squeezing products out of the market, and then trying to offset waterbed effects as people seek their sugar-hit elsewhere, are only likely to be effective (if at all) over a timeline much longer than the wait for a vaccine. We should not forget that Johnson was reviewing the sugar tax precisely to see whether or not it actually worked – an odd thing to ‘change your mind’ on.
Likewise, there are any number of worthy exercise-incentive policies – from Johnson’s cherished cycle schemes to making gym memberships and other fitness products tax deductible – which could make a difference, but not quickly.
The idea that a solution to Covid-19 might be a year or more away, so the Government should ‘solve the obesity crisis’ because that can be done quicker, suggests a government unfamiliar with history or scale of this particular problem. Any programme aimed at slimming the nation down in time to meet the winter wave of Covid-19 would have to be much, much more dramatic than any of these. If he isn’t mulling whacking VAT on food, perhaps the Prime Minister is flicking through that recent Ministry of Defence report on reintroducing national service.
Meanwhile the negative consequences of squeezing the disposal income of the worse-off will still be felt in full, including by many of the new voters who rallied to the Conservative at the election. Consolidating that loyalty, and reviving what George Dangerfield once described as the “little political fortresses” where working-class voters saw the Tories as a shield against hectoring elites, is a work in progress. Or at least was.


conservativehome--2020-05-16--MPs must return to Westminster, and subject the Government to proper scrutiny, at the earliest oppor

MPs must return to Westminster, and subject the Government to proper scrutiny, at the earliest opportunity

The virtual House of Commons , though better than nothing , is but a pale shadow of the real thing .
Our nation is in danger , which makes parliamentary scrutiny vital , and the return of MPs to Westminster at the earliest opportunity essential .
Few fair-minded people will blame the Government for sometimes changing its mind about how to meet the crisis .
But ministers must come to the House and explain what they are doing and why .
Daily Downing Street press conferences , however well conducted , are not a forum in which the arguments against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aired and examined .
Such occasions carry with them an unpleasant hint of despotism : of a central power which brooks no effective opposition .
By being in the House on Wednesday , and exercising so skilfully his constitutional right to question the Prime Minister , Sir Keir Starmer , the Leader of the Opposition , subjected Boris Johnson to far more intense scrutiny than can occur at press conferences .
For the formation of public opinion , a free press is indispensable .
But it is in the House of Commons that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is running into danger , and what adjustments of tone and substance are needed in order to regain the support of its own MPs .
Free institutions uphold our liberties by telling the Government when it is going too far , or has got things wrong .
Without them , as Alexis de Tocqueville saw , one ends up with a revolution , caused not only by the discontent of the ruled but by the ignorance of the rulers .
Here is how Jacob Rees-Mogg , the Leader of the House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early return of MPs to Westminster : “ We see in this Parliament—in this House today—the ineffectiveness of scrutiny in comparison to when the House is operating in the normal way .
We have no flexibility of questions .
The questions are all listed in advance , with no ability for people to bob , to come in and to join in the debate ; no cross-cutting of debate ; and no ability to advance arguments or take them forward .
“ We simply have a series of prepared statements made one after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Commons doing its proper duty and playing its proper role of scrutiny of the Government .
“ Then there is the other side of it : where are the Bill Committees ?
How are Bills progressing ?
What is happening to the legislative agenda that the Government were elected on in December ?
Or do we just ignore our constituents , ignore the voters and not get on with a proper democratic parliamentary system ?
“ The idea that our democratic system is not an essential one—is not the lifeblood of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are held to account at a time of crisis—is one that is surprising .
It is extraordinary that it should be held by Opposition Members ; that they should not wish to be here , challenging the Government and holding them to account ; and that they wish to hide behind a veneer of virtual Parliament , so that legislation is not progressed with… “ What we do is essential .
Holding the Government to account is essential and delivering on manifesto promises is also essential , and that is what I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we come back from the Whitsun recess , in line with what is happening in other parts of the country .
“ The intention is for schools to go back : how can we say to our schoolchildren , ‘ You ’ re safe going back ’ —some of them—but we are not ?
How can we hide away while schoolchildren are going back ?
Is that the right message to give to our constituents ?
“ Are we a people set apart , a special class who are exempt from what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No , we are not .
We are the leaders of our nation , and we have a responsibility .
That responsibility falls on us to come back , but we can observe social distancing .
“ We can look at the Chamber as it is set out .
We can look at the Division Lobbies that have been arranged by you , Mr Speaker , to make sure that the Clerks are safe and that Members are safe .
That is the right way for us to proceed , so that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be brought forward in accordance with the mandate that the British people gave us .
“ Stay at home , work from home if you can .
We in reality can not and that is why we ought to be coming back .
”

The virtual House of Commons, though better than nothing, is but a pale shadow of the real thing. Our nation is in danger, which makes parliamentary scrutiny vital, and the return of MPs to Westminster at the earliest opportunity essential.
Few fair-minded people will blame the Government for sometimes changing its mind about how to meet the crisis. But ministers must come to the House and explain what they are doing and why.
Daily Downing Street press conferences, however well conducted, are not a forum in which the arguments against what is being done can be fully aired and examined.
Such occasions carry with them an unpleasant hint of despotism: of a central power which brooks no effective opposition.
By being in the House on Wednesday, and exercising so skilfully his constitutional right to question the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, subjected Boris Johnson to far more intense scrutiny than can occur at press conferences.
For the formation of public opinion, a free press is indispensable. But it is in the House of Commons that the Government can discover most quickly when it is running into danger, and what adjustments of tone and substance are needed in order to regain the support of its own MPs.
Free institutions uphold our liberties by telling the Government when it is going too far, or has got things wrong. Without them, as Alexis de Tocqueville saw, one ends up with a revolution, caused not only by the discontent of the ruled but by the ignorance of the rulers.
Here is how Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the House, made the case on Wednesday for an early return of MPs to Westminster:


conservativehome--2020-05-16--New York Times journalists, blinded by moral indignation, cannot understand how Trump got where he i

New York Times journalists, blinded by moral indignation, cannot understand how Trump got where he is today

Dark Towers : Deutsche Bank , Donald Trump , and an Epic Trail of Destruction by David Enrich The author of this book is not a novelist : he is Finance Editor of The New York Times .
But here is his opening sentence : One sees from this sentence , which has presumably received much thought , that the author will never be a novelist .
Nor does he have an acute feeling for London : later on he refers to “ Kentish Town , a hipster enclave in the northern part of the city ” .
David Enrich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the suicide of a senior Deutsche Bank executive , Bill Broeksmit , takes enormous trouble to get to know the dead man ’ s unhappy stepson , and thereby obtains the entire contents of the deceased ’ s computer .
The suicide , which Broeksmit carried out in his flat in London by hanging himself with the lead of the family dog , could be the opening episode in an airport thriller , the sort of book where the plot carries the reader along , even if the prose is humdrum .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by serious newspapers – he was with The Wall Street Journal , where he had a spell as European Banking Editor , before joining The New York Times – Enrich is dedicated to telling the truth .
And for this book he can not devise a plot , or what in newspapers is known as a story , which conforms to the requirements of an airport thriller , while also being true .
There are instead three plots , none of which has yet reached a satisfactory denouement .
We have the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examined at inordinate length but never properly explained , even though he left notes to seven different people in the dog basket .
And we have the story of how Deutsche Bank wrecked itself by abandoning its stolid German business practices and aping the worst excesses of Wall Street .
Lastly , we have the story of Deutsche ’ s most famous client , Donald Trump .
But this is the least finished story of the three , involving as it does a President who is still waging a legal battle to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring it to release his tax returns and other information about his finances , which it has held since the days when it lent him enormous sums of money .
The Supreme Court is expected to rule this summer on that case .
Trump ’ s hopes of re-election could turn on what it says .
But many people who have examined Trump ’ s record have long ago decided he is morally unfit to be President , and this is yet another problem for those who write about him .
For if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , any claim of impartiality is liable to look hypocritical .
Enrich reminds us that Trump came to be regarded , during his career as a New York property developer , as someone with whom it was inadvisable to do business : This was because Trump over and over again turned on those with whom he was in partnership , ordering his lawyers to hurl preposterous but potentially ruinous allegations at them , so that in the end it became cheaper and safer to pay him to go away than to contest the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year described this practice in Plaintiff In Chief : A Portrait of Donald Trump in 3,500 Lawsuits .
In Enrich ’ s book , we get Trump ’ s relationship with Deutsche , an institution which as it sought to modernise itself , and diversify out of financing German industry , came to be dominated by greedy , arrogant , hyper-competitive investment bankers , who put profit before reputational risk , and plunged in where others , quite rightly , feared to tread .
Deutsche was involved , Enrich points out , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it provided a useful service to those who wished to get their money out .
It was late to the party in New York , where it ended up with the clients and acquisitions other banks refused to touch .
Over the years , it lent several billion dollars to Trump and to members of Trump ’ s family .
When he took some of Deutsche ’ s executives to Mar-a-Lago , his resort in Florida , he played golf with them : Trump exaggerated his personal wealth by a factor of about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it lent to him .
In 2008 , when a repayment to the bank of $ 40 million was due , he proceeded to invoke the force majeure clause in the contract , claiming the financial crash was a “ tsunami ” ( a term used by Alan Greenspan ) , so amounted to an act of God , which meant Trump was not obliged to pay .
Nor did his shamelessness end there .
He accused Deutsche of “ predatory lending practices ” and demanded it pay damages of $ 3 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in future he would not be allowed to attend its golf tournament , yet in due course a settlement was reached .
The investment banking arm of Deutsche vowed never again to do business with him , but in an act of self-parody , its private banking arm lent him the money he needed to repay Deutsche .
With the help of this messed up bank , Trump maintained his reputation as a successful businessman .
Historians will need to work out whether Deutsche ’ s help was indispensable , but one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant .
One of the paradoxes of Trump the nationalist is that he was funded by foreigners .
The respectable rich of New York wanted nothing to do with him , nor did the educated classes , for they agreed with the testimony to Congress of his former lawyer Michael Cohen that Trump is a crook , a racist , a cheat and a con-man .
This disdain he feels acutely , but it has helped him to present himself to the wider American public as an outsider .
Indignation at Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power , his nerve in a tight spot , his eye for other people ’ s weaknesses and his ability to pretend as his position crumbles that everything is going swimmingly .
He talked Deutsche round because it wanted so much to believe his hype , his pretence of being a profitable customer , and later on he talked millions of Americans round because they too wanted so much to believe his hype , his pretence that he could Make America Great Again .
This is something which a prim and proper institution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grasp .
Moral indignation precludes comprehension of the huckster ’ s resourcefulness .
When Trump won the presidency , Deutsche found itself in an alarming position .
He still owed the bank a lot of money , and if he refused to pay , it would face “ the ugly choice between seizing the President ’ s personal assets or not enforcing the loan terms and , in effect , dispensing a very lucrative gift to the American president ” .
This book is full of admirable research , muddled up with irrelevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over-excited by whatever is new , regardless of whether it sheds much light on what is actually happening .
Perhaps the attempt to start the book as if it were a novel carries an implicit recognition that journalism is not enough .
To comprehend a character like Trump , and see how he gets people to do his bidding , the gifts of a novelist are required .
To Enrich ’ s credit , he does in Chapter One relate a scandal from the 1880s and 1890s , when the fledgling Deutsche Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Henry Villard , a German-born American financier , to invest in American railroad stocks .
Trump is not as new as his critics are inclined to suppose .
He has much in common with the robber barons of the late 19th and early 20th centuries whom Theodore Roosevelt made such a good thing out of opposing .
The history of the United States is not just a tale of virtue rewarded .
It includes figures like Andrew Jackson , Andrew Johnson , Warren G. Harding and Donald Trump .

Dark Towers: Deutsche Bank, Donald Trump, and an Epic Trail of Destruction by David Enrich
The author of this book is not a novelist: he is Finance Editor of The New York Times. But here is his opening sentence:
“It was a little before one p.m. when a wiry American emerged from the Tube station into a drizzle, the type of dreary January weather that earns London its reputation as a depressing place during the long winter months.”
One sees from this sentence, which has presumably received much thought, that the author will never be a novelist. Nor does he have an acute feeling for London: later on he refers to “Kentish Town, a hipster enclave in the northern part of the city”.
David Enrich is a gifted financial reporter who, after the suicide of a senior Deutsche Bank executive, Bill Broeksmit, takes enormous trouble to get to know the dead man’s unhappy stepson, and thereby obtains the entire contents of the deceased’s computer.
The suicide, which Broeksmit carried out in his flat in London by hanging himself with the lead of the family dog, could be the opening episode in an airport thriller, the sort of book where the plot carries the reader along, even if the prose is humdrum.
But as a professional journalist, employed by serious newspapers – he was with The Wall Street Journal, where he had a spell as European Banking Editor, before joining The New York Times – Enrich is dedicated to telling the truth.
And for this book he cannot devise a plot, or what in newspapers is known as a story, which conforms to the requirements of an airport thriller, while also being true.
There are instead three plots, none of which has yet reached a satisfactory denouement. We have the story of poor Broeksmit, whose death is examined at inordinate length but never properly explained, even though he left notes to seven different people in the dog basket.
And we have the story of how Deutsche Bank wrecked itself by abandoning its stolid German business practices and aping the worst excesses of Wall Street.
Lastly, we have the story of Deutsche’s most famous client, Donald Trump. But this is the least finished story of the three, involving as it does a President who is still waging a legal battle to stop Deutsche complying with subpoenas by congressional committees requiring it to release his tax returns and other information about his finances, which it has held since the days when it lent him enormous sums of money.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule this summer on that case. Trump’s hopes of re-election could turn on what it says.
But many people who have examined Trump’s record have long ago decided he is morally unfit to be President, and this is yet another problem for those who write about him.
For if one is already convinced of his guilt, any claim of impartiality is liable to look hypocritical.
Enrich reminds us that Trump came to be regarded, during his career as a New York property developer, as someone with whom it was inadvisable to do business:
“Even Trump’s friends would go to considerable lengths to avoid lending him money.”
This was because Trump over and over again turned on those with whom he was in partnership, ordering his lawyers to hurl preposterous but potentially ruinous allegations at them, so that in the end it became cheaper and safer to pay him to go away than to contest the Trumped-up charges.
James D. Zirin last year described this practice in Plaintiff In Chief: A Portrait of Donald Trump in 3,500 Lawsuits.
In Enrich’s book, we get Trump’s relationship with Deutsche, an institution which as it sought to modernise itself, and diversify out of financing German industry, came to be dominated by greedy, arrogant, hyper-competitive investment bankers, who put profit before reputational risk, and plunged in where others, quite rightly, feared to tread.
Deutsche was involved, Enrich points out, in
“money laundering, tax evasion, manipulating interest rates, manipulating the prices of precious metals, manipulating the currencies markets, bribing foreign officials, accounting fraud, violating international sanctions, ripping off customers, and ripping off the German, British, and United States governments.”
It plunged deep into Russia, where it provided a useful service to those who wished to get their money out. It was late to the party in New York, where it ended up with the clients and acquisitions other banks refused to touch.
Over the years, it lent several billion dollars to Trump and to members of Trump’s family. When he took some of Deutsche’s executives to Mar-a-Lago, his resort in Florida, he played golf with them:
“Trump, decked out in white polyester, impressed the bankers with his brazen cheating.”
Trump exaggerated his personal wealth by a factor of about four, Deutsche reckoned, yet still it lent to him. In 2008, when a repayment to the bank of $40 million was due, he proceeded to invoke the force majeure clause in the contract, claiming the financial crash was a “tsunami” (a term used by Alan Greenspan), so amounted to an act of God, which meant Trump was not obliged to pay.
Nor did his shamelessness end there. He accused Deutsche of “predatory lending practices” and demanded it pay damages of $3 billion.
The bank was so angry it said in future he would not be allowed to attend its golf tournament, yet in due course a settlement was reached.
The investment banking arm of Deutsche vowed never again to do business with him, but in an act of self-parody, its private banking arm lent him the money he needed to repay Deutsche.
With the help of this messed up bank, Trump maintained his reputation as a successful businessman. Historians will need to work out whether Deutsche’s help was indispensable, but one can see already that it was highly significant.
One of the paradoxes of Trump the nationalist is that he was funded by foreigners.
The respectable rich of New York wanted nothing to do with him, nor did the educated classes, for they agreed with the testimony to Congress of his former lawyer Michael Cohen that Trump is a crook, a racist, a cheat and a con-man.
This disdain he feels acutely, but it has helped him to present himself to the wider American public as an outsider.
Indignation at Trump’s shamelessness averts recognition of his staying power, his nerve in a tight spot, his eye for other people’s weaknesses and his ability to pretend as his position crumbles that everything is going swimmingly.
He talked Deutsche round because it wanted so much to believe his hype, his pretence of being a profitable customer, and later on he talked millions of Americans round because they too wanted so much to believe his hype, his pretence that he could Make America Great Again.
This is something which a prim and proper institution like The New York Times cannot grasp. Moral indignation precludes comprehension of the huckster’s resourcefulness.
When Trump won the presidency, Deutsche found itself in an alarming position. He still owed the bank a lot of money, and if he refused to pay, it would face “the ugly choice between seizing the President’s personal assets or not enforcing the loan terms and, in effect, dispensing a very lucrative gift to the American president”.
This book is full of admirable research, muddled up with irrelevant characters and excursions. We journalists get over-excited by whatever is new, regardless of whether it sheds much light on what is actually happening.
Perhaps the attempt to start the book as if it were a novel carries an implicit recognition that journalism is not enough. To comprehend a character like Trump, and see how he gets people to do his bidding, the gifts of a novelist are required.
To Enrich’s credit, he does in Chapter One relate a scandal from the 1880s and 1890s, when the fledgling Deutsche Bank got badly burned after it was persuaded by Henry Villard, a German-born American financier, to invest in American railroad stocks.
Trump is not as new as his critics are inclined to suppose. He has much in common with the robber barons of the late 19th and early 20th centuries whom Theodore Roosevelt made such a good thing out of opposing.
The history of the United States is not just a tale of virtue rewarded. It includes figures like Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Warren G. Harding and Donald Trump.


Coronavirus Count

Total number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 34,466 ( Up from 33,998 ) .
Daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 3,451 ( Down from 3,560 ) .
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 468 ( Up from 384 ) .
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 From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
“ The risk to the UK has been raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
OUR PLAN TO REBUILD : THE UK GOVERNMENT ’ S COVID-19 RECOVERY STRATEGY See here .
New as of Monday May 11 .
GUIDANCE : FURTHER BUSINESSES AND PREMISES TO CLOSE See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
HOW EVERYONE CAN HELP STOP THE CORONAVIRUS ( SOCIAL DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
STAY AT HOME IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE CORONAVIRUS ( SELF-DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Published on Monday March 23 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR WORKERS ON WHAT AND HOW THEY CAN CLAIM See here .
Published on Friday March 20 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 not necessarily mean you have the illness .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Updated as of 17.30 on Saturday May 16th . )


conservativehome--2020-05-17--WATCH: Post-financial crisis style austerity “is not a done deal” – chairman of the Office of Budget

WATCH: Post-financial crisis style austerity “is not a done deal” – chairman of the Office of Budget Responsibility

# Marr : Can the government sustain £300bn of debt without raising taxes ?
Chairman of Office for Budget Responsibility @ @ @ @ @ post-financial crisis style extended period of austerity is not a done deal '' https : @ @

#Marr: Can the government sustain £300bn of debt without raising taxes?
Chairman of Office for Budget Responsibility Robert Chote: "A post-financial crisis style extended period of austerity is not a done deal"https://t.co/pPpX4XVxC9 pic.twitter.com/t213m7Wosv
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) May 17, 2020


conservativehome--2020-05-17--WATCH: Gove – “We’re confident that children and teachers will be safe”

Michael Gove says he 's confident `` children and teachers will be safe '' when schools open , provided the @ @ @ @ @ The Cabinet Office Minister tells # Marr there haven ’ t been coronavirus outbreaks `` @ @ @ @ @ https : //t.co/lFtwIJGUT1 pic.twitter.com/ZHcRVOA36P

Michael Gove says he's confident "children and teachers will be safe" when schools open, provided the right measures are in place
The Cabinet Office Minister tells #Marr there haven’t been coronavirus outbreaks "in traditional class settings"https://t.co/lFtwIJGUT1 pic.twitter.com/ZHcRVOA36P
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) May 17, 2020


conservativehome--2020-05-17--WATCH: Government must “publish the science” behind June date for schools reopening, says Rayner

`` If we 've got the test , tracking and tracing in place for schools then that would reassure parents @ @ @ @ @ Angela Rayner says the government should reassure parents and teachers , & publish the science @ @ @ @ @ # Marr https : //t.co/lFtwIJGUT1 pic.twitter.com/Z8eduxfu3C

"If we've got the test, tracking and tracing in place for schools then that would reassure parents"
Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner says the government should reassure parents and teachers, & publish the science behind plan to reopen schools #Marr https://t.co/lFtwIJGUT1 pic.twitter.com/Z8eduxfu3C
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) May 17, 2020


conservativehome--2020-05-17--WATCH: Hancock’s an “energetic and determined Health Secretary”, says Gove

`` It 's more evidence that we have in Matt an energetic and determined health secretary who 's throwing everything @ @ @ @ @ .
`` @ michaelgove says the govt has hired 17,000 of the 18,000 needed for @ @ @ @ @ Ridge : https : //t.co/thuM7l8HDr pic.twitter.com/2fNBd3X1ap

"It's more evidence that we have in Matt an energetic and determined health secretary who's throwing everything into the fight against coronavirus."@michaelgove says the govt has hired 17,000 of the 18,000 needed for its contact tracing scheme.#Ridge: https://t.co/thuM7l8HDr pic.twitter.com/2fNBd3X1ap
— Sophy Ridge on Sunday & The Take (@RidgeOnSunday) May 17, 2020


conservativehome--2020-05-17--WATCH: Fox – “The Chinese Communist Party is doing what most totalitarian states do”

`` If China had taken action earlier , then the number of cases would have been reduced by 65-95 % @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese Communist party of 'repression and denial ' over the # coronavirus outbreak.
# @ @ @ @ @ pic.twitter.com/7IrodMrPHv

"If China had taken action earlier, then the number of cases would have been reduced by 65-95%."@LiamFox accuses the Chinese Communist party of 'repression and denial' over the #coronavirus outbreak.#Ridge: https://t.co/thuM7l8HDr pic.twitter.com/7IrodMrPHv
— Sophy Ridge on Sunday & The Take (@RidgeOnSunday) May 17, 2020


conservativehome--2020-05-17--School closures, Labour, teaching unions – and why Starmer himself should be in the dock

Any new Labour leader was bound to be a step up from Jeremy Corbyn , and even his worst enemy should concede that Keir Starmer is many leaps better .
Circumstances also help him .
The next election is at least four years away .
At the moment , there are no local elections , because of the Coronavirus .
So his leadership can ’ t be tested at the polls .
A further effect of the virus is to put the Government in the dock .
Which puts the former Director of Public Prosecutions in his element .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a courtroom .
But the chamber won ’ t always be empty , elections must come , and the Coronavirus won ’ t be with us permanently – at least at present levels , or so we must trust .
When that time arrives , Starmer will himself necessarily be in the dock , and may not find the going so easy .
As the row about the National Education Union and the re-opening of schools indicates .
Let ’ s suppose for a moment that the Union isn ’ t driven by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of the relatively small proportion of its members who vote ( 2,270 cast a ballot in a recent election out of a declared total of 450,000 members ) – especially with an election for a single general secretary coming down the tracks – and by the links of some of its senior members with Labour .
Were this so , one would expect it to at least engage with the Government , and advise its members to talk to their schools ’ management , about returning to school to do the jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on June 1 .
It is refusing to do so .
Instead , it has drawn up five tests .
Gordon Brown ’ s original of that number , which applied to Britain joining the Euro , were designed never to be met .
It may be the same with these .
David Blunkett says that the NEU is “ working against the interests of children ” in taking this stance .
Even Barry Sheerman , a former Labour Chairman of the Education Select Committee , has had enough : he is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance and “ there are safe ways to re-open ” .
The National Association of Head Teachers has issued guidance to its members about planning for this circumstance .
So what ’ s Labour ’ s position ?
It isn ’ t to urge the NEU to drop its boycott on engagement .
Rather , it ’ s to call on the Government to drop its provisional June 1 re-opening date – a consequence of Labour ’ s support for negotiations with the union on the basis of the tests that it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman who has tweeted this position is none other than Rebecca Long-Bailey , the Corbynite candidate in the leadership election that Starmer won .
Frankly , it says something about the priority he gives to the subject that he ’ s despatched his recent rival , who might have won the contest herself were she any good , to take charge of it for Labour .
Meanwhile , as Blunkett argues , it is the most deprived children who are losing out most from the continued closure of schools .
Gavin Williamson yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pitch on this point – praising teachers for their work and setting out the safety provisions he wants to put in place .
The Education Secretary pointed out that pupils in early years and the pre-GCSE year – those that the Government wants back in schools earliest – are those who risk falling furthest behind if schools remain closed .
He went on to say that schools should reduce class sizes ; impose a strict hand-washing and cleaning routine , call in tests at once if there ’ s suspicion of infection…and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t set in stone anyway .
Some schools will re-open at the start of next month if the Government decides to proceed then , whatever the NEU may say about it ( and many teachers will be yearning to get back to work ) .
Much will depend in that circumstance on whether parents decide to send children back to school or not .
Since the risk of catching the virus can ’ t be elimated altogether , there are two broad ways forward for Britain – as there are for every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept that almost a quarter of our workforce , even now , is unable to work from home and has carried on at the workplace .
Much of the division is taking place on a class basis : factory workers , home deliverers , shop keepers , warehouse workers , postmen , nurses , train drivers , soldiers – all these can ’ t usually work from home .
Accountants , lawyers , managers and , yes , journalists are mostly in a different position .
The longer the lockdown goes on in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks truly becoming two nations .
The first consists of relatively comfortable middle class workers , often furloughed , living out the lockdown in better accomodation , often with gardens .
The second is of people in less spacious housing , often in flats with no gardens at all , who have no choice but to travel to work .
These will tend to be the working class .
We understand why parts of the left like this set-up – see their # KeepTheLockdown twitter tag .
After all , the lockdown is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialism in action .
Capitalism can ’ t function properly .
The taxpayer pays people not to work .
One has to queue at the shops .
In practice , the workers who lose out .
And it ’ s all ultimately unsustainable .
Is this the future Starmer wants – or at least is prepared to concede to the unions , if they insist on it ?

Any new Labour leader was bound to be a step up from Jeremy Corbyn, and even his worst enemy should concede that Keir Starmer is many leaps better. Circumstances also help him.
The next election is at least four years away. At the moment, there are no local elections, because of the Coronavirus. So his leadership can’t be tested at the polls.
A further effect of the virus is to put the Government in the dock. Which puts the former Director of Public Prosecutions in his element. And the near-empty Commons has the character of a courtroom.
But the chamber won’t always be empty, elections must come, and the Coronavirus won’t be with us permanently – at least at present levels, or so we must trust.
When that time arrives, Starmer will himself necessarily be in the dock, and may not find the going so easy. As the row about the National Education Union and the re-opening of schools indicates.
Let’s suppose for a moment that the Union isn’t driven by left-wing ideology; by competition for the support of the relatively small proportion of its members who vote (2,270 cast a ballot in a recent election out of a declared total of 450,000 members) – especially with an election for a single general secretary coming down the tracks – and by the links of some of its senior members with Labour.
Were this so, one would expect it to at least engage with the Government, and advise its members to talk to their schools’ management, about returning to school to do the jobs they’re paid for, beginning on June 1. It is refusing to do so. Instead, it has drawn up five tests. Gordon Brown’s original of that number, which applied to Britain joining the Euro, were designed never to be met. It may be the same with these.
David Blunkett says that the NEU is “working against the interests of children” in taking this stance. Even Barry Sheerman, a former Labour Chairman of the Education Select Committee, has had enough: he is “very unhappy” with the unions’ performance and “there are safe ways to re-open”. The National Association of Head Teachers has issued guidance to its members about planning for this circumstance. So what’s Labour’s position?
It isn’t to urge the NEU to drop its boycott on engagement. Rather, it’s to call on the Government to drop its provisional June 1 re-opening date – a consequence of Labour’s support for negotiations with the union on the basis of the tests that it has “helpfully set out”. The spokesman who has tweeted this position is none other than Rebecca Long-Bailey, the Corbynite candidate in the leadership election that Starmer won.
Frankly, it says something about the priority he gives to the subject that he’s despatched his recent rival, who might have won the contest herself were she any good, to take charge of it for Labour.
Meanwhile, as Blunkett argues, it is the most deprived children who are losing out most from the continued closure of schools.
Gavin Williamson yesterday turned the daily Government press conference into a pitch on this point – praising teachers for their work and setting out the safety provisions he wants to put in place.
The Education Secretary pointed out that pupils in early years and the pre-GCSE year – those that the Government wants back in schools earliest – are those who risk falling furthest behind if schools remain closed.
He went on to say that schools should reduce class sizes; impose a strict hand-washing and cleaning routine, call in tests at once if there’s suspicion of infection…and add that the June 1 date isn’t set in stone anyway.
Some schools will re-open at the start of next month if the Government decides to proceed then, whatever the NEU may say about it (and many teachers will be yearning to get back to work). Much will depend in that circumstance on whether parents decide to send children back to school or not. Since the risk of catching the virus can’t be elimated altogether, there are two broad ways forward for Britain – as there are for every other country.
The first is to accept that almost a quarter of our workforce, even now, is unable to work from home and has carried on at the workplace. Much of the division is taking place on a class basis: factory workers, home deliverers, shop keepers, warehouse workers, postmen, nurses, train drivers, soldiers – all these can’t usually work from home. Accountants, lawyers, managers and, yes, journalists are mostly in a different position.
The longer the lockdown goes on in its present form, the more Britain risks truly becoming two nations. The first consists of relatively comfortable middle class workers, often furloughed, living out the lockdown in better accomodation, often with gardens.
The second is of people in less spacious housing, often in flats with no gardens at all, who have no choice but to travel to work. These will tend to be the working class.
We understand why parts of the left like this set-up – see their #KeepTheLockdown twitter tag. After all, the lockdown is, from one point of view, socialism in action. Capitalism can’t function properly. The taxpayer pays people not to work. One has to queue at the shops. In practice, the workers who lose out. And it’s all ultimately unsustainable. Is this the future Starmer wants – or at least is prepared to concede to the unions, if they insist on it?


Coronavirus Count


Coronavirus Count

Total number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 246,406 ( Up from 243,303 ) .
Total number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 34,796 ( Up from 34,636 ) .
Daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases:2,684 ( Down from 3,142 ) .
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 160 ( Down from 170 ) .
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 From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK has been raised to high ” – From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
OUR PLAN TO REBUILD : THE UK GOVERNMENT ’ S COVID-19 RECOVERY STRATEGY See here .
New as of Monday May 11 .
GUIDANCE : FURTHER BUSINESSES AND PREMISES TO CLOSE See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
HOW EVERYONE CAN HELP STOP THE CORONAVIRUS ( SOCIAL DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
STAY AT HOME IF YOU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 See here .
Published on Friday March 20 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 not necessarily mean you have the illness .
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common , such as cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) 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 .
Updated as of 19.00 on Monday May 18th . )