theweekuk--2020-09-22--Instant Opinion: Keir Starmer’s ‘most effective sound is silence’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
Stephen Bush in the New Statesman For Keir Starmer , the most effective sound is silence “ In opposition , policy proposals are at the most useful when they signal something about the opposition – its radicalism , or lack thereof , where it stands on essential issues , and so on – and nearer an election or at times of crisis ( a slew of policy proposals by Jeremy Corbyn in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factor around the inner circle that helped keep them going into the unexpected summer election , while David Cameron ’ s pledge to cut inheritance tax helped prevent a snap election the Conservatives might have lost in 2007 ) .
It ’ s in Starmer ’ s interests to keep his powder dry and to announce policy proposals later in the parliament.
” Cheer up - it won ’ t be as bad as last time “ How will we manage another six months ?
Because we must .
At least .
Leafing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a story about all the new crackdowns on the horizon under the headline ‘ Pubs In Last Chance Saloon ’ .
When even our pubs are in pubs , you know we ’ re in trouble .
Before lunch Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance were on the telly , just like old times .
It felt a bit odd to see them both up there without Boris Johnson in the middle ; as though the other two from Destiny ’ s Child had tried a reunion gig on Beyonce ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same , how to put on a show .
Graphs , numbers , predictions , dance routines .
Britain is on the turn.
” Mitch McConnell is going to turn me into a socialist “ The Senate Majority Leader wasted almost no time in announcing that he would try to push through a new justice on the Supreme Court less than two months before an election .
He does n't care about the blatant hypocrisy , does n't care about the political upheaval he 's creating in a country already on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a racial reckoning - it seems he only cares about maintaining conservative power in the court .
It matters not that he robbed Obama of an opportunity to appoint a new justice - nearly nine months before the 2016 election - after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia and supposedly set a new standard of not allowing the Senate to fill an empty Supreme Court seat before an election .
And there 's every reason to believe nearly every Republican senator will go along with McConnell 's plan , because all they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much it tears the country asunder .
Their willfulness simply ca n't stand.
” on getting ahead of oneself There ’ s one sure way that Yes could blow the fight for independence “ When it comes to even moderate supporters on both sides of the constitutional divide , nationalist voices brim with expectant confidence , and unionist voices sound beat .
The gods favour Yes ; the tide of history has turned against unionism .
It ’ s all a little premature , too prideful , on the independence side ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unionist side .
Both camps need a dose of the old-fashioned wisdom our grandmothers taught us .
Yes voters should remember pride comes before a fall – and No voters should find a backbone .
This mood is built on a series of recent polls showing support for Yes in a majority somewhere between 53-55 % .
If polls have taught us anything in recent years , though , it ’ s that they can ’ t be trusted .
Neither side can assume defeat or victory.
” The end of the Saudi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anniversary of the state-sponsored assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi , Saudi Arabia continues its retreat , losing direction and influence in the Gulf and Middle East regions .
More than 50 years after the Saudi kingdom began its rise to regional and international prominence as the leading member of OPEC and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC ) , it now finds itself on a path of steady decline .
Home to Islam 's holiest sites and to the world 's second-largest oil reserves , Saudi Arabia 's misguided policies are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has accumulated over the years .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Stephen Bush in the New Statesman
on taking a back seat
For Keir Starmer, the most effective sound is silence
“In opposition, policy proposals are at the most useful when they signal something about the opposition – its radicalism, or lack thereof, where it stands on essential issues, and so on – and nearer an election or at times of crisis (a slew of policy proposals by Jeremy Corbyn in the Easter of 2017 put a feel good factor around the inner circle that helped keep them going into the unexpected summer election, while David Cameron’s pledge to cut inheritance tax helped prevent a snap election the Conservatives might have lost in 2007). It’s in Starmer’s interests to keep his powder dry and to announce policy proposals later in the parliament.”
2. Hugo Rifkind in The Times
on surviving another lockdown
Cheer up - it won’t be as bad as last time
“How will we manage another six months? Because we must. At least. Leafing through another newspaper yesterday, I saw a story about all the new crackdowns on the horizon under the headline ‘Pubs In Last Chance Saloon’. When even our pubs are in pubs, you know we’re in trouble. Before lunch Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance were on the telly, just like old times. It felt a bit odd to see them both up there without Boris Johnson in the middle; as though the other two from Destiny’s Child had tried a reunion gig on Beyonce’s day off. They know, all the same, how to put on a show. Graphs, numbers, predictions, dance routines. Britain is on the turn.”
3. Issac Bailey on CNN
on Republican hypocrisy
Mitch McConnell is going to turn me into a socialist
“The Senate Majority Leader wasted almost no time in announcing that he would try to push through a new justice on the Supreme Court less than two months before an election. He doesn't care about the blatant hypocrisy, doesn't care about the political upheaval he's creating in a country already on an emotional knife's edge during a pandemic and a racial reckoning - it seems he only cares about maintaining conservative power in the court. It matters not that he robbed Obama of an opportunity to appoint a new justice - nearly nine months before the 2016 election - after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia and supposedly set a new standard of not allowing the Senate to fill an empty Supreme Court seat before an election. And there's every reason to believe nearly every Republican senator will go along with McConnell's plan, because all they care about is maintaining power no matter how much it tears the country asunder. Their willfulness simply can't stand.”
4. Neil Mackay in the Herald Scotland
on getting ahead of oneself
There’s one sure way that Yes could blow the fight for independence
“When it comes to even moderate supporters on both sides of the constitutional divide, nationalist voices brim with expectant confidence, and unionist voices sound beat. The gods favour Yes; the tide of history has turned against unionism. It’s all a little premature, too prideful, on the independence side; and a little too pathetic on the unionist side. Both camps need a dose of the old-fashioned wisdom our grandmothers taught us. Yes voters should remember pride comes before a fall – and No voters should find a backbone. This mood is built on a series of recent polls showing support for Yes in a majority somewhere between 53-55%. If polls have taught us anything in recent years, though, it’s that they can’t be trusted. Neither side can assume defeat or victory.”
5. Marwan Bishara in Al Jazeera
on the Middle Eastern political landscape
The end of the Saudi era
“As we approach the second anniversary of the state-sponsored assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia continues its retreat, losing direction and influence in the Gulf and Middle East regions. More than 50 years after the Saudi kingdom began its rise to regional and international prominence as the leading member of OPEC and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), it now finds itself on a path of steady decline. Home to Islam's holiest sites and to the world's second-largest oil reserves, Saudi Arabia's misguided policies are wasting the religious and financial clout it has accumulated over the years.”


theweekuk--2020-09-22--Football’s financial crisis: game is ‘unsustainable’ without fans

Clubs from all levels of the English football pyramid are facing a financial crisis after the government postponed its plan for fans to return to sports stadiums in October.
It had previously been hoped that a limited number of supporters would be allowed back into grounds next month as part of a pilot scheme. However, following a surge in coronavirus cases Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove told BBC Breakfast that the plan has now been called off.
Speaking in the Commons today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that sports fans in England will not yet be allowed back into live events.
He said: “We have to acknowledge the spread of the virus is now affecting our ability to reopen large sporting events.
“We will not be able to do this from 1 October and I recognise the implications for our sports clubs, which are the life and soul of our communities. The chancellor and the culture secretary are working urgently on what we can do now to support them.”
Johnson also said the measures being announced would remain in place for “perhaps six months”, the Independent reports.
‘Devastating impact’
In reaction to the news, the Premier League said it was “disappointed” and warned that a lack of fans in stadiums is having a “devastating” financial impact for clubs across the country.
Premier League teams suffered £700m in losses last season and the league says the national game is losing more than £100m per month.
“The Premier League notes the government’s announcement today and while the health of the nation must remain everyone’s priority, we are disappointed that the safe return of supporters to matches has been postponed,” the statement read.
“The Premier League is certain that, through league-wide guidelines and a code of conduct developed with scientific experts and agreed by the government’s Sports Ground Safety Authority, fans in stadiums will be as safe or even safer than at any other public activity currently permitted. This is already evident in other European leagues.
“Football is not the same without attending fans and the football economy is unsustainable without them. Last season, Premier League clubs suffered £700m in losses and at present, our national game is losing more than £100m per month. This is starting to have a devastating impact on clubs and their communities.”
‘Real issues’ in non-league football
England’s football pyramid is “crumbling” below the Premier League, Football365 reports. And at non-league level clubs face going bust if fans are not allowed back.


theweekuk--2020-09-22--BLM: almost 100 National Trust properties linked to slavery and colonialism

At least 93 properties under the management of the National Trust ( NT ) have links to slavery and colonialism , the conservation charity has revealed .
The full “ list of shame ” has been published in a new report on the findings of a review launched in June amid Black Lives Matter protests across the world .
Dr Corinne Fowler , who led the project , says that visitors to NT sites “ will be increasingly confronted with uncomfortable truths at Britain ’ s historic properties ” , while “ staff and volunteers will be urged to educate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has propped up many heritage sites ” .
Sites on the list include Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire , which was “ built using family wealth related to slavery ” , and Bath Assembly Rooms , which was “ connected to the wider colonial and slavery economies of the 18th century ” , the BBC reports .
Powis Castle in Wales , the former home of Robert Clive - aka Clive of India - also features .
Clive helped establish British rule in India and “ was a vicious asset-stripper ” , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winston Churchill ’ s Chartwell residence in Kent is included too , owing to the former prime minister ’ s “ role in the Bengal famine and his opposition to Indian independence ” , says The Telegraph .
Among the other properties on the list are Bateman ’ s , the former home of writer Rudyard Kipling , who was an “ influential apologist for imperialism ” , adds Reuters .
NT members have “ threatened to cancel their membership ” in response to the list , adding that historians have accused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports the Daily Mail .
“ Critics have accused the ‘ out of touch ’ trust of ‘ woke virtue signalling ’ and ‘ alienating ’ fee-paying members who say the organisation is simply jumping on the Black Lives Matter bandwagon , ” the newspaper adds .

At least 93 properties under the management of the National Trust (NT) have links to slavery and colonialism, the conservation charity has revealed.
The full “list of shame” has been published in a new report on the findings of a review launched in June amid Black Lives Matter protests across the world.
Dr Corinne Fowler, who led the project, says that visitors to NT sites “will be increasingly confronted with uncomfortable truths at Britain’s historic properties”, while “staff and volunteers will be urged to educate the public about the imperial exploitation which has propped up many heritage sites”.
Sites on the list include Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire, which was “built using family wealth related to slavery”, and Bath Assembly Rooms, which was “connected to the wider colonial and slavery economies of the 18th century”, the BBC reports.
Powis Castle in Wales, the former home of Robert Clive - aka Clive of India - also features. Clive helped establish British rule in India and “was a vicious asset-stripper”, according to historian and author William Dalrymple.
Winston Churchill’s Chartwell residence in Kent is included too, owing to the former prime minister’s “role in the Bengal famine and his opposition to Indian independence”, says The Telegraph.
Among the other properties on the list are Bateman’s, the former home of writer Rudyard Kipling, who was an “influential apologist for imperialism”, adds Reuters.
NT members have “threatened to cancel their membership” in response to the list, adding that historians have accused the trust of being “unfair”, reports the Daily Mail.
“Critics have accused the ‘out of touch’ trust of ‘woke virtue signalling’ and ‘alienating’ fee-paying members who say the organisation is simply jumping on the Black Lives Matter bandwagon,” the newspaper adds.


theweekuk--2020-09-22--‘Operation Red Wall’: how Keir Starmer could win back Labour’s heartlands

Keir Starmer has used his first party conference address as leader to set out Labour ’ s stall as a “ competent , credible ” opposition to the Conservatives - in a clear bid to win back lost “ red wall ” strongholds .
In a message targeted at Labour ’ s former working-class supporters , Starmer said his party had deserved to lose last year ’ s election , adding : “ You don ’ t look at the electorate and ask them , ‘ What were you thinking ?
You look at yourself and ask : ‘ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starmer has made regaining the so-called red wall a key tenant in rebuilding the party ’ s electoral credibility .
So what might that involve - and what is the Labour boss doing already ?
“ Significant sections ” of today ’ s speech at the virtual conference “ sought to recast Starmer as a different leader to Corbyn ” , says The Guardian .
Starmer referenced his efforts to stamp out alleged anti-Semitism within his party - allegations that blighted Corbyn ’ s leadership - while also making “ repeated references to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Independent agrees that his speech sought to “ draw a clear line under the recent past ” , with Starmer telling voters : “ We love this country as you do.
” In a thinly veiled reference to Corbyn ’ s unpopular stances on national security and spending , Starmer also said that “ never again will Labour go into an election not being trusted on national security , with your job , with your community and with your money ” .
Underlining this message , he added : “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour .
We ’ re under new leadership.
” The adult in the room Starmer ’ s leadership so far has been characterised by an air of professionalism - and it is paying dividends .
The New Statesman reports that polling shows “ more Brits now view Labour as competent and capable ” than under Corbyn , while “ a notable trend for Labour since Starmer became leader has been a steady drop in the number of voters with an unfavourable opinion about the party ” .
“ In the run-up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewed Labour negatively .
That has now fallen to 39 % , ” the magazine says .
If Starmer is going to win over Labour ’ s ex-supporters , he will need to defeat the man who won their vote in December .
And while Starmer ’ s catchphrase has previously been “ constructive opposition ” , he used his conference speech to deconstruct the prime minister ’ s weaknesses .
Times Radio chief political commentator Tom Newton Dunn tweets that Starmer hit Boris Johnson with an “ absolutely brutal personal attack… Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but studs in on his character too.
” The Labour leader said that his opposite number was “ not serious ” and “ just not up to the job ” , adding : “ Whenever he encounters a problem , Johnson responds either by wishing it away or by lashing out.
” Emphasising his own competence , Starmer continued : “ While Boris Johnson was writing flippant columns about bendy bananas , I was defending victims and prosecuting terrorists .
While he was being sacked by a newspaper for making up quotes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule of law.
” Starmer ’ s campaign to become Labour leader is only briefly mentioned in a recently released memoir about Corbyn , Left Out .
But the book , written by The Times journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund , does describe one of Starmer ’ s first allies : Morgan McSweeney , director of the campaign group Labour Together .
“ Nobody understood Labour ’ s membership as well as [ McSweeney ] , ” they write , adding that the spin doctor would go on to use detailed polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to win a Labour membership that few understood ” .
Judging by his conference speech , delivered at an arts centre in Doncaster , Starmer now appears to have adapted that plan to win back former Labour supporters .
He asked “ those people in Doncaster and Deeside , in Glasgow and Grimsby , in Stoke and in Stevenage ... those who have turned away from the party ” to “ take another look at Labour ” , adding : “ We hear you.
” “ We ’ re not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single speech or clever policy offer .
Trust takes time.
” Britain ’ s decision to quit the EU has posed problems for both Corbyn and Starmer .
During the party ’ s post-election post-mortem , Corbyn told MPs that while he was “ very sorry for the result , for which I take responsibility ” , the devastating defeat was “ ultimately about Brexit ” .
Starmer made only a “ relatively brief ” reference to Brexit in his conference speech , saying that the Leave or Remain debate was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an indication of his discomfort about the issue .
Agreeing a policy position on leaving the EU tore Labour apart prior to the election , while Johnson ’ s “ get Brexit done ” slogan was credited with helping to secure victory for the Tories .
By contrast , Starmer has rarely spoken about Brexit since winning the Labour leadership .
And that , says Politico , is because while “ he doesn ’ t like Brexit ” , Starmer “ will have to go along with it ” if he is to @ @ @ @ @

Keir Starmer has used his first party conference address as leader to set out Labour’s stall as a “competent, credible” opposition to the Conservatives - in a clear bid to win back lost “red wall” strongholds.
In a message targeted at Labour’s former working-class supporters, Starmer said his party had deserved to lose last year’s election, adding: “You don’t look at the electorate and ask them, ‘What were you thinking? You look at yourself and ask: ‘What were we doing?’”
Team Starmer has made regaining the so-called red wall a key tenant in rebuilding the party’s electoral credibility. So what might that involve - and what is the Labour boss doing already?
Casting off Corbynism
“Significant sections” of today’s speech at the virtual conference “sought to recast Starmer as a different leader to Corbyn”, says The Guardian.
Starmer referenced his efforts to stamp out alleged anti-Semitism within his party - allegations that blighted Corbyn’s leadership - while also making “repeated references to his patriotism”, the newspaper adds.
The Independent agrees that his speech sought to “draw a clear line under the recent past”, with Starmer telling voters: “We love this country as you do.”
In a thinly veiled reference to Corbyn’s unpopular stances on national security and spending, Starmer also said that “never again will Labour go into an election not being trusted on national security, with your job, with your community and with your money”.
Underlining this message, he added: “I ask you: take another look at Labour. We’re under new leadership.”
The adult in the room
Starmer’s leadership so far has been characterised by an air of professionalism - and it is paying dividends.
The New Statesman reports that polling shows “more Brits now view Labour as competent and capable” than under Corbyn, while “a notable trend for Labour since Starmer became leader has been a steady drop in the number of voters with an unfavourable opinion about the party”.
“In the run-up to the 2019 election, nearly half of Brits viewed Labour negatively. That has now fallen to 39%,” the magazine says.
Rattling Johnson’s cage
If Starmer is going to win over Labour’s ex-supporters, he will need to defeat the man who won their vote in December. And while Starmer’s catchphrase has previously been “constructive opposition”, he used his conference speech to deconstruct the prime minister’s weaknesses.
Times Radio chief political commentator Tom Newton Dunn tweets that Starmer hit Boris Johnson with an “absolutely brutal personal attack… Not just going for him over competence, but studs in on his character too.”


theweekuk--2020-09-22--Did NHS 111 fail coronavirus patients in the early days of pandemic?

Families of people who died from Covid-19 are demanding an inquiry into the NHS ’ s non-emergency 111 phoneline amid allegations that seriously ill callers were given incorrect advice during the peak of the pandemic .
The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice , which represents almost 2,000 people , claims many callers also struggled to get through to the health support service .
The group has won widespread support after setting up an online petition calling for an independent investigation into the UK government ’ s handling of the pandemic .
What are the allegations ?
Although not explicitly aiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bereaved families group says that “ approximately a fifth of its 1,800 members – more than 350 people – believe the 111 service failed to recognise how seriously ill their relatives were and direct them to appropriate care ” , The Guardian reports .
Contactibility was a key issue , the newspaper adds , with many families saying they had trouble “ even getting through to the 111 phone line , the designated first step , alongside 111 online , for people concerned they may have Covid-19 ” .
In a report released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 38.7 % of calls made to 111 in March were abandoned after waits of longer than 30 seconds for a response , compared with just 2.4 % in March 2019 .
And of the calls that did get through to the service , 30.2 % were answered within 60 seconds - down from 85 % year-on-year .
Royal College of Emergency Medicine vice-president Adrian Boyle , a hospital consultant , told The Guardian that NHS 111 not being sufficiently “ equipped ” to cope in the early days of the crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 111 in England in March , more than double the same period in 2019 .
Some families who got through to the phoneline say call handlers “ worked through fixed scripts and asked for yes or no answers , which led to their relatives being told they were not in need of medical care ” , the paper adds .
Campaigner Jo Goodman - whose father , Stuart , died from coronavirus in April at the age of 72 - claims that “ despite having very severe symptoms including skin discolouration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inability to eat and breathlessness ... this was not considered sufficient to be admitted to hospital or have an ambulance sent out.
” See no evil , hear no evil The group ’ s website says that the campaign “ isn ’ t about a blame game , so we don ’ t know why the government has refused to meet with us ” .
The BBC reports that in early September , after a fouth rejection from No .
10 , the group wrote to Boris Johnson for a fifth time asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters about the request , the prime minister said he would “ of course ” meet anyone bereaved by Covid-19 .
However , days later he told the group that he was “ unable ” to do so , in a letter that has since been made public .
Group co-founder Goodman describes the U-turn as “ devastating ” , adding : “ The prime minister has done a 360 - dodging five letters , then agreeing on live TV to meet with us , and now quietly telling us he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Will an inquiry be held ?
Back in July , Johnson committed to an “ independent inquiry ” into the coronavirus pandemic at some point “ in the future ” .
No further details have been announced as yet .
A report published by the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee last week urged the PM to ensure the inquiry is ready to begin in January .
The committee also said that any investigation should be headed by a “ visibly impartial ” figure who is “ appointed through a process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ description of the role should be published , including the skills and experience required , and the preferred candidate subject to a hearing before the relevant select committee before assuming the role , ” they added .
If you think you are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus , the government ’ s full guidance on next steps can be found here .

Families of people who died from Covid-19 are demanding an inquiry into the NHS’s non-emergency 111 phoneline amid allegations that seriously ill callers were given incorrect advice during the peak of the pandemic.
The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, which represents almost 2,000 people, claims many callers also struggled to get through to the health support service. The group has won widespread support after setting up an online petition calling for an independent investigation into the UK government’s handling of the pandemic.
What are the allegations?
Although not explicitly aiming its criticism at the NHS, the bereaved families group says that “approximately a fifth of its 1,800 members – more than 350 people – believe the 111 service failed to recognise how seriously ill their relatives were and direct them to appropriate care”, The Guardian reports.
Contactibility was a key issue, the newspaper adds, with many families saying they had trouble “even getting through to the 111 phone line, the designated first step, alongside 111 online, for people concerned they may have Covid-19”.
In a report released in April, the health service revealed that 38.7% of calls made to 111 in March were abandoned after waits of longer than 30 seconds for a response, compared with just 2.4% in March 2019. And of the calls that did get through to the service, 30.2% were answered within 60 seconds - down from 85% year-on-year.
Royal College of Emergency Medicine vice-president Adrian Boyle, a hospital consultant, told The Guardian that NHS 111 not being sufficiently “equipped” to cope in the early days of the crisis.
A total of 2,962,751 calls were made to 111 in England in March, more than double the same period in 2019.
Some families who got through to the phoneline say call handlers “worked through fixed scripts and asked for yes or no answers, which led to their relatives being told they were not in need of medical care”, the paper adds.
Campaigner Jo Goodman - whose father, Stuart, died from coronavirus in April at the age of 72 - claims that “despite having very severe symptoms including skin discolouration, fainting, total lack of energy, inability to eat and breathlessness... this was not considered sufficient to be admitted to hospital or have an ambulance sent out.”
See no evil, hear no evil
The group’s website says that the campaign “isn’t about a blame game, so we don’t know why the government has refused to meet with us”.
The BBC reports that in early September, after a fouth rejection from No. 10, the group wrote to Boris Johnson for a fifth time asking to meet him. When quizzed by reporters about the request, the prime minister said he would “of course” meet anyone bereaved by Covid-19.
However, days later he told the group that he was “unable” to do so, in a letter that has since been made public.
Group co-founder Goodman describes the U-turn as “devastating”, adding: “The prime minister has done a 360 - dodging five letters, then agreeing on live TV to meet with us, and now quietly telling us he’s too busy. It’s heartless.”
Will an inquiry be held?
Back in July, Johnson committed to an “independent inquiry” into the coronavirus pandemic at some point “in the future”. No further details have been announced as yet.
A report published by the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee last week urged the PM to ensure the inquiry is ready to begin in January.
The committee also said that any investigation should be headed by a “visibly impartial” figure who is “appointed through a process that is transparent”.
“The description of the role should be published, including the skills and experience required, and the preferred candidate subject to a hearing before the relevant select committee before assuming the role,” they added.
If you think you are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, the government’s full guidance on next steps can be found here.


theweekuk--2020-09-23--Barbados plan to drop Queen as head of state ‘driven by Chinese interference’, MP claims

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Chinese pressure has driven Barbados to call for the removal of the Queen as its head of state, a Conservative MP has claimed.
Tom Tugendhat, chairperson of the foreign affairs committee, says “Beijing had actively sought to undermine London’s historical status as a key partner with Caribbean nations”, The Times reports.
While declining to reveal details of how China had sought to influence the Caribbean island, Tugendhat told the paper: “China has been using infrastructure investment and debt diplomacy as a means of control for a while and it’s coming closer to home for us.
“British partners have long faced challenges from rivals seeking to undermine our alliance. Today we’re seeing it in the Caribbean. Some islands seem to be close to swapping a symbolic Queen in Windsor for a real and demanding emperor in Beijing.”
A source told the paper that CIA intelligence about China’s influence over the tiny Caribbean island has been passed to Britain.
Relations between Barbados and China have strengthened in recent years, with the former joining Beijing’s Chinese Belt and Road initiative in 2019. Last year, the Asian superpower also donated “technology equipment including laptops and tablets and in 2017 Beijing gave teaching equipment to the island’s schools”, the Daily Express says.
Tugendhat’s comments came after Dame Sandra Mason, the Barbados governor-general, announced last week that the island would remove the Queen as its ceremonial head.
Mason said that Barbadians wanted a Barbadian head of state for the island which gained independence in 1966, adding: “The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind.”


theweekuk--2020-09-23--F1 history in the making: Lewis Hamilton has Michael Schumacher in his sights

Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton admits it “ doesn ’ t seem real ” that he ’ s one victory away from equalling Michael Schumacher ’ s all-time race win record .
After winning the Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello on 13 September Hamilton heads into this weekend ’ s Russian GP knowing that victory in Sochi would see him go level with Schumacher ’ s tally of 91 .
Speaking at Mugello , Hamilton told Sky Sports : “ It just doesn ’ t seem real .
Obviously it ’ s ultimately a privilege to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team and a car to be able to deliver weekend in , weekend out .
“ But I just feel forever grateful to the people that continue to work hard , I ’ m just a link in the chain but getting the wins is not easy when you have a great driver in Valtteri [ Bottas ] pushing you the limit , weekend in , weekend out .
“ I never thought that I would be here , that ’ s for sure.
” The win in Tuscany saw the British ace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 drivers ’ standings .
He now has 190 points from nine races and is 55 points clear of Mercedes team-mate Bottas who is in second .
Schumacher also holds the record for the most F1 world championships - seven - but Hamilton is just one behind that tally with six .
In the nine races so far in 2020 Hamilton has taken the chequered flag six times and he ’ s looking unstoppable in his march towards world championship No.7 .
For now though the focus is on Russia .
Schumacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 19 years and it ’ s often been described as “ unmatchable ” , says Sky Sports , but Hamilton has it in his sights .
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has revealed that the Netflix film crew will follow the team in Russia to capture footage for the next series of Formula 1 : Drive to Survive .
Although Netflix could be on hand to witness a big celebration for Hamilton and Mercedes , Wolff says the team are staying humble ahead of this weekend , Driving.co.uk reports .
Wolff said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you need to be able to let things happen and , certainly , who would have ever imagined that somebody is going to break that record of 91 wins .
“ If that were the case , I ’ m sure we are going to come up with some creative ideas [ to celebrate ] .
”

Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton admits it “doesn’t seem real” that he’s one victory away from equalling Michael Schumacher’s all-time race win record.
After winning the Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello on 13 September Hamilton heads into this weekend’s Russian GP knowing that victory in Sochi would see him go level with Schumacher’s tally of 91.
Speaking at Mugello, Hamilton told Sky Sports: “It just doesn’t seem real. Obviously it’s ultimately a privilege to be in a position and have such a great team and a car to be able to deliver weekend in, weekend out.
“But I just feel forever grateful to the people that continue to work hard, I’m just a link in the chain but getting the wins is not easy when you have a great driver in Valtteri [Bottas] pushing you the limit, weekend in, weekend out.
“I never thought that I would be here, that’s for sure.”
Racing towards title No.7
The win in Tuscany saw the British ace cement his position at the top of the 2020 drivers’ standings. He now has 190 points from nine races and is 55 points clear of Mercedes team-mate Bottas who is in second.
Schumacher also holds the record for the most F1 world championships - seven - but Hamilton is just one behind that tally with six.
In the nine races so far in 2020 Hamilton has taken the chequered flag six times and he’s looking unstoppable in his march towards world championship No.7. For now though the focus is on Russia.
Schumacher’s race win record has stood for 19 years and it’s often been described as “unmatchable”, says Sky Sports, but Hamilton has it in his sights.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has revealed that the Netflix film crew will follow the team in Russia to capture footage for the next series of Formula 1: Drive to Survive.
Although Netflix could be on hand to witness a big celebration for Hamilton and Mercedes, Wolff says the team are staying humble ahead of this weekend, Driving.co.uk reports.
Wolff said: “We believe very much in karma and you need to be able to let things happen and, certainly, who would have ever imagined that somebody is going to break that record of 91 wins.
“If that were the case, I’m sure we are going to come up with some creative ideas [to celebrate].”
Most grand prix victories in F1
Michael Schumacher 91 Lewis Hamilton 90 Sebastian Vettel 53 Alain Prost 51 Ayrton Senna 41 Fernando Alonso 32 Nigel Mansell 31 Sir Jackie Stewart 27 Jim Clark 25 Niki Lauda 25


theweekuk--2020-09-23--Debate: should British spies be given a ‘licence to kill’?

Spies working on behalf of the British government may effectively be granted a “ licence to kill ” under new laws expected to be unveiled this week , according to reports .
Fresh legislation will grant MI5 - among other security branches - the power to sanction its agents to carry out “ necessary and proportionate ” crimes in the line of duty , The Telegraph says .
Although how far the protection extends will not be known until the legislation is laid before Parliament , an intelligence source told the newspaper there would be “ no limit on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could commit .
So should the UK ’ s supersleuths be granted life or death powers ?
‘ A view to kill ’ : the case for the new law The latest reports come amid “ an ongoing battle over the legal limits of what agents in the Security Service are permitted to do during covert operations ” , The Sun reports The High Court ruled in December that spies operating on behalf of MI5 can kill in the line of duty without being prosecuted if they are able to persuade authorities that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the 3-2 majority ruling , Lord Justice Singh of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal said the spy agency has “ an implied power ” under the Security Service Act 1989 to engage in criminal activity .
James Eadie QC , representing the government , had argued that it would be “ impossible ” for MI5 to operate without covert sources going undercover in terrorist or other extremist groups , the Daily Mail reports .
As the paper notes , maintaining their cover could require agents to “ commit murder , kidnap , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent crimes ” .
The tribunal agreed that banning MI5 from operating agents in criminal organisations “ would strike at the core activities of the Security Service ” .
A Home Office spokesperson added that the “ use of covert agents ” was “ an essential tool for MI5 as it carries out its job of keeping the country safe ” .
The government now “ wants to ensure the implied power is turned into the legal protection the security service says it needs for undercover missions ” , according to the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation will “ create a legal framework to authorise crime by agents acting on behalf of a variety of public organisations which conduct covert investigations ” , effectively bypassing the need for further court cases .
Downing Street is also aiming to “ help bring all public authorities which make use of undercover sources under the same statutory framework ” , the paper adds .
‘ Die another day ’ : the case against the powers These sorts of protections have been the subject of fierce debate for decades in the UK .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling last year , campaign groups including Privacy International , Reprieve , the Committee on the Administration of Justice and the Pat Finucane Centre said the decision “ went against British law and the European Convention on Human Rights ” , The National reports .
Maya Foa , director of legal charity Reprieve , pointed out that one of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal judges had said the case set “ a dangerous precedent ” .
“ Our security services play a vital role in keeping this country safe , but history has shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proper oversight and common sense limits on what agents can do in the public ’ s name , ” said Foa .
Delivering the divided ruling , Lord Justice Singh also sounded a note of warning .
The existing protections do “ not mean that [ MI5 ] has any power to confer immunity from liability under either the criminal law or the civil law… on either its own officers or on agents handled by them ” .
Spies working for MI6 - Britain ’ s foreign intelligence service - are also protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act 1994 , which offers immunity to spies involved in bugging , bribery , murder , kidnap and torture as long as their actions have been authorised in writing by a secretary of state .
That protection - which is likely to be extended by the expected new legislation - came under “ intense scrutiny ” during a Scotland Yard investigation launched in 2012 into secret rendition operations that MI6 ran in cooperation with Muammar Gaddafi ’ s regime in 2004 , according to The Guardian .
When asked which offences might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source told The Telegraph that “ all covert human intelligence complies with [ the European Convention on Human Rights ] and is necessary and proportionate ” .
MI5 has previously refused to say which crimes could be committed under its internal guidelines , known as the “ third direction ” , claiming that to do so could mean undercover operations were “ seriously frustrated ” .
But the paper warns that this silence will add to human rights groups ’ fears that “ the policy may be used to authorise offences as serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Spies working on behalf of the British government may effectively be granted a “licence to kill” under new laws expected to be unveiled this week, according to reports.
Fresh legislation will grant MI5 - among other security branches - the power to sanction its agents to carry out “necessary and proportionate” crimes in the line of duty, The Telegraph says.
Although how far the protection extends will not be known until the legislation is laid before Parliament, an intelligence source told the newspaper there would be “no limit on the type” of offences that an agent could commit.
So should the UK’s supersleuths be granted life or death powers?
‘A view to kill’: the case for the new law
The latest reports come amid “an ongoing battle over the legal limits of what agents in the Security Service are permitted to do during covert operations”, The Sun reports
The High Court ruled in December that spies operating on behalf of MI5 can kill in the line of duty without being prosecuted if they are able to persuade authorities that it was done in the public interest.
In the 3-2 majority ruling, Lord Justice Singh of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal said the spy agency has “an implied power” under the Security Service Act 1989 to engage in criminal activity.
James Eadie QC, representing the government, had argued that it would be “impossible” for MI5 to operate without covert sources going undercover in terrorist or other extremist groups, the Daily Mail reports. As the paper notes, maintaining their cover could require agents to “commit murder, kidnap, torture or carry out other serious and violent crimes”.
The tribunal agreed that banning MI5 from operating agents in criminal organisations “would strike at the core activities of the Security Service”. A Home Office spokesperson added that the “use of covert agents” was “an essential tool for MI5 as it carries out its job of keeping the country safe”.
The government now “wants to ensure the implied power is turned into the legal protection the security service says it needs for undercover missions”, according to the Daily Star.
The Telegraph reports that new legislation will “create a legal framework to authorise crime by agents acting on behalf of a variety of public organisations which conduct covert investigations”, effectively bypassing the need for further court cases.


theweekuk--2020-09-23--Tesla’s value drops by $50bn after Elon Musk’s ‘Battery Day’ presentation

Tesla is on track to manufacture a new generation of electric vehicle batteries that will be more powerful , cheaper and longer lasting , Elon Musk has announced .
The company founder told shareholders that Tesla ’ s new larger cylindrical cells would provide five times more energy , six times more power and 16 % greater driving range .
Musk unveiled the new technology , which he hailed as a “ massive breakthrough ” , during a live presentation yesterday at his firm ’ s annual “ Battery Day ” event , reports The Independent .
The US tycoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he termed “ an affordable car ” , says the BBC .
But as the broadcaster notes , “ the technology announced is likely to take years to implement ” .
“ We ’ re confident that around three years from now we ’ ll be able to offer a very compelling $ 25,000 vehicle , which is also fully autonomous , ” Musk said , adding that producing affordable EVs “ has always been our dream from the beginning of the company ” .
“ That ’ s something we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued .
“ But we ’ ve got to get the cost of batteries down.
” The socially distanced presentation saw Musk addressing 240 shareholders who were each sitting in a Tesla Model 3 outside of the firm ’ s vehicle plant in Fremont , California .
The meeting also marked the unveiling of a Telsa new car : the Model S Plaid .
The 520-mile range sedan can reach top speeds of up to 200mph and has a price of $ 139,990 ( £110,249 ) .
But while the gathered shareholders “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the various offerings , others were clearly less impressed , Reuters reports .
Investors are said to have expected two significant announcements at Battery Day : the development of a “ million mile ” battery good for ten years or more , and a specific cost-reduction target that would drop the price of EVs below those of gasoline cars .
In the wake of that disappointment , Tesla ’ s stock price fell by almost 7 % yesterday , with the firm ’ s market value slashed by $ 50bn ( £39.3bn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roth Capital Partners analyst Craig Irwin told Reuters that “ nothing Musk discussed about batteries is a done deal .
There was nothing tangible .
”

Tesla is on track to manufacture a new generation of electric vehicle batteries that will be more powerful, cheaper and longer lasting, Elon Musk has announced.
The company founder told shareholders that Tesla’s new larger cylindrical cells would provide five times more energy, six times more power and 16% greater driving range. Musk unveiled the new technology, which he hailed as a “massive breakthrough”, during a live presentation yesterday at his firm’s annual “Battery Day” event, reports The Independent.
The US tycoon also “teased the possibility” of what he termed “an affordable car”, says the BBC. But as the broadcaster notes, “the technology announced is likely to take years to implement”.
“We’re confident that around three years from now we’ll be able to offer a very compelling $25,000 vehicle, which is also fully autonomous,” Musk said, adding that producing affordable EVs “has always been our dream from the beginning of the company”.
“That’s something we will have in the future,” he continued. “But we’ve got to get the cost of batteries down.”
How did investors react?
The socially distanced presentation saw Musk addressing 240 shareholders who were each sitting in a Tesla Model 3 outside of the firm’s vehicle plant in Fremont, California.
The meeting also marked the unveiling of a Telsa new car: the Model S Plaid. The 520-mile range sedan can reach top speeds of up to 200mph and has a price of $139,990 (£110,249).
But while the gathered shareholders “honked their car horns in approval” at the various offerings, others were clearly less impressed, Reuters reports.
Investors are said to have expected two significant announcements at Battery Day: the development of a “million mile” battery good for ten years or more, and a specific cost-reduction target that would drop the price of EVs below those of gasoline cars.
“Musk offered neither,” says the news agency.
In the wake of that disappointment, Tesla’s stock price fell by almost 7% yesterday, with the firm’s market value slashed by $50bn (£39.3bn) by the close of trading.
Roth Capital Partners analyst Craig Irwin told Reuters that “nothing Musk discussed about batteries is a done deal. There was nothing tangible.”


theweekuk--2020-09-23--Allow ‘controlled spread’ of coronavirus among under-60s, Swedish expert to tell Ireland

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theweekuk--2020-09-23--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 23 Sep 2020

Boris Johnson has warned of “ tougher measures ” to come if people do not follow the latest coronavirus restrictions @ @ @ @ @ other hospitality venues will have to close by 10pm , while the number of people @ @ @ @ @ halved .
The BBC describes the new rules , which also include orders to work @ @ @ @ @ as “ the last throw of dice before the really tough call ” of a @ @ @

Boris Johnson unveils new Covid crackdown
Boris Johnson has warned of “tougher measures” to come if people do not follow the latest coronavirus restrictions. Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will have to close by 10pm, while the number of people allowed at weddings has been halved. The BBC describes the new rules, which also include orders to work from home where possible, as “the last throw of dice before the really tough call” of a national lockdown.


theweekuk--2020-09-23--Instant Opinion: Boris Johnson ‘undercooked his Covid plan’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on balancing the economy with health “ At the root of the Covid-19 problem is a simple choice : the crisis won ’ t pass until we either have a successful treatment or vaccine , or natural herd immunity so that if someone gets it they can ’ t really pass it on because such a large proportion of the population are immune .
We must choose .
We can allow the virus to spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly as possible .
Or we can try to hold it off until we get a vaccine or treatment .
The choice may be simple but that doesn ’ t make it an easy one .
We can ’ t know for certain when an adequate treatment or a vaccine will be available .
If we hang on for science to rescue us , holding back the economy and social life , we can ’ t be sure the cavalry will ever arrive .
And at some point we will have to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop after all , with all the deaths that involves , meaning that much of the effort and sacrifice we made was in vain .
Nevertheless , I believe this risk — putting much of our economic and social lives on hold — is still the right one to take.
” on an old conservative trick “ When freedom simply means the absence of the state , there are always trade-offs between liberty and security , individual freedom and public health .
But when we also think of the freedom to eat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to determine your own future , the only trade-offs are between different kinds of freedom , or the freedoms of different groups of people .
Make people freer to mingle and you decrease the real freedom of the old and vulnerable to live their lives in safety .
Give businesses the right to demand their employees go back to their workplaces and you increase their freedom to trade but not the freedom of employees to protect themselves and their families .
Withdraw state support for the furlough scheme and you may cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but leave them penniless and powerless.
” 3 .
Jonathan Portes , p rofessor of economics and public policy at King ’ s College , London in The Independent A no-deal Brexit would be twice as damaging for the UK economy as coronavirus in the long term “ Will Covid-19 mean that we don ’ t notice a no-deal Brexit ?
The continuing effects of the pandemic may mitigate or obscure – politically or economically – the impact of no deal .
Whatever the headline growth figures in early 2021 , it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Brexit .
However , assuming a reasonably strong recovery , and that government policies succeed in avoiding persistent mass unemployment , Brexit is likely to have a more significant impact in the long run .
Our modelling with the London School of Economics of the impact of a no-deal Brexit suggests that the total cost to the UK economy over the longer term will be two to three times as large as that implied by the Bank of England ’ s forecast for the impact of Covid-19 .
No deal will result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barriers on UK exports to the EU .
And the UK will apply the new UK Global Tariff to imports from the EU and other countries with which it does not have a trade deal .
Free movement will also come to an end.
” 4 .
Stella Creasy , Labour MP for Walthamstow , in The Daily Telegraph Making misogyny a hate crime has nothing to do with wolf-whistling “ Recognising misogyny as a driver of crime doesn ’ t create any new crimes or criminalise anything that isn ’ t already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seriousness with which it is treated and so addressed .
As the Met Police says of other forms of hate crime : ‘ If it happens to you , you might be tempted to shrug it off .
But if you report the hate crime , we can investigate and stop it from getting worse – either for you or someone else.
’ With reports during lockdown of sexual harassment and domestic violence soaring there has never been a more important time to change our approach to the abuse women face .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in the criminal justice system .
As with other forms of hate crime , it sends a message about the kind of society we want to live in and how to ensure everyone is free to be who they are .
Overlooking the harm done by hostility based on sex creates a culture in which crimes involving violence and the abuse of women can flourish .
Misogyny is so ingrained that we discount , rather than counter , it – telling women how to keep themselves safe rather than those responsible that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Frank Bruni in The New York Times “ It was almost inevitable that President Trump would get one Supreme Court appointment during this four-year term .
It was always possible that he ’ d get two .
But three ?
Seldom has a president ’ s impact been so inversely proportional to his warrant .
Trump , with his nonexistent mandate , reaches extra far and wreaks extra damage .
That ’ s what makes his reign so perverse .
That ’ s the special hell of it .
Almost instantly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s death , I checked how many Supreme Court justices Trump ’ s immediate predecessors had appointed , because I knew how fast he and Mitch McConnell would move to fill her seat .
When it comes to this sort of unabashed power grab , they ’ re conjoined twins , connected by their contempt for fools who get hung up on hypocrisy and prattle about fairness .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Daniel Finkelstein in The Times
on balancing the economy with health
Boris Johnson has undercooked his Covid plan
“At the root of the Covid-19 problem is a simple choice: the crisis won’t pass until we either have a successful treatment or vaccine, or natural herd immunity so that if someone gets it they can’t really pass it on because such a large proportion of the population are immune. We must choose. We can allow the virus to spread, aiming to achieve herd immunity as quickly as possible. Or we can try to hold it off until we get a vaccine or treatment. The choice may be simple but that doesn’t make it an easy one. We can’t know for certain when an adequate treatment or a vaccine will be available. If we hang on for science to rescue us, holding back the economy and social life, we can’t be sure the cavalry will ever arrive. And at some point we will have to give up and allow natural herd immunity to develop after all, with all the deaths that involves, meaning that much of the effort and sacrifice we made was in vain. Nevertheless, I believe this risk — putting much of our economic and social lives on hold — is still the right one to take.”
2. Julian Baggini in The Guardian
on an old conservative trick
‘Freedom-loving Brits’? It’s not that simple, Prime Minister
“When freedom simply means the absence of the state, there are always trade-offs between liberty and security, individual freedom and public health. But when we also think of the freedom to eat, to work, to have an education, to determine your own future, the only trade-offs are between different kinds of freedom, or the freedoms of different groups of people. Make people freer to mingle and you decrease the real freedom of the old and vulnerable to live their lives in safety. Give businesses the right to demand their employees go back to their workplaces and you increase their freedom to trade but not the freedom of employees to protect themselves and their families. Withdraw state support for the furlough scheme and you may cut people free from the ties of government but leave them penniless and powerless.”
3. Jonathan Portes, professor of economics and public policy at King’s College, London in The Independent
on an oncoming crisis
A no-deal Brexit would be twice as damaging for the UK economy as coronavirus in the long term
“Will Covid-19 mean that we don’t notice a no-deal Brexit? The continuing effects of the pandemic may mitigate or obscure – politically or economically – the impact of no deal. Whatever the headline growth figures in early 2021, it will be very difficult to attribute economic outcomes to Brexit. However, assuming a reasonably strong recovery, and that government policies succeed in avoiding persistent mass unemployment, Brexit is likely to have a more significant impact in the long run. Our modelling with the London School of Economics of the impact of a no-deal Brexit suggests that the total cost to the UK economy over the longer term will be two to three times as large as that implied by the Bank of England’s forecast for the impact of Covid-19. No deal will result in immediate and substantial tariff and non-tariff barriers on UK exports to the EU. And the UK will apply the new UK Global Tariff to imports from the EU and other countries with which it does not have a trade deal. Free movement will also come to an end.”
4. Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, in The Daily Telegraph
on tackling crime against women
Making misogyny a hate crime has nothing to do with wolf-whistling
“Recognising misogyny as a driver of crime doesn’t create any new crimes or criminalise anything that isn’t already an offence – but it does change the seriousness with which it is treated and so addressed. As the Met Police says of other forms of hate crime: ‘If it happens to you, you might be tempted to shrug it off. But if you report the hate crime, we can investigate and stop it from getting worse – either for you or someone else.’ With reports during lockdown of sexual harassment and domestic violence soaring there has never been a more important time to change our approach to the abuse women face. This isn’t just about a change in the criminal justice system. As with other forms of hate crime, it sends a message about the kind of society we want to live in and how to ensure everyone is free to be who they are. Overlooking the harm done by hostility based on sex creates a culture in which crimes involving violence and the abuse of women can flourish. Misogyny is so ingrained that we discount, rather than counter, it – telling women how to keep themselves safe rather than those responsible that they will be held accountable.”
5. Frank Bruni in The New York Times
on appointing politicised judges
The Special Hell of Trump’s Supreme Court Appointment
“It was almost inevitable that President Trump would get one Supreme Court appointment during this four-year term. It was always possible that he’d get two. But three? Seldom has a president’s impact been so inversely proportional to his warrant. Trump, with his nonexistent mandate, reaches extra far and wreaks extra damage. That’s what makes his reign so perverse. That’s the special hell of it. Almost instantly after the news of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, I checked how many Supreme Court justices Trump’s immediate predecessors had appointed, because I knew how fast he and Mitch McConnell would move to fill her seat. When it comes to this sort of unabashed power grab, they’re conjoined twins, connected by their contempt for fools who get hung up on hypocrisy and prattle about fairness.”


theweekuk--2020-09-23--Chinese property mogul jailed after Xi Jinping ‘clown’ jibe

A Chinese billionaire has been jailed for 18 years just months after publicly describing the country ’ s president as a “ clown ” over his handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
Proprety tycoon Ren Zhiqiang was placed under investigation in April over charges relating to corruption , bribery and embezzlement of public funds .
According to a newly released statement from the Beijing No 2 Intermediate Court , the 69-year-old has been imprisoned and fined 4.2 million yuan ( £485,000 ) after he “ voluntarily confessed to all charges ” .
The court said that Ren - who according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling Communist Party ’ s “ inner circle ” - had accepted bribes worth 1.25m yuan and embezzled almost 50m yuan .
But as the BBC notes , “ rights groups have consistently accused China of using corruption charges as a way to clamp down on dissent ” - and many believe that Ren , nicknamed the “ Big Cannon ” for his outspokenness , may be the victim of those tactics .
Ren landed in hot water in February after penning an essay criticising the Chinese leadership ’ s response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is not an emperor showing off his ‘ new clothes ’ , but a clown who wants to be an emperor even without clothes on , ” he wrote in the blog post .
“ He would not hide by the slightest his ambition to be an emperor and his determination to eradicate anyone in the way.
” The Times reports that Zen was “ thought to have some political immunity because of his links to senior politicians ” .
However , he disappeared in March and was confirmed to be under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s court system “ has a conviction rate of around 99 % ” and “ corruption charges are often used to go after Communist Party insiders who fall afoul of the leadership ” , CNN reports .
As the BBC ’ s China correspondent Stephen McDonell says : “ If you have not lived in China recently , it might be hard to imagine just how much of a line you are crossing when you publicly criticise Xi Jinping .
”

A Chinese billionaire has been jailed for 18 years just months after publicly describing the country’s president as a “clown” over his handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
Proprety tycoon Ren Zhiqiang was placed under investigation in April over charges relating to corruption, bribery and embezzlement of public funds. According to a newly released statement from the Beijing No 2 Intermediate Court, the 69-year-old has been imprisoned and fined 4.2 million yuan (£485,000) after he “voluntarily confessed to all charges”.
The court said that Ren - who according to Al Jazeera was once part of the ruling Communist Party’s “inner circle” - had accepted bribes worth 1.25m yuan and embezzled almost 50m yuan.
But as the BBC notes, “rights groups have consistently accused China of using corruption charges as a way to clamp down on dissent” - and many believe that Ren, nicknamed the “Big Cannon” for his outspokenness, may be the victim of those tactics.
Ren landed in hot water in February after penning an essay criticising the Chinese leadership’s response to the Covid pandemic.
“What stands there is not an emperor showing off his ‘new clothes’, but a clown who wants to be an emperor even without clothes on,” he wrote in the blog post. “He would not hide by the slightest his ambition to be an emperor and his determination to eradicate anyone in the way.”
The Times reports that Zen was “thought to have some political immunity because of his links to senior politicians”. However, he disappeared in March and was confirmed to be under investigation by Beijing in April.
China’s court system “has a conviction rate of around 99%” and “corruption charges are often used to go after Communist Party insiders who fall afoul of the leadership”, CNN reports.
As the BBC’s China correspondent Stephen McDonell says: “If you have not lived in China recently, it might be hard to imagine just how much of a line you are crossing when you publicly criticise Xi Jinping.”


theweekuk--2020-09-23--Why everybody’s talking about the threat of a second national lockdown

Less than a month ago , Britons were warned to “ go back to work or risk losing your job ” as Boris Johnson called for a return to offices .
Today , Dominic Raab is predicting that the UK “ could end up in a national lockdown ” once again if the government ’ s latest social distancing measures fail to curb raising coronavirus infection rates .
The foreign secretary told Sky News that a second shutdown “ is what we want to avoid ” but remains in Downing Street ’ s “ arsenal ” of options - a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments about another shutdown being akin to a “ nuclear deterrent ” .
But while the extreme measure is unpopular , Johnson is “ walking a tightrope as he plots a route through the Covid crisis ” , says The Telegraph ’ s associate editor Camilla Tominey .
Almost 17 million people tuned in to watch a televised address last night in which the prime minister “ urged the nation to summon discipline , resolve and a spirit of togetherness to meet a second wave of coronavirus this winter ” , reports The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come ” , Johnson said that “ he could not rule out a second national lockdown if people failed to follow the tougher restrictions he had earlier announced in the Commons ” , the newspaper continues .
That message was echoed this morning by Raab , who in a “ stark warning to the public ” cautioned that if the new coronavirus rules are not followed , Britain could face a second lockdown by Christmas , says The Telegraph .
Another 4,926 people in the UK tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A further 37 people have also died within 28 days of testing positive - the highest tally of fatalities in a single day since 14 July .
It ’ s beginning to look a lot like lockdown Back in July , Johnson predicted a “ significant return to normality ” by Christmas - a comment he may come to rue if he fails to deliver lower infection rates ahead of the festive season .
Earlier this month , Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty warned that the UK ’ s trajectory of positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that of France and Spain , two of the European countries worst-affected by the second wave of Covid cases .
Whitty hammered home that point this week , at a televised press conference , where the country was told to be “ prepared for significant restrictions for the next six months , over the winter period when the virus can be expected to flourish ” , The Guardian reports .
Raab ’ s subsequent intervention came as “ critics blasted the government ” for failing to take “ responsibility for the spike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U-turns and policy changes in recent months ” , says the Daily Mail .
And with discontent already spreading among Tory MPs - who according to the newspaper , are describing the government ’ s response as a “ total shambles ” - Johnson will be anxious to avoid becoming the PM who stole Christmas .
Doves in Johnson ’ s cabinet have lost the immediate battle over lockdown , says Politico ’ s Alex Wickham , who reports that “ several Cabinet ministers , MPs , devolved leaders and the mayor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest restrictions go far enough ” .
After “ two days locked in meetings ” with ministers and scientists , the PM instead “ sided more with the hawks ” in government “ who wanted to protect the economy and the hospitality industry from a wider crackdown ” , Wickham writes .
But the financial impact of further restrictions is already being felt , with the UK ’ s recovery from lockdown No.1 “ losing momentum even before the announcement of new restrictions to control the spread of the virus ” , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elliott .
“ The closely watched monthly estimates from Cips/Markit found the level of activity at its lowest since June , ” Elliott continues , with “ the outlook for business at its weakest since May and jobs being shed at a rapid rate ” .
So what happens next ?
As The Telegraph ’ s Tominey notes , the PM “ faces backlash ” whatever he does , either “ from those who think he has gone too far – or those who think he has not gone far enough ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ministers are hoping Thursday ’ s launch of the new NHS tracing app will help avoid further curbs on people ’ s civil liberties , ” she says .
But the cabinet , and the country , remains divided over what steps to take - “ hence the need to constantly occupy the middle ground ” .
Johnson ’ s latest list of restrictions come into effect tomorrow .
But sources around No .
10 tell Politico ’ s Wickham that they may be just the “ first decisive step ” ahead @ @ @ @

Less than a month ago, Britons were warned to “go back to work or risk losing your job” as Boris Johnson called for a return to offices.
Today, Dominic Raab is predicting that the UK “could end up in a national lockdown” once again if the government’s latest social distancing measures fail to curb raising coronavirus infection rates.
The foreign secretary told Sky News that a second shutdown “is what we want to avoid” but remains in Downing Street’s “arsenal” of options - a description that tallies with his boss’ comments about another shutdown being akin to a “nuclear deterrent”.
But while the extreme measure is unpopular, Johnson is “walking a tightrope as he plots a route through the Covid crisis”, says The Telegraph’s associate editor Camilla Tominey.
‘A struggle humanity must win’
Almost 17 million people tuned in to watch a televised address last night in which the prime minister “urged the nation to summon discipline, resolve and a spirit of togetherness to meet a second wave of coronavirus this winter”, reports The Times.
Warning of “difficult months to come”, Johnson said that “he could not rule out a second national lockdown if people failed to follow the tougher restrictions he had earlier announced in the Commons”, the newspaper continues.
That message was echoed this morning by Raab, who in a “stark warning to the public” cautioned that if the new coronavirus rules are not followed, Britain could face a second lockdown by Christmas, says The Telegraph.
Another 4,926 people in the UK tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday, the highest daily figure since 7 May. A further 37 people have also died within 28 days of testing positive - the highest tally of fatalities in a single day since 14 July.
It’s beginning to look a lot like lockdown
Back in July, Johnson predicted a “significant return to normality” by Christmas - a comment he may come to rue if he fails to deliver lower infection rates ahead of the festive season.
Earlier this month, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty warned that the UK’s trajectory of positive cases was “extremely similar” to that of France and Spain, two of the European countries worst-affected by the second wave of Covid cases.


theweekuk--2020-09-24--Four things we know about the European Union’s new migrant plan

The European Union has outlined a new migration scheme aimed at ending disputes between member states over the distribution of people landing on European shores .
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen yesterday unveiled the plan to overhaul the bloc ’ s asylum procedures , saying it would “ unify European capitals behind a common migration policy ” and calling it a “ European solution to restore citizens ’ confidence ” .
Here are four key takeaways from the new migration scheme .
Since 2015 , Greece and Italy have had to “ manage the waves of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while other countries further from the frontline have refused to take migrants at certain points , Politico says .
The new rules share the spread of migrants by hosting asylum seekers or sponsoring returns of failed applicants .
The law also “ aims to strengthen control of Europe ’ s external borders , with new plans to screen all migrants and fast track those unlikely to get asylum ” , Voice of America adds .
Unveiling the new plan , Von Der Leyen said “ it is not a question of whether member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but how they should support ” .
However , member states such as Poland and Hungary have “ resolutely resisted plans for mandatory sharing in the past ” and thus it is “ unlikely that money or EU plans for quicker processing of asylum claims will change their views ” , the BBC reports .
Politico also notes that parts of the plan will be tailored , with “ each member country ’ s needs assessed and a mixture of help in relocating some asylum seekers within the EU , ” it says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commission ’ s new scheme was the recent fire at Moria , Europe ’ s largest migrant camp on the Greek island of Lesbos .
Marie De Somer , migration head of the European Policy Centre , described the fire as “ horrible ” , adding that it showed to the wider public the “ urgency and importance of coming to a European solution ” to the migrant crisis .
It has split the room Despite EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson ’ s prediction that “ no-one will be satisfied ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called it a “ good basis for discussion ” between member states , while Greece praised the pact for facilitating stronger border controls , The Guardian reports .
But not everyone is convinced , with a statement from the Hungarian Parliament saying its stance has been “ clear and unchanged ” .
The country added the EU “ should form alliances with countries of origin , so that they are able to provide proper living standards and ensure that their people do not have to leave their homelands ” .

The European Union has outlined a new migration scheme aimed at ending disputes between member states over the distribution of people landing on European shores.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen yesterday unveiled the plan to overhaul the bloc’s asylum procedures, saying it would “unify European capitals behind a common migration policy” and calling it a “European solution to restore citizens’ confidence”.
Here are four key takeaways from the new migration scheme.
Shared responsibility for ‘Fortress Europe’
Since 2015, Greece and Italy have had to “manage the waves of people arriving on their shores”, while other countries further from the frontline have refused to take migrants at certain points, Politico says. The new rules share the spread of migrants by hosting asylum seekers or sponsoring returns of failed applicants.
The law also “aims to strengthen control of Europe’s external borders, with new plans to screen all migrants and fast track those unlikely to get asylum”, Voice of America adds.
No opting out
Unveiling the new plan, Von Der Leyen said “it is not a question of whether member states should support with solidarity and contributions but how they should support”.
However, member states such as Poland and Hungary have “resolutely resisted plans for mandatory sharing in the past” and thus it is “unlikely that money or EU plans for quicker processing of asylum claims will change their views”, the BBC reports.
Politico also notes that parts of the plan will be tailored, with “each member country’s needs assessed and a mixture of help in relocating some asylum seekers within the EU,” it says.
Rising from the ashes
The backdrop to the negotiation of the commission’s new scheme was the recent fire at Moria, Europe’s largest migrant camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.
Marie De Somer, migration head of the European Policy Centre, described the fire as “horrible”, adding that it showed to the wider public the “urgency and importance of coming to a European solution” to the migrant crisis.
It has split the room
Despite EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson’s prediction that “no-one will be satisfied” with the plan, German officials have called it a “good basis for discussion” between member states, while Greece praised the pact for facilitating stronger border controls, The Guardian reports.
But not everyone is convinced, with a statement from the Hungarian Parliament saying its stance has been “clear and unchanged”. The country added the EU “should form alliances with countries of origin, so that they are able to provide proper living standards and ensure that their people do not have to leave their homelands”.


theweekuk--2020-09-24--Why everyone’s talking about Wrexham AFC, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Compared to the English Premier League , the non-league divisions in British football are not known for being glamorous .
But that could all be about to change after it was revealed that Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are in talks to become investors in Wrexham AFC .
Welsh club Wrexham play in the fifth tier of English football and should the actors become backers it would add a certain sparkle to the Red Dragons ’ s Racecourse Ground .
The stadium first opened in 1807 and has been used for football since 1864 , the same year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oldest football club in Wales and according to their historians they are the third oldest professional football club in the world .
Perhaps it ’ s the 156 years of football history that is attracting the acting duo to north Wales ?
The club has been fan-owned since 2011 , but during its Special General Meeting ( SGM ) on Tuesday the Wrexham Supporters Trust Board confirmed that Canadian Reynolds and American McElhenney are the potential investors .
Members have voted overwhelmingly for takeover talks to proceed , BBC Sport reports , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) in favour of the resolution .
Wrexham Supporters Trust Board said in a statement : “ As a result , talks with the proposed bidders will now continue and we are in a position to confirm the two people interested in investing in Wrexham AFC .
“ Rob McElhenney is an American actor , director , producer and screenwriter , best known as the creator of It ’ s Always Sunny in Philadelphia .
Ryan Reynolds is an award-winning Canadian actor , writer , producer and business entrepreneur whose credits include Marvel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , Mr. McElhenney and Mr. Reynolds will put forward their vision for Wrexham AFC and proposal for members to vote on at a second Special General Meeting.
” What happens next ?
The BBC says any potential takeover could lead to £2m being invested in the club .
Trust director Spencer Harris said that talks with Reynolds and McElhenney are in the early stages and he expects a further vote from fans on the outline of the proposed deal “ in weeks rather than months ” .
Harris told BBC Radio Wales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a little while [ about their interest ] , but we wanted to come as early as we could in the process to involve supporters .
“ As everybody knows we are community owned and therefore this has become public knowledge a little bit earlier than it would in any other normal circumstance , but yeah it ’ s out there now so people know all about it .
“ We started talking through representatives of theirs , talking about the club , and we ’ re now in a position where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday night , to get into detailed discussions about what a takeover deal could look like .
“ There is some way to go and at the end of the day it will be the supporters who decide what the future direction of the club will be.
” News of the actors ’ s potential investment comes at a time when football clubs across the UK are in financial crisis because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Fans are not allowed back into stadiums as yet and it was reported earlier this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be delayed because of this .
Wrexham are due to begin their league campaign with a home clash against Boreham Wood on Saturday 3 October at the Racecourse Ground .

Compared to the English Premier League, the non-league divisions in British football are not known for being glamorous.
But that could all be about to change after it was revealed that Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are in talks to become investors in Wrexham AFC.
Welsh club Wrexham play in the fifth tier of English football and should the actors become backers it would add a certain sparkle to the Red Dragons’s Racecourse Ground. The stadium first opened in 1807 and has been used for football since 1864, the same year Wrexham were established.
Guess who the potential investors are at Wrexham? Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/QXVIPHXmIc — BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) September 23, 2020
What happened?
Wrexham are the oldest football club in Wales and according to their historians they are the third oldest professional football club in the world.
Perhaps it’s the 156 years of football history that is attracting the acting duo to north Wales?
The club has been fan-owned since 2011, but during its Special General Meeting (SGM) on Tuesday the Wrexham Supporters Trust Board confirmed that Canadian Reynolds and American McElhenney are the potential investors.
Members have voted overwhelmingly for takeover talks to proceed, BBC Sport reports, with 97.5% of voters (1,223 members) in favour of the resolution.
Wrexham Supporters Trust Board said in a statement: “As a result, talks with the proposed bidders will now continue and we are in a position to confirm the two people interested in investing in Wrexham AFC.
“Rob McElhenney is an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter, best known as the creator of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Ryan Reynolds is an award-winning Canadian actor, writer, producer and business entrepreneur whose credits include Marvel’s Deadpool.
“In due course, Mr. McElhenney and Mr. Reynolds will put forward their vision for Wrexham AFC and proposal for members to vote on at a second Special General Meeting.”
I’ve waited 8 years to respond to this tweet. — Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) September 23, 2020
What happens next?
The BBC says any potential takeover could lead to £2m being invested in the club.
Trust director Spencer Harris said that talks with Reynolds and McElhenney are in the early stages and he expects a further vote from fans on the outline of the proposed deal “in weeks rather than months”.
Harris told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: “We’ve known for a little while [about their interest], but we wanted to come as early as we could in the process to involve supporters.
“As everybody knows we are community owned and therefore this has become public knowledge a little bit earlier than it would in any other normal circumstance, but yeah it’s out there now so people know all about it.
“We started talking through representatives of theirs, talking about the club, and we’re now in a position where we are able, following the SGM on Tuesday night, to get into detailed discussions about what a takeover deal could look like.
“There is some way to go and at the end of the day it will be the supporters who decide what the future direction of the club will be.”
News of the actors’s potential investment comes at a time when football clubs across the UK are in financial crisis because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Fans are not allowed back into stadiums as yet and it was reported earlier this week that the start of the National League could be delayed because of this.
Wrexham are due to begin their league campaign with a home clash against Boreham Wood on Saturday 3 October at the Racecourse Ground.


theweekuk--2020-09-24--One in five Britons won’t get Covid-19 vaccine amid ‘fears of side-effects’

One in five people in Britain are “ unlikely ” to accept a coronavirus vaccine when one becomes available , with adverse side-effects and the motivations of commercial providers cited amongst concerns .
University College London ’ s Covid-19 social study , which saw more than 70,000 participants surveyed , found that just 49 % of UK residents would be “ very likely ” to allow the jab to be administered , The Guardian reports .
Funded by the Nuffield Foundation , the study is the largest probe of pandemic-related attitudes and behaviours to have been conducted and suggests “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public about vaccines ” .
Out of the 22 % of people that admitted they were unlikely to get inoculated , 10 % suggested they were “ very unlikely ” to seek the jab .
Meanwhile , 7 % of respondents were unsure of whether vaccines really did provide any protection , whilst 4 % were convinced that vaccines were a con concocted by pharmaceutical companies .
The study found that 38 % said “ natural immunity ” was better than immunity from vaccines .
Daisy Fancourt , associate professor of psychobiology and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study , said : “ Whilst the majority of people have said they are likely to get a Covid-19 vaccine once one is available , a worrying amount of respondents have said that not only will they not get the vaccine , but that they don ’ t believe vaccines work or worry about potential side-effects , concerns that lack any basis in fact.
” The Times reports a further 15 % believed , to a greater or lesser extent , that vaccines did not work , whilst a quarter of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial profiteering ” .
Researchers also revealed that more than half of the participants thought vaccines had “ unforeseen side effects ” whereas 30 % were apprehensive about “ future problems that had not yet been discovered ” .
Fear of mandatory vaccination programmes has been a central fixture of anti-lockdown protests across the US and Europe , the Independent says .
Many demonstrators ’ views often stem from conspiracy theories and falsehoods about the healthcare sector and scientific authorities .
Dr Doug Brown , chief executive of the British Society for Immunology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ reliable , evidence-based information ” would be critical to “ promoting high uptake ” , and urged the government to be “ open and honest with people to explain the vaccine development process ” .
Cheryl Lloyd , education programme head at the Nuffield Foundation , said the survey offers “ valuable insights into public concerns about vaccinations ” .
She added : “ Given people ’ s reasons for distrust of vaccines , transparency about the scientific evidence and the role of commercial providers is likely to be a key factor @ @ @ @ @ @


theweekuk--2020-09-24--‘No need to panic buy’: supermarkets urge shoppers to stay calm

UK supermarket chains are trying to prevent a fresh spate of panic buying amid growing fears of a second national lockdown .
In a televised address on Tuesday , Boris Johnson warned that the government could not rule out another UK-wide shutdown if his latest social distancing measures fail to curb the spread of Covid-19 .
Supermarket bosses are now calling for calm in a bid to avoid a repeat of the chaos seen in aisles when the first lockdown was implemented back in March , with panicked customers across the country bulk-buying toilet paper , tinned goods and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that stock is plentiful , shop shelves are already “ being stripped of bleach , toilet paper and other hygiene products ” , The Mirror reports .
Shopper Amit Karia shared a picture on Twitter showing another customer bulk-buying toilet rolls at a Farmfoods in Ilford .
He told the newspaper : “ The woman had eight packs and will come back in later and buy eight more .
The reason why she [ is ] carrying [ them ] is because there are no trolleys left .
People were buying big as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Another shopper told GrimsbyLive : “ People have definitely started to panic buy again .
It ’ s ridiculous .
The only reason why we had these issues last time is because people were buying too much for themselves and not leaving enough for the rest of us .
“ If we just get our heads together and buy only what we need , we won ’ t have to worry about it , no matter whether we have a second lockdown or not.
” While some shoppers are busy filling their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calm and insist that supply chains are operating as usual .
Dave Lewis , the outgoing chief executive of Tesco , has pleaded for customers to shop normally , adding that stockpiling was “ unnecessary ” .
In an interview with Ian King Live on Sky News , Lewis said : “ The message would be one of reassurance .
I think the UK saw how well the food industry managed last time , so there ’ s very good supplies of food .
“ We just don ’ t want to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that creates a tension in the supply chain that ’ s not necessary .
And therefore we would just encourage customers to continue to buy as normal.
” The UK boss of Aldi , Giles Hurley , has also told customers that there is “ no need to buy more than you usually would ” , The Guardian reports .
In a letter to shoppers , Hurley said : “ I would like to reassure you that our stores remain fully stocked and ask that you continue to shop considerately .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic and will continue to have daily deliveries , often multiple times a day , across all of our products.
” Online grocery delivery has become the norm for millions of people in the UK since the first lockdown .
Ocado ’ s chief executive Tim Steiner has said that the switch to internet shopping has “ permanently redrawn ” the retail landscape .
That claim has been backed by the findings of a survey of 2,000 people by Waitrose in August , which showed that 77 % did at least some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 61 % a year ago .
And 60 % said they shopped for groceries online more frequently since the pandemic .
The online shopping boom has seen supermarket chains scrambling to increase their delivery operations .
The Independent reports that Tesco ’ s online capacity had almost doubled from 600,000 weekly delivery slots in March to 1.5 million in September .
The supermarket giant last month announced the creation of 16,000 new permanent roles to bolster its delivery capabilities .
As stores now prepare to face even greater demand for deliveries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustainability at the British Retail Consortium ( BRC ) , has urged customers to be “ considerate of others ” .
“ Supply chains are stronger than ever and we do not anticipate any issues in the availability of food or other goods under a future lockdown , ” he said .

UK supermarket chains are trying to prevent a fresh spate of panic buying amid growing fears of a second national lockdown.
In a televised address on Tuesday, Boris Johnson warned that the government could not rule out another UK-wide shutdown if his latest social distancing measures fail to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Supermarket bosses are now calling for calm in a bid to avoid a repeat of the chaos seen in aisles when the first lockdown was implemented back in March, with panicked customers across the country bulk-buying toilet paper, tinned goods and other household staples.
‘Panic buying has begun’
Despite reassurances from retailers that stock is plentiful, shop shelves are already “being stripped of bleach, toilet paper and other hygiene products”, The Mirror reports.
Shopper Amit Karia shared a picture on Twitter showing another customer bulk-buying toilet rolls at a Farmfoods in Ilford.
He told the newspaper: “The woman had eight packs and will come back in later and buy eight more. The reason why she [is] carrying [them] is because there are no trolleys left. People were buying big as everyone [is] afraid of lockdown.”
Another shopper told GrimsbyLive: “People have definitely started to panic buy again. It’s ridiculous. The only reason why we had these issues last time is because people were buying too much for themselves and not leaving enough for the rest of us.
“If we just get our heads together and buy only what we need, we won’t have to worry about it, no matter whether we have a second lockdown or not.”
Panic buying has begun in my local farm foods. Absolute scenes next door in Lidl too@RetailMPH @naomi2009 pic.twitter.com/s7P2Lq9Xrs — 𝘈𝘮𝘪𝘵 (@amit_esquire) September 20, 2020
Customers reassured
While some shoppers are busy filling their trolleys, supermarket bosses have called for calm and insist that supply chains are operating as usual.
Dave Lewis, the outgoing chief executive of Tesco, has pleaded for customers to shop normally, adding that stockpiling was “unnecessary”.
In an interview with Ian King Live on Sky News, Lewis said: “The message would be one of reassurance. I think the UK saw how well the food industry managed last time, so there’s very good supplies of food.
“We just don’t want to see a return to unnecessary panic buying because that creates a tension in the supply chain that’s not necessary. And therefore we would just encourage customers to continue to buy as normal.”