Boris Johnson’s great hero Winston Churchill famously attached bright red stickers with the slogan “ACTION THIS DAY” to the most urgent of his commands. The current prime minister needs to do whatever the modern, digital equivalent of that is when he returns to Downing Street in the coming days.
For the government has postponed too many crucial decisions for too long. Ever since Mr Johnson fell ill with “mild” symptoms a month ago, momentous decisions have almost gone by default. Fortunately, the most important of all, the extension of the lockdown, pretty much made itself, so early are we in getting the infection rate of Covid-19 down – “flattening the curve”. Even so, ministers seemed remarkably reluctant to confirm what was obvious to all concerned, leaving it to the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to make the running. Although Dominic Raab and the cabinet were supposed to be in charge “where necessary”, their authority was unclear. There was, as Tony Blair observed, a “void” in decision-making in this highly centralised administration.
Other life-saving decisions have also been ducked, dodged and fudged. On the three signal failures of policy – testing, ventilators and personal protective equipment – the dithering even when Mr Johnson was still leading the fight turned critical. Apart from the appointment of a couple of “tsars”, the situation remains precarious; though thankfully the public has stuck to social distancing rules and thus not overwhelmed the NHS. Key and frontline workers in the heath service, social care and other areas have also ensured that the best possible care is given to every patient, including Mr Johnson.
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