Boris Johnson would lose majority and seat in election tomorrow – poll

[Old Greg]

It's not just that -

1. No PPE stockpiled in the first place
2. No local production of essential things that would become in high demand during pandemic (like PPE)
3. Testing capacity of about zero
4. Lack of training given to population on what to do in event of pandemic - so no well thought out furlough plans, food distribution etc
5. No proper isolation plans - hotels are still not used to host those who tested positive, instead they go back to multi-generational homes to spread virus further

etc etc etc

Getting prepped would have cost a fraction of pandemic cost now, and IF they were prepared then Brexit could have actually become success (if UK was almost virus free country like Australia/New Zealand).

Many countries were in a similar position, but had the leadership to act quickly and effectively. Johnson is just too unwilling to be the killjoy.

[AtW]

Many countries were in a similar position, but had the leadership to act quickly and effectively. Johnson is just too unwilling to be the killjoy.

I don't give a tulip what other countries did badly, we need to look at those who did well - South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore even China who had hadicap of having to deal with it first.

[malvolio]

It's not just that -

1. No PPE stockpiled in the first place
2. No local production of essential things that would become in high demand during pandemic (like PPE)
3. Testing capacity of about zero
4. Lack of training given to population on what to do in event of pandemic - so no well thought out furlough plans, food distribution etc
5. No proper isolation plans - hotels are still not used to host those who tested positive, instead they go back to multi-generational homes to spread virus further

etc etc etc

Getting prepped would have cost a fraction of pandemic cost now, and IF they were prepared then Brexit could have actually become success (if UK was almost virus free country like Australia/New Zealand).

So now you can get an idea about why PHE has been disbanded and moved into a new organisation. Their level of incompetence - which was considerable across the whole range of their activities - is the problem here, not the government's. The best plans in the world (which these weren't) won't help if the people charged with implementing them didn't do so.

For the rest, it's all hindsight: it's easy for those outside to criticise after the event. For one example, in March we didn't know how virulent the thing was nor that it wouldn't respond to the usual, well established treatments for similar diseases.

So stop blaming everyone else and accept that this was an exceptional set of circumstances that needed trial and error solutions. If you want to blame anyone, go for the idiots who ignored (and continue to ignore) the fundamental rules of lockdown. The virus won't spread if you don't let it.

And BTW, Australia is back under severe lockdown and NZ is a damned sight easier to isolate from the outside world than the UK.

[BlasterBates]

So how is that all just a result of policies of the present government? More likely due to decades of focusing on services and growth of low productivity businesses, shop, cafes etc. which are more seriously impacted by the virus. Mass low skilled immigration from the EU, encouraged by Blair, has been a significant factor in that. Not to mention that Covid is bound to be more serious in more densely populated nations.

A "sh*te deal with the EU" ?. So explain, apart from just ignoring the results of the referendum and staying in in all but name, how you think another government could have done better, given the intransigence of the EU's zealots?

Mass low skilled immigration is a myth. 80% of EU immigrants are in skilled jobs, and a higher proportion of EU immigrants are graduates.

[Old Greg]

So now you can get an idea about why PHE has been disbanded and moved into a new organisation. Their level of incompetence - which was considerable across the whole range of their activities - is the problem here, not the government's. The best plans in the world (which these weren't) won't help if the people charged with implementing them didn't do so.

For the rest, it's all hindsight: it's easy for those outside to criticise after the event. For one example, in March we didn't know how virulent the thing was nor that it wouldn't respond to the usual, well established treatments for similar diseases.

So stop blaming everyone else and accept that this was an exceptional set of circumstances that needed trial and error solutions. If you want to blame anyone, go for the idiots who ignored (and continue to ignore) the fundamental rules of lockdown. The virus won't spread if you don't let it.

And BTW, Australia is back under severe lockdown and NZ is a damned sight easier to isolate from the outside world than the UK.

Hindsight? Really?
Boris Johnson boasted of shaking hands on day Sage warned not to | Politics | The Guardian


Stop drinking the koolaid.

[AtW]

So now you can get an idea about why PHE has been disbanded and moved into a new organisation. Their level of incompetence - which was considerable across the whole range of their activities - is the problem here, not the government's. The best plans in the world (which these weren't) won't help if the people charged with implementing them didn't do so.

For the rest, it's all hindsight: it's easy for those outside to criticise after the event. For one example, in March we didn't know how virulent the thing was nor that it wouldn't respond to the usual, well established treatments for similar diseases.

It's the Govt that funds PHE and decides what it will do.

This (pandemic) was utterly predictable AND predicted - Govt just chose to ignore it to save pityful amount of money, even though UK is far better geographically positioned to handle virus threats because of natural water borders.

[vetran]

Sad you muppets have such a short memory.

No one wanted to support Mrs May's deal because of the backstop, level playing field and the overarching role of the ECJ in the proceedings Johnson's deal has removed all those parts, its like saying old smeg is really George Clooney but for the face.

The previous election choice was Boris or Jeremy Corbyn the racist Terrorist lover.

We now have Keir Starmer who is vaguely electable.

UK however is ahead of Europe with vaccinations, we have fewer riots and are comparable on infections & deaths.


COVID-19 situation update for the EU/EEA and the UK, as of week 52 2020

Yes Boris is bad but so far he isn't getting any real challenge.

[AtW]

We now have Keir Starmer who is vaguely electable.

Keir Starmer winning Tory Leave voters for Labour – poll | Labour | The Guardian

[malvolio]

It's the Govt that funds PHE and decides what it will do.

This (pandemic) was utterly predictable AND predicted - Govt just chose to ignore it to save pityful amount of money, even though UK is far better geographically positioned to handle virus threats because of natural water borders.

Sorry but that's nonsense.

[vetran]

Keir Starmer winning Tory Leave voters for Labour – poll | Labour | The Guardian

As I said vaguely electable. He isn't a great leader, but neither is Boris.