Editorial Comment:
The Prime Minister’s trials, tribulations and triumphs during the pandemic crisis have become metaphor for the nation’s own struggles. He began hopefully, fell ill, almost died, recovered and is now a new father. No amount of Government publicity could make the point better that life goes on and adversity can be overcome. The birth of a son to Boris Johnson and his fiancée Carrie Symonds is undoubted good news and we join everyone in sending the couple our heartiest congratulations. As the new father is a former columnist and employee of this newspaper, we share their joy.
It must, however, be set against the grief felt by thousands of families bereaved by coronavirus and the misery caused by the protracted lockdown. The Prime Minister will feel more than anyone the weight of responsibility bearing down on the Government to see the country through this crisis.
Where the lockdown is concerned, Mr Johnson’s return to Downing Street has not been accompanied by any noticeable shift in the Government’s position. In the Commons, Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, was rebuffed in his efforts to get any sense of an exit strategy.
Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, standing in for Mr Johnson, said the scientific advice from the Government’s advisory group, Sage, did not allow for any public discussion of easing the current restrictions, let alone any announcements.
But the Labour leader is surely right to ask the Government to indicate in the broadest terms which areas might be first out of the lockdown and how a phased relaxation might be achieved.
Ministers have hinted at some easing for local authority recycling centres, starting next week, which is a good sign. But when Mr Raab was asked point-blank by Tory MP Sir Desmond Swayne whether garden centres could reopen he said no, even though DIY stores selling plants and similar goods are functioning. Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, told MPS that schools will go back in a phased way but gave no indication when that might be.
A more nuanced approach would give people some hope and encouragement at a time when it is evident many are beginning to weary of the enforced restrictions. It is not criticism of the strategy or of ministerial efforts to say so. The Government is more likely to hold the country together in solidarity if some sense of progress is given soon.