Inconsistencies

Inconsistencies and poor messaging by the government are bringing the pingdemic to a store or pub near you. Of course, it is not yet a scare story, and even when Brexit issues eventually affect our lorry drivers and food supplies, total chaos may be averted.

But the inconsistencies bode ill for our future. The Tory party has its libertarians who want small government and free enterprise. They see herd immunity as the answer. They are demanding total freedom, even opposing night club vaccine passports.

There is also the fiscally conservative who hate pandemic “war socialism” and want to kick people back on their feet and cut debts as soon as possible.

The ideology of the party is Neo-liberalism, after all, so what can one expect but “laisser faire” and a hatred of anything that seems socialist or woke. But the desire for ideological purity means government can only ever address our future problems with soundbites and finessing.

Neo-liberalism cannot level up or manage environmental disasters. Why? Quite simply, governments have to commit to big spending, big plans and cooperation between countries if we are to address the environmental decline which had become all too obvious across China, the USA and Europe.

The same is true of levelling up, social care problems and safety standards in food, flood preparations and housing. Dominic Cummings is right to suggest we need a new premier, but wrong if he suggests it should be another Conservative one.

ANDREW VASS

Edinburgh