Despite the blunders, voters still back Boris in Covid fight

EARLIER this week, on a visit to Exeter, Prime Minister Boris Johnson got in a muddle over his own coronavirus restrictions. He later had to hastily apologise, clarify the rules, and insist he had “misspoken.” All highly embarrassing, and gleefully seized upon by the Opposition and an increasingly hostile media.

It was a low moment in what looks to have been a steadily worsening Government performance in handling the pandemic. From shortcomings in the testing regime to mixed messaging on local lockdowns, the impression of a Government completely at the mercy of events is growing.

And yet... despite increasing cases of coronavirus and the threat of further and tighter restrictions, combined with MPs who are questioning whether the Government has given itself too great a set of powers to restrict the liberty of the people, the vast majority of the population continue to show support for Boris Johnson and his Government.

That is not to say the situation isn’t changing. But in August – admittedly before the latest errors by ministers – 42% of voters in a Mori poll said they thought the Government was handling the coronavirus crisis “well” with 40% saying it was handling it badly. That’s a narrow lead for those who are positive about the Conservatives and Covid – and subject to a margin of error that could reverse the result – but it does not reflect the way the performance of Johnson’s Government is being widely reported, which is far more negatively than is shown by the polls.

Anecdotally, too, the support for the Government and its handling of this crisis remains evenly balanced. While concerns about the messaging are growing, and the failure of ministers to match their promises with reality is a concern, there is still powerful evidence to say a majority back the Government in its fight.

That’s hardly surprising, of course. On the detail – around the clarity of the message – or lack of it – the availability of testing – or lack of it – there is plenty to be critical of.

But on the broad thrust of managing a pandemic and balancing the need to keep people safe from disease without destroying the economy or their mental health, the UK Government, like those of most of the rest of Europe, are operating in pretty much the only way they can.

And while there will be plenty for voters to consider when they next go to the polls to elect a Government and a Prime Minister, in four years time, Boris Johnson’s handling of coronavirus will not – we suggest – be at the very top of their list of factors to take into account.

That’s why it probably makes more sense for Sir Keir Starmer and Labour to stick to their policy of supporting the Government’s measures to slow the spread of the disease while raising just the occasional point of dissent or contradiction to remind everyone they are still in Opposition.

Most voters don’t see the battle against Covid-19 as an overtly political issue – they want to support the Government in sorting it out. Bungling Boris may yet prove a liability – but, while he’s got this huge job to complete, voters seem ready to keep on cutting him some slack.