This is a time for united action, not just political point-scoring

WITH reference to your recent On the House article, I’ve never read such politically motivated statements as have been expressed by Bristol West MP, Thangam Debbonaire.

Yes, it is most regrettable that Bristol like many universities across the country has had to restrict Fresher movements, but to blame this on the Government’s competence is really “a bit rich”!

Universities by definition are places of learning and intelligence which are governed by vice-chancellors, so if any university has seen a lockdown situation through lack of foresight and provision of facilities, the blame, if any has to be laid, should be levied on the university authorities and its facilities, not on the Government who are having to keep 100 “balls in the air” all the time to follow the vagaries of the pandemic and control how it affects the health and economy of our country.

Never has any government of this country, or any other national government, had to deal democratically and sensibly with the likes of Covid. At all stages of the pandemic, our country and its citizens have been kept informed not only by our Prime Minister and his ministers, but by nationally respected scientific and medical members of SAGE.

If she has to levy blame, Ms Debbonaire had best look at the USA to see an example where the disastrous results of incompetence and narcissistic pride of its president has acted against the advice of respected scientific and medical authorities.

Now is not the time for a member of the parliamentary opposition to levy blame for political reasons but to support the government and its ministers by her statements and actions at a time when united political action and words are sorely needed.

Ian Beattie Bristol