Lockdown shows how easily we lose liberty

AFTER 18 months of restrictions with an uncomfortable amount of sudden handbrake turns on policy in that period, there will be some people who are sceptical that lockdowns are a thing of the past.

But we should take Boris Johnson at his word. Throughout this crisis he has endeavoured to explain his actions and his reasoning.

It is true that he promised we would be able to celebrate Christmas with our families last year and then cancelled the festivities at the very last minute. But times have changed.

Mr Johnson is also a political leader who believes in freedom unlike, apparently, his counterparts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

Almost all the adult population who wish to be vaccinated are vaccinated, booster jabs are on their way for the most vulnerable, the country has successfully unlocked and the economy is beginning to fire up again.

There are many reasons to be optimistic and the decision to scrap most of the emergency powers on things such as closing sectors of the economy, schools and universities, or limiting the number of people who can gather together is very welcome.

But alongside the importance of health measures, this chapter in our history has also given us an appreciation for our liberties.

It is clear that freedoms can be taken away too easily and the Prime Minister needs to heed the words of Conservative MPS and others who believe the Public Health Act now must be reformed.

While we need measures in place to protect people, lockdown should never be the default option again.