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Long time lockdown
Britain’s coronavirus lockdown could be extended beyond three weeks, ministers have said after Boris Johnson spent a third night in intensive care. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputising for the Prime Minister, chaired a Cobra emergency committee yesterday to discuss the lockdown measures with leaders of the devolved nations. No decision was expected to be made at that meeting in Mr Johnson’s absence, with key figures in the response instead discussing how it will be resolved next week.
“Boris Johnson should have been completely replaced on the day he was admitted to intensive care. The UK Government seems to be dithering and confused. The introduction of widespread testing is required. Why has it not been?” Andrew Mcmillan, heraldscotland.com
“It was never said that the lockdown would be lifted after three weeks. Where is this coming from? They said they would look at it after three weeks and every three weeks after that.”
Frederick Mills, heraldscotland.com
“If it is extended it is probably because of all the idiots not listening to advice. Most of them couldn’t spell social distancing and seem to think they are immune.”
Scott Currie, Facebook
Land for the free
Scotland should look to countries as diverse as Norway, the US and Mexico as it moves to shift power away from private landowners and towards communities, according to a new report. The Scottish Land Commission said drawing on international experience would help enhance “collective wellbeing and prosperity”. It added Scotland continues to exhibit one of the most concentrated patterns of private land ownership in the world.
“Start with tax reform and number one on the list hunting and shooting estates which are an ecological wilderness. With a bit of imagination, for example, cleared villages, townships and crofts taken out of their ownership with token compensation, and made available for communities returning to where they were cleared.”
Douglas Thomson, heraldscotland.com
“One of the big drivers for Scottish independence after democracy is reforming land ownership.”
Marc Rich, heraldscotland.com
“The use that the land is put to is much more important than who ‘owns’ it. City dwellers will all probably say ‘we need land reform’ but do they have a clue what would happen to the land?
“Interesting to see Mexico mentioned as a possible source of inspiration.”
Ian Mcmickan, heraldscotland.com
Missed Calls
The UK Government ‘missed eight top conference calls or meetings’ about coronavirus in the last month, according to reports. Meetings between EU heads of state or health ministers between February 13 and March 30 were apparently missed by the UK, despite it being entitled to join during the Brexit transition period. It meant the country missed the deadline to participate in a joint procurement scheme for ventilators.
“Incompetent bungling is a longstanding hallmark of the British (read English) establishment. The Germans as usual are showing them up. No one should be surprised.”
John Henry, heraldscotland.com
“Isn’t this more about the UK government doing its own thing? Pretending it’s fully out of the EU? I hope it doesn’t come back to haunt them because that would mean more UK citizens have died because of their intransigence.”
J Williamson, heraldscotland.com
“Why am I not surprised about this.”
Jo Macdiarmid, heraldscotland.com