‘ Life without fear’ fuels talk of Sunak- Boris rift
R is hi Sun ak’ sdeputyh as denied there is a rift between the Chancellor and Boris Johnson over how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Some interpreted Mrsunak’s statement that the nation must learn to “live without fear” as contradicting the Prime Minister’s move to impose new restrictions to slow the spread of Covid- 19.
The Chancellor’s remark that “our lives can no longer be put on hold” as he detailed his latest emergency jobs package was also welcomed by Tory backbenchers uneasy over fresh restrictions.
But Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay insisted yesterday both men occupying the top offices in Downing Street were working in tandem.
Asked who is in charge, Mr Barclay told BBC Radio 4’ s Today programme: “The Prime Minister and the Chancellor are working extremely closely together and I think you can see that in the dovetailing of measures.”
He said there was a need to work “in tandem between both t he health measures announced by the Prime Minister and those of the Chancellor”. On Sky News, Mr Barclay was asked whether the Chancellor’s use of the word “fear” was a suggestion that people should not follow the guidance.
He responded: “Quite the opposite. I think what’s very clear from the message, the Chancellor said we need to address the health risks in order to protect jobs.”
Eyebrows were raised when Mr Johnson did not appear in the Commons alongside his Chancellor as he unveiled his new Jobs Support Scheme.