Keep the politics out of Coronavirus
Coronavirus has presented a huge national challenge, rarely seen at this scale outside of a time of war. And in tackling it we have been forced to make accommodations that sit uncomfortably with us all.
Those accommodations and compromises form part of the delicate compact that we have with the British people. That they will surrender some of their civil liberties and freedoms, and that in return we will keep them safe.
It is a simple transaction and it is a pure one.
That bond of trust is delicate though. And once trust is broken it is hard to find again. I fear that we stand at that point now, on the precipice, with that bond at risk of permanent damage, or even fracture.
The first national lockdown was a response to an escalating pandemic of which we knew little except that left unchecked it could be deadly in more ways than one: to lives; to the capacity of the NHS and its ability to extend its care to others, and to our economy and our ability to prevent people from falling into poverty.
So, it is right to recognise that the nature of the pandemic is different now. It is spreading at different rates through our countries and communities and so a regional and local approach is what is needed. Both in terms of restrictions and economic response.
Understandably, the public have Coronavirus fatigue. I note from the tone of my mailbag that where people were once willing to put their faith and effort into the national sacrifice, as the weather begins to turn, a tone of reticence, and sometimes defiance, is creeping in. We must – together – turn the tide on this.
The Government's response to this crisis has been rooted in fairness. Over £200billion has been made available in one of the most comprehensive economic responses in the world - protecting jobs, incomes and businesses throughout the pandemic. This has been provided on the principle that just as the virus doesn't discriminate, nor should our resolve or response to it.
But as we move to a regional and local approach, I fear that core principle - of fairness - stands at risk.
Recent events risk injecting politics and division into the one part of our lives where we need it least right now.
This threatens not only the compact we have with the British people, but it also action to protect the public. It has created an outpouring of anger and envy. Politics has its place - and I have no right to pontificate about an elected representative not standing up for their community - but these discussions should be taken with an eye to the impact they will have on the national and local resolve to work as one to bear down on this virus. It is for both sides - Government and local leaders - to do so.
As local leaders elsewhere have shown, constructive talks can yield good results for their areas - supporting the local economy and providing surge funding for local track and trace efforts. And while I continue to make the argument to my RHF on the front bench that more could be done - especially for hospitality and events venues in places like Barrow & Furness - I firmly believe that these talks should take place in a spirit of co-operation rather than opposition.
We have an opportunity to restore trust and regain the momentum behind this collective effort.
As the pandemic has evolved, quite rightly so has the economic response to it. But we must also remember that our words and our actions resonate far beyond this place, and that if we are to maintain that bond of trust with the public, then we must find that common ground once again.
