EMMA LEWELL-BUCK: PM is failing test of delivering safe plan for easing lockdown

The Government is disrespecting us. Day after day, the Prime Minister, Secretaries of State and Ministers treat the daily updates as an opportunity to make announcements, set targets (Targets they habitually miss), and congratulate themselves at their handling of this pandemic.

They are evading scrutiny by refusing to engage with some news outlets such as Good Morning Britain and Channel 4. They are delaying responses to written questions and letters from Members of Parliament who are raising valid and serious concerns on behalf of their constituents.

In the last two weeks they have pushed through legislation in the Virtual Parliament that gives them sweeping powers to evade future Parliamentary scrutiny and next week the House isn’t sitting at all as they enforce recess.

The daily press conferences and PMQs should be an opportunity for the Government to share with us exactly what they are doing to combat the outbreak, coupled with some actual honesty and contrition. That is what mature, grown-up, serious Prime Ministers and leaders across the world have been doing. We only need to look to New Zealand for that.

Instead, we’ve had Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, claiming success in launching apps (That few can subscribe to), building Nightingale Hospitals (That have not been used) and then having the audacity to claim that they have built a ‘protective ring’ around care homes.

This ‘protective ring’ consisted of guidance that advocated people with coronavirus being discharged into care homes, where there were other vulnerable residents and staff, without appropriate PPE.

There have been over 11000 deaths in care homes that we know of and I have had many heartbreaking conversations with the relatives of those who have died in our care homes here in South Shields and also the dedicated staff who cared for them.

The Prime Minister is failing in the test of leadership. He is failing at delivering a coherent and safe plan for the easing of lockdown. It is little wonder that the devolved nations, MPs and many council leaders, particularly those in coastal and tourist areas such as ours across the county, are rejecting the meaningless ‘Stay Alert’ message and urging people to continue to ‘Stay at Home’. Staying alert against a virus you can’t see is utter nonsense.

This mixed messaging is difficult for my constituents, but please remember, the North East has the highest rate of coronavirus infection in the country and South Tyneside the third highest rate of infections in the North East. Please remember that testing has still not been fully rolled out. Tracking, tracing and isolating isn’t in place and there is no vaccine.

I know our local economy is suffering and people are keen to get back to work but a second spike will cost us more. Every single action and decision made now can cost a life. It’s a risk too precious and too big to take right now, so please until our infection rate here drops continue to Stay Home, Save Lives and Protect the NHS.