I have deliberately not been political in any one of the twenty-three Coronavirus posts I have written on Facebook and my Website. However, there are beginning to be political demands for a lockdown exit strategy to be published and even that these should be revealed by Wednesday next week. Maybe that could be possible; after all who would not want the way ahead out of this crisis to be clear?
It is conceivable by next week that the daily mortality and infection statistics will have dived downwards indicating that we would be over the worst. But a lockdown exit strategy plan could be really counter-productive if we have not. We simply don’t know yet.
If such a plan was publicised it runs the risk of suggesting to all of us that we can start to relax and that the strictures we have placed on ourselves can be loosened. After all talk of an exit strategy before we have reached the peak of deaths risks confusing the critical message that people need to stay at home in order to save lives as well as to allow NHS expertise and facilities to be concentrated on fewer people who would thus stand a better chance of recovery.
Of course, people want to have an idea when life can return to normal. The vast majority of people have shown enormous self-discipline in the way they have responded to Government imposed restrictions. It would be easy for people to ignore them. After all, everyone can take one daily walk or run. Who is to know if that daily exercise is not repeated, goes on for ages or many miles even? Who is to say that a vital supply run for food or medicines is not used as an excuse for being out? Who is to say that being out for work isn’t crucial? Who knows where cars are going? It is impossible to police that if indeed the Metropolitan Police wanted to do so. In truth the vast majority of people have simply obeyed the clear rules set out by the Government and not torn the backside out of them. What self-discipline we can have when it is required – magnificent!
For my part I have now been officially told that as an MP I should not go up to Westminster on next Tuesday which marks the formal end of the parliamentary recess. To be straight that hugely disappoints me because I feel a major part of my job, at this moment of national crisis, requires my attendance in an effective session of the House of Commons.
Yesterday I received a message from the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle and the Conservative Chief Whip, Mark Spencer MP, saying that the Commons will sit but it will do so electronically. They both informed me that digital means are being devised for members to be able to participate in debates.
I do not know how that will work but will Mr Speaker be almost alone in the House of Commons Chamber facing into a camera for example? I suppose it is likely that a minister and shadow minister are with him in the Chamber placing themselves at least 2 metres away from Sir Lindsay or the clerks. Presumably the rest of us will be looking into hundreds of cameras and microphones on our machines in our homes up and down the country. I have also been told that the public will be able to watch proceedings on the BBC Parliamentary Channel (photo). How weird will all that be - but it’s better than nothing?
Apparently too Dominic Raab, standing in for the Prime Minister, is likely to announce tomorrow that the lockdown which began on 23 March has to be extended by another three weeks. I understand and get that – so too do the vast majority of the general public whose support for lockdown has been superb as I have already mentioned.
Last night a Number 10 spokesman stated: “Our strategy is focused on saving lives. We have been clear that all decisions will be guided by the scientific advice and data. Talk of an exit strategy before we have reached the peak risks confusing the critical message that people need to stay at home in order to protect our NHS and save lives.”
I agree with that. Reasons for the lockdown and support for it remains high locally. That I know. All of us accept the medical and scientific reasons rather than political reasons requiring it but, boy, but how we long for the restrictions to have an end date!