I have been challenged quite a few times (by e mail) about what the ‘Stay Alert’ slogan, introduced by Boris Johnson on Sunday evening, really means. The originators of those mails have suggested that the words ‘Stay Alert’ are ‘meaningless’, ‘shallow’ and ‘unclear’. Well I beg to differ. Staying alert seems pretty clear to me.
It means just what it says. Stay alert to any dangers that you may encounter and particularly stay alert to be 2 metres apart from anyone you may meet who is not from your own household. If we go out each of us must be personally responsible for our actions and vigilant in obeying the rules. That is simple common sense. After all we all know the basics of protecting ourselves and others now.
Inevitably some people will criticise anything the Government does – especially on Twitter (which I abhor) and even Facebook (rarely do I reply to rude comments on anything I post because it simply starts a storm). However, many of accusations thrown towards the Government at the moment really sadden me. Whatever anyone may think of Boris Johnson and his Government surely nobody really believes they are not trying their very best for the country? Some people have even made the appalling accusation that Boris Johnson is happy for the elderly to die off as it will cost the Government less (one e mail to me). That is quite honestly a frightful comment and whoever made it should be utterly ashamed.
Right now, party political point-scoring should be set aside. I have to say that Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party is largely doing that to his credit. But some others, including MPs, are not. As a politician I have to get used to the fact that there are people who just hate me. The fact is that some folk simply utterly despise me because I am a Conservative. It is also possible that they simply loathe me as a person without ever having met me. That comes with the MP territory - and it happens to MPs on all sides.
As an ex-soldier who has served in Northern Ireland I am used to hate. I recall the first-time someone spat in my face. It was in Londonderry during 1970 and I was a twenty-year old Army officer. I was ordered to do nothing but stand there while spittle ran down my cheeks. In truth, I have been insulted by experts so I should be used to brickbats by now. But, nonetheless, they still penetrate and hurt.
For instance, at the moment, by e mail I am accused repeatedly of taking £10,000 allocated by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) to assist setting up home offices for myself and my staff. The money was not put in my bank account and any charge on it as an expense must be justified with receipts as must every parliamentary claim. But, for the record, I have not asked for a penny of that £10,000. Neither has any member of my staff. People who throw the stones probably realise that but it matters little to them. They wish to denigrate regardless of the facts and some mud always sticks regardless of the truth.
Getting back to Coronavirus directly it is absolutely true that both the Black Death and the Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1919 - 20 were worse. The Black Death killed half the population of London and 228,000 people died in the UK.
The difference to those tragedies is that there was very little the then authorities could do about it. They simply had to go with the devastating way that the Plague and Spanish Flu spread.
Now we have far more medical and scientific knowledge as well as drugs and equipment to deal with the situation. So, the present Government can try to do something but, with little precedent to guide, it is feeling its way to make the right decisions in the best interests of everyone.
One of the reasons why lockdown was delayed was because the Government didn’t think the public would accept it until deaths started to rise. Maybe our political leaders got that wrong. The public have been remarkably acquiescent and obedient on lockdown. I think that public acceptance of restrictions some 7 weeks ago has guided the most recent decisions made by the Prime Minister. He has pushed some decision-making back to the people but asks that the public acts with common sense and restraint when they are out of their safe home environment.
Should someone go and see their Grannie? Well, yes – keeping some distance apart though. I agree that will be very difficult for children who naturally rush for a cuddle but that is where common sense comes in. If that is likely to happen please do not do it is the injunction. All sorts of situations will occur and people should simply use their nous.
I know I am a technological dinosaur but this crisis has made me sort myself out a little. I haven’t managed to speak and see our daughters, Julie in Southampton and Delphine at RAF Coningsby via FaceTime (yesterday). Amazing - imagine that only a few years ago? Although it is obviously not the same as being there it is far better than nothing and I reckon most people are using such a system to see their families.
Life is getting better. No doubt about that. But getting even better will depend on how we use our common sense to ensure that the infection rate of this wretched disease does not rise once more. The Prime Minister is taking a gamble just lifting restrictions a little. The chances of success will be much improved if we all act sensibly. No doubt Boris Johnson, like all of us, will be watching avidly to ensure that this Coronavirus monster is not encouraged by the changes and does not rear up again.
Finally, may I recommend that people watch the Mayor Making ceremony which takes place at 6.30pm tonight? It is being done virtually and Councillor Nicholas Bennett MA JP will be handing over to Councillor Hannah Gray. The link is as follows: www.bromley.gov.uk/councilmeetingslive and I personally will watch with great interest.