On Saturday 14 March, Jeremy Corbyn wrote to Boris Johnson regarding the coronavirus pandemic. The Labour leader urged the PM to introduce a series of measures to help stave-off the worst effects of the situation. But Corbyn’s measured and sensible response stands in stark contrast to the government’s.
Coronavirus: Corbyn speaks
As of 4pm on Sunday 15 March, there had been another 14 deaths related to coronavirus in the UK, taking the total to 35:
14 more people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total deaths to 35 https://t.co/7HRjoAukCv pic.twitter.com/uyqYdpheZq
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) March 15, 2020
Corbyn wrote to Johnson outlining Labour’s current position:
I've written to Boris Johnson calling for emergency support for people affected by the coronavirus epidemic, including rent deferrals and mortgage holidays, higher statutory sick pay from day one, and income protection for insecure, low-paid and self-employed workers. pic.twitter.com/7PDyZN6OiT
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 14, 2020
Perhaps the most important was the Labour leader’s proposed measures.
Act fast. Act now.
Corbyn called for various measures. These included:
- Every worker having sick pay from day one. This includes self-employed people. The government should consider funding this for all.
- Raising sick pay in line with the rest of Europe. Currently, the UK has the second-worst rate of sick pay in the EU.
- Letting people take breaks from paying their mortgage or rent, with no threats of eviction.
- Forcing the DWP to stop making people attend Universal Credit appointments; stop sanctions and claimant commitments and immediately reduce the five-week wait for a first Universal Credit payment.
- Supporting food banks.
These measures should, in theory, be crucial. Not least because around 14 million people in the UK already live in poverty. So, aside from the immediate health risks, the government should be shielding the financially precarious from being plunged into even further destitution. That’s a catastrophe that could last well after the effects of coronavirus have left the UK.
Sweeping new powers
The Labour leader also urged the PM to consult his party on new legislation. He said in the letter:
I am now writing to request a meeting with you to discuss the crisis and for urgent sight of the draft legislation, so that the Opposition, in the public interest can feed in proposals or amendments in advance of the parliamentary process
There have been media reports that the Tories are planning to bring in sweeping new powers to tackle coronavirus. These include:
- Letting police detain people who may be infected.
- Closing ports.
- Forcing schools to stay open or close them.
- Letting councils reduce the levels of support in care homes.
But the move has already sparked controversy.
Feeding the lobby?
Corbyn’s letter continued:
this crisis demands political as well as scientific judgements and clearer public communication based on greater transparency
Again, the government has been criticised for not giving regular updates and allowing the corporate press to relay its messages for it. As writer Charlie Brooker tweeted:
That such life-or-death stuff is being passed to lobby journalists with no scientific background, rather than explained directly to the public by the govt is bewildering and obscene. https://t.co/Hjt9wd3HE1
— Charlie Brooker (@charltonbrooker) March 14, 2020
Author and campaigner Liam Young also noted:
https://twitter.com/liamyoung/status/1239154010193625088
#HighRiskCOVID-19
Corbyn then moved on to the people most at risk in society. He said:
Any legislation introduced should be rigorously tested by an equality impact assessment and include a financial care package for those groups who are forced into self-isolation and during a period of illness and self-isolation.
On 15 March, people from around the world were sharing their stories about the impact they could face using #HighRiskCOVID-19:
https://twitter.com/jessiePinay/status/1239021332257366017
https://twitter.com/CourtneyLyn4128/status/1239000434011975681
But so far, the UK government has only said that people aged 70 and over may have to self-isolate. It has not factored in any other high-risk groups.
Moreover, the Tories have previously been unconcerned by impact assessments of their policies. For example, if the government can’t do them for social security – can Corbyn expect them for coronavirus?
Fingers-in-ears
The Labour leader’s call-to-action is strong. But will the government listen? The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already slammed the Tories’ response to coronavirus. So far, it appears to have fallen on deaf ears.
Corbyn’s plan seems measured, timely, and moreover supports those in society most at risk; not only from coronavirus but the economic impact of it as well. Labour’s stance should shame the Tories into action. But given their ‘fingers-in-their-ears’ approach to coronavirus so far – that’s a highly unlikely scenario.
Featured image via France 24 – YouTube
