Boris Johnson returns: is it too early to call UK lockdown a ‘success’?
Prime minister accused of ‘epic dishonesty’ for his claim of ‘apparent success’
Boris Johnson spoke outside No. 10 for the first time since recovering from the Covid-19 coronavirus yesterday, claiming “we are now beginning to turn the tide” on the disease.
During his address, Johnson said: “I know that there will be many people looking now at our apparent success, and beginning to wonder whether now is the time to go easy on those social distancing measures.”
The prime minister’s claim of success has proven to be highly contentious. The Independent’s political sketch writer Tom Peck wrote: “Excuse me prime minister? ‘Apparent success’? Who is looking at your apparent success exactly?”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Peck argued that “there is absolutely no disputing whatsoever the certain fact that Johnson and Donald Trump stand alone on the world stage in their crushing failure to manage the response to coronavirus”. Therefore, Peck says, Johnson’s words “showed that his idea of his government’s ‘success’ is as skewed as it ever was”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced takeon the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The Guardian’s political correspondent Kate Proctor wrote that Johnson’s claim of success will be “controversial”. She pointed to “the problems getting personal protective equipment to the health and care workers who need it, and concerns over the government’s slow response on testing”.
Proctor notes that the government’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said a death toll under 20,000 would “be a good result” and points out that the UK “has already passed that”.
LBC’s James O’Brien said there is “epic dishonesty involved in claiming that we have enjoyed anything that could have been described as a success” because “around 45,000 people have died in the UK, compared with fewer than 6,000 in Germany”.
Piers Morgan, a fierce critic of the government’s handling of the crisis, was also took issue with Johnson’s claims of success, writing on Twitter: “Our death toll is heading to be the 2nd worst in the world. This is not a ‘success’, Prime Minister - apparent or otherwise.”
Eyebrows were raised across the Atlantic. CNN says Johnson’s government has “faced criticism for its handling of the disease, particularly whether it took the virus seriously enough in the early stages of transmission in the UK”.
However, Johnson champion Tim Montgomerie was more admiring, tweeting of the PM’s address: “That was the much more serious Boris that these times demand”.
The Daily Telegraph’s Tom Harris wrote that Johnson’s words have “shown up his showboating critics” and made the “hysterical tantrums” of his opponents look “out of place”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Chas Newkey-Burden has been part of The Week Digital team for more than a decade and a journalist for 25 years, starting out on the irreverent football weekly 90 Minutes, before moving to lifestyle magazines Loaded and Attitude. He was a columnist for The Big Issue and landed a world exclusive with David Beckham that became the weekly magazine’s bestselling issue. He now writes regularly for The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, FourFourTwo and the i new site. He is also the author of a number of non-fiction books.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 4, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - reflections in the pond, riding shotgun, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 high-caliber cartoons about Kristi Noem shooting her puppy
Cartoons Artists take on the rainbow bridge, a farm upstate, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Why is the world running low on blood?
Podcast Scientists believe universal donor blood is within reach – plus, the row over an immersive D-Day simulation, and an Ozempic faux pas
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
Less than total recall
Editor's Letter Why our brains want to forget the darkest days of the pandemic
By Theunis Bates Published
-
'A wonky bureaucratic tweak has dramatically changed how Americans drive'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published