Time to trust the people, but not the scientists, urges Jacob Rees-Mogg
Football matches are continuing to go ahead despite the Omicron surge
Football matches are continuing to go ahead despite the Omicron surge
ADAM DAVY/PA
Steven Swinford, Political Editor
Tuesday December 21 2021, 12.01am, The Times
Ministers have discussed banning large live events such as football matches and concerts if the Omicron variant continues to surge.
Boris Johnson held a two-hour cabinet meeting yesterday to consider further restrictions. Most ministers opposed new curbs and he delayed a decision, in effect saving the Christmas plans of millions as it would take 48 hours for parliament to be recalled.
However, several ministers are understood to have suggested a ban on large events if Omicron cases continue to climb, rather than more sweeping restrictions. The option is one of several in reserve for after Christmas.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the Commons, said the government should trust people to do the right thing rather than introduce further restrictions. He said many people had voluntarily changed their behaviour as the threat posed by Omicron became clear.
The prime minister said Rees-Mogg’s argument was interesting but asked how he would justify his approach at a press conference. He said that as prime minister he had to look after everyone’s health. Rees-Mogg is understood to have responded: “I would stand up and say I respect them for doing the right thing.” The prime minister is said to have suggested that this would not be enough if the NHS were at risk of being overwhelmed.
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Rees-Mogg is also understood to have criticised official modelling suggesting that without further action 3,000 Omicron patients a day could need a hospital bed. He asked if Johnson had read an article by Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator, questioning the assumptions behind the data.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, is said to have responded directly to Rees-Mogg that the modelling had included scenarios where the Omicron variant was deemed less severe than the Delta variant.
Sajid Javid, the health secretary, is said to have been the most cautious, highlighting the modelling and the impact that 3,000 admissions a day would have on hospitals. He did not, however, explicitly push for restrictions now.
He said that not making a decision about restrictions was itself a decision, given the rising number of people with Omicron and increasing hospital admissions in London. He agreed that although there were gaps in the data and uncertainty, there could be no dispute that Omicron was spreading quickly.
Javid updated the meeting on the booster campaign, antivirals and efforts to build NHS capacity and said officials were drawing up plans for Nightingale hospitals in existing hospitals’ grounds.
Rishi Sunak attempted to defer to others by saying the prime minister had heard enough of his views. However, after being further prompted by Johnson, he gave a brief speech.
Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, had to leave before adding anything.
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, was said to have been the strongest opponent of further restrictions, insisting that more data was needed on the severity of Omicron before a lockdown could be justified.
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Johnson’s delay on a decision will avert the threat of resignations by cabinet ministers in the short term. However, if he pushes ahead with plans for a two-week circuit breaker next week he is likely to meet significant resistance.
Ministers have been emboldened by Lord Frost, who quit as Brexit minister on Saturday over Covid restrictions and the direction of the government.
The options
Guidance The prime minister would continue to advise people to be cautious and to limit social contact with others, avoiding a confrontation with Tory MPs.
Banning live events Ministers discussed banning concerts and football matches if Omicron continues to spread.
A circuit-breaker Officials have drawn up plans for a two-week circuit breaker that would start next week, banning household mixing.
A full lockdown In the worst case scenario ministers are considering a full lockdown, but they remain scarred by the impact of the last lockdown on businesses and people’s lives. Seen as very unlikely.
Haunted Victorian Pencils are no basis for the formulation of public health policy.
If hospitals get overwhelmed, we’ll be locked down faster than you can say it.
Next up we’ll get DIY ventilators off Raab’s best mate.
Having not trusted the scientists it’s now time to change strategy to not trusting the scientists…
Take it from America: trusting the people is the worst thing you could possibly do.
“It’s time to trust the people to do the right thing” – government who can’t be trusted to do the right thing
Apparently the people voted for Brexit, not so sure this is a good strategy.
The people voted for the Nazis and listen to Coldplay. You can’t trust people.
Jacob Rees Mogg opens mouth to once again prove what a terrible person he is. End of article.
Truly vomit inducing seeing populist politicians talking like this. “Oh the British public. They’re so wonderful. They’re so smart and resistant.”
Patronising tosh.
I hate it only slightly less than “The British people aren’t interested in {{this inconvenient scandal}}. What the British people want is {{something I want/this convenient distraction}}”
People will invariably not do the right thing and this fascist fucknugget of a posho Bash Street Kids insert will condemn the people for not taking responsibility when it goes tits up again.
It’s a shame england would fall over themselves to vote this man into power given the chance. Nothing is more beloved than sneering privately educated condescension from your betters.
The haunted pencil, not satisfied with keeping the poor poor and the ignorant ignorant wants to cull a few more souls.
He really is Satan’s lanky helper
Time to get rid of the tory’s and this lanky muppet.
Lord Snooty is the most laughable figure in the government, absolute caricature with his snooty attire and snooty attitude. Cartoon sketch depiction of a Public School snob appearing in real life.
I would argue the majority of people in this Country do not agree with the views of Rees-Mogg
Are you fucking kidding me Mogg? They elected you and certainty aren’t to be trusted. I’ll take the scientists.
He’s a Brexiter and we all know what Brexiter MPs think about experts.
Yes, because that worked out so well last time. I’m definitely going to listen to Dave from down the pub on complicated and intricate scientific matters as his brick laying experience completely trumps years of study and a PhD.
‘Listen to the people, we’ve already proven we can very easily manipulate them into doing and thinking what we want, help us push our Tory future through social engineering!’
18 comments
Time to trust the people, but not the scientists, urges Jacob Rees-Mogg
Football matches are continuing to go ahead despite the Omicron surge
Football matches are continuing to go ahead despite the Omicron surge
ADAM DAVY/PA
Steven Swinford, Political Editor
Tuesday December 21 2021, 12.01am, The Times
Ministers have discussed banning large live events such as football matches and concerts if the Omicron variant continues to surge.
Boris Johnson held a two-hour cabinet meeting yesterday to consider further restrictions. Most ministers opposed new curbs and he delayed a decision, in effect saving the Christmas plans of millions as it would take 48 hours for parliament to be recalled.
However, several ministers are understood to have suggested a ban on large events if Omicron cases continue to climb, rather than more sweeping restrictions. The option is one of several in reserve for after Christmas.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the Commons, said the government should trust people to do the right thing rather than introduce further restrictions. He said many people had voluntarily changed their behaviour as the threat posed by Omicron became clear.
The prime minister said Rees-Mogg’s argument was interesting but asked how he would justify his approach at a press conference. He said that as prime minister he had to look after everyone’s health. Rees-Mogg is understood to have responded: “I would stand up and say I respect them for doing the right thing.” The prime minister is said to have suggested that this would not be enough if the NHS were at risk of being overwhelmed.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rees-Mogg is also understood to have criticised official modelling suggesting that without further action 3,000 Omicron patients a day could need a hospital bed. He asked if Johnson had read an article by Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator, questioning the assumptions behind the data.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, is said to have responded directly to Rees-Mogg that the modelling had included scenarios where the Omicron variant was deemed less severe than the Delta variant.
Sajid Javid, the health secretary, is said to have been the most cautious, highlighting the modelling and the impact that 3,000 admissions a day would have on hospitals. He did not, however, explicitly push for restrictions now.
He said that not making a decision about restrictions was itself a decision, given the rising number of people with Omicron and increasing hospital admissions in London. He agreed that although there were gaps in the data and uncertainty, there could be no dispute that Omicron was spreading quickly.
Javid updated the meeting on the booster campaign, antivirals and efforts to build NHS capacity and said officials were drawing up plans for Nightingale hospitals in existing hospitals’ grounds.
Rishi Sunak attempted to defer to others by saying the prime minister had heard enough of his views. However, after being further prompted by Johnson, he gave a brief speech.
Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, had to leave before adding anything.
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, was said to have been the strongest opponent of further restrictions, insisting that more data was needed on the severity of Omicron before a lockdown could be justified.
ADVERTISEMENT
Johnson’s delay on a decision will avert the threat of resignations by cabinet ministers in the short term. However, if he pushes ahead with plans for a two-week circuit breaker next week he is likely to meet significant resistance.
Ministers have been emboldened by Lord Frost, who quit as Brexit minister on Saturday over Covid restrictions and the direction of the government.
The options
Guidance The prime minister would continue to advise people to be cautious and to limit social contact with others, avoiding a confrontation with Tory MPs.
Banning live events Ministers discussed banning concerts and football matches if Omicron continues to spread.
A circuit-breaker Officials have drawn up plans for a two-week circuit breaker that would start next week, banning household mixing.
A full lockdown In the worst case scenario ministers are considering a full lockdown, but they remain scarred by the impact of the last lockdown on businesses and people’s lives. Seen as very unlikely.
Haunted Victorian Pencils are no basis for the formulation of public health policy.
If hospitals get overwhelmed, we’ll be locked down faster than you can say it.
Next up we’ll get DIY ventilators off Raab’s best mate.
Having not trusted the scientists it’s now time to change strategy to not trusting the scientists…
Take it from America: trusting the people is the worst thing you could possibly do.
“It’s time to trust the people to do the right thing” – government who can’t be trusted to do the right thing
Apparently the people voted for Brexit, not so sure this is a good strategy.
The people voted for the Nazis and listen to Coldplay. You can’t trust people.
Jacob Rees Mogg opens mouth to once again prove what a terrible person he is. End of article.
Truly vomit inducing seeing populist politicians talking like this. “Oh the British public. They’re so wonderful. They’re so smart and resistant.”
Patronising tosh.
I hate it only slightly less than “The British people aren’t interested in {{this inconvenient scandal}}. What the British people want is {{something I want/this convenient distraction}}”
People will invariably not do the right thing and this fascist fucknugget of a posho Bash Street Kids insert will condemn the people for not taking responsibility when it goes tits up again.
It’s a shame england would fall over themselves to vote this man into power given the chance. Nothing is more beloved than sneering privately educated condescension from your betters.
The haunted pencil, not satisfied with keeping the poor poor and the ignorant ignorant wants to cull a few more souls.
He really is Satan’s lanky helper
Time to get rid of the tory’s and this lanky muppet.
Lord Snooty is the most laughable figure in the government, absolute caricature with his snooty attire and snooty attitude. Cartoon sketch depiction of a Public School snob appearing in real life.
I would argue the majority of people in this Country do not agree with the views of Rees-Mogg
Are you fucking kidding me Mogg? They elected you and certainty aren’t to be trusted. I’ll take the scientists.
He’s a Brexiter and we all know what Brexiter MPs think about experts.
Yes, because that worked out so well last time. I’m definitely going to listen to Dave from down the pub on complicated and intricate scientific matters as his brick laying experience completely trumps years of study and a PhD.
‘Listen to the people, we’ve already proven we can very easily manipulate them into doing and thinking what we want, help us push our Tory future through social engineering!’