Franklin, Andrews, Kramer & Edelstein

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‘Selfish-isolation’: how politicians and public reacted to Boris Johnson’s U-turn

The PM and chancellor provoked a furious backlash before they U-turned and said they would isolate

Josh Halliday
Sun 18 Jul 2021 10.01 EDT
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jul/18/selfish-isolation-how-politicians-and-public-reacted-to-boris-johnson-u-turn

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak were forced into a hasty U-turn after a furious backlash over their attempt to avoid self-isolation by saying they were part of a pilot testing scheme. Anger at events on Sunday united Conservative and Labour MPs, business leaders and those who have lost loved ones to Covid-19.

Lobby Akinnola of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, whose father died from coronavirus last year: “It’s like this government has learned nothing since the Barnard Castle debacle. People all over the country are making huge sacrifices. They’re isolating when pinged because they know how important it is to protect people. But apparently Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak think the rules don’t apply to them.

“They’re putting people at risk and making a mockery of the sacrifice of others. The prime minister and his chancellor are supposed to be leading by example, but instead they think they get to pick and choose selfish-isolation over self-isolation. When will they realise the rules apply to them as much as the rest of us?”

Keir Starmer, Labour leader: “This Conservative government is in chaos. Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak tried to fix the rules yet again to benefit themselves. They only backtracked when they got found out. They’re like failed bankrobbers who only offered to give the money back because they’ve been caught.”

Gavin Barwell, former chief of staff to Theresa May and ex-Conservative minister: “They don’t seem to learn, do they? Most people don’t pay much attention to much of what goes on in SW1, but any sense of politicians not following the rules they expect everyone else to follow is guaranteed to cut through.”

Tim Montgomerie, former adviser to Boris Johnson and conservative commentator: “In reacting so negatively to Downing Street’s initial decision not to self-isolate I can’t remember many times when Twitter was so united. Something seriously wrong at the heart of this government.”

Andy Burnham, Labour mayor of Greater Manchester: “I’m sorry but this U-turn is nowhere near enough. As we go into tomorrow, much more grip, clarity and leadership is needed if we are to manage the risks. Ministers should start now and make a clear statement that masks will continue to be mandatory on all public transport.”

Anna Soubry, former Conservative minister: “This is what government looks like when it loses its moral compass and abandons values and principles. The world looks on in complete disbelief at what our country has become. These are the consequence of the Conservatives’ shift to the right and election of Boris Johnson. #WakeUpBritain”

David Gauke, former Conservative minister: “In my day, we did our U-turns over a few days, sometimes even over a few weeks … Wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn that it was Rishi Sunak who forced the U-turn. All a shambles but the quick retreat probably means not that much political damage done. But extraordinary that anyone thought it was viable.”

Sacha Lord, night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester: “Now that we have seen the PM and chancellor’s complete disregard for track and trace, they now urgently need to review it before 16 August. It’s crippling businesses and jobs across the UK. Tomorrow, people will being pinged left, right and centre. Utter madness.”

Charlotte Wilson, Twitter user: “I’m somewhat ashamed to say that my husband has just deleted the NHS track and trace app following the news that Johnson and Sunak have no intention of isolating having been pinged. The thing is though, who can blame him? Thousands are going to do the same.”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jul/18/selfish-isolation-how-politicians-and-public-reacted-to-boris-johnson-u-turn