THE CONSEQUENCES OF PRIME MINISTER’S QUESTIONS 20 MAY 2020


This morning a friend took me by surprise by texting “I don’t trust our government at the moment”

I never have trusted Johnson’s government.  PM Johnson is a habitual liar, which is well documented.

I used to watch virtually all the PM Questions of his predecessor.  Today was the first time I had watched Johnson’s in full.

In terms of expectation, I wasn’t disappointed.  But I am disappointed that this man is PM.  Not a matter of his politics, background or his beliefs – those are all separate matters.  But the man himself, and that lying has become endemic in his senior Ministers.  Continually being proven as liars, such as Starmer highlighted about Matt Hancock today about the supposed ring around care homes.

THE IMMIGRATION HEALTH SURCHARGE

Then came the crunch.  Johnson was questioned by Sir Keir Starmer on behalf of Labour and from the Scottish National Party., Johnson was insistent that carers from abroad would not be exempted from the substantial Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS services.  This is covered in the Immigration Bill currently progressing through Parliament. 

As Plaid Cymru’s health spokesperson, Ben Lake MP, has said.  The fact the government encouraged people to clap for carers while still applying the charge was “hypocrisy of the highest order”.

There appears to be some confusion about nurses, such as the two who saved Johnson’s life, from New Zealand and Portugal.  But the issue remains for other care workers.  

How could anyone be so callous?   How could anyone that callous take decisions for the good of the nation?

I had hoped that, despite my misgivings, we could get through this COVID-19 crisis without the added turmoil of a change of PM or change of government.  Not least because I despise some alternative PM candidates as much if not more.

Sadly it is now clear that such a change is essential.  The question is how, and who will become PM?  Should it be a GNU – Government of National Unity?

I welcome your thoughts.  Do add a comment below.

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