Boris Johnson, on the left, was cycling in July.
Photographer: Rui Vieira / AFP via Getty Images
Photographer: Rui Vieira / AFP via Getty Images
Boris Johnson has a new enemy in his battle to convince the British public to follow the rules of blockade: himself.
On Sunday, the prime minister was seen on a bicycle, along with his security officers, on a bicycle in East London Olympic Park, 7 miles from its official Westminster residence.
Government guidelines say outdoor exercise should be limited and people should do so. stay in your local area. The prime minister and his team warned on Monday that a tougher shutdown may be needed if people continue to ignore the restrictions.
The episode, first reported by the capital’s Evening Standard newspaper, provoked a series of questions in Johnson’s office, which was unable to provide an explanatory statement of his trip.
In the end, it was up to Health Secretary Matt Hancock to give the prime minister some political coverage, saying a 7-mile outing is allowed to do some exercise. “It’s okay to go for a long walk or a bike ride,” Hancock said at a news conference. “But stay local.”
Dangerous
Still, Johnson remains open to criticism and the risks are multiple for a leader who has been the pandemic strategy marked by changes in a country that already takes a looser approach to coronavirus rules than its neighbors. A number of British politicians and public figures have been caught breaking the blockade since the pandemic began, leading some, but not all, to apologize or resign.
The prime minister’s bicycle trip could undermine his own government’s message of what he says is a “dangerous” time for the country, with the pandemic out of control and hospitals on the verge of being overwhelmed.
There are almost 82,000 people across the UK died of the disease (averaging 926 a day over the past week) and there are currently 32,294 treated in the hospital, Hancock said Monday. Although 2.2 million people have been vaccinated, more than anywhere else in Europe, ministers have urged the British not to be pleased.
The UK faces tougher blocking restrictions as covid infections soar
Johnson and his officials spent much of Monday asking people to follow the rules of staying at home, except for life trips, and supported police and supermarkets who took a hard line to enforce them.
If the public believes that the Prime Minister is bending the guidelines, one may wonder why he should take a responsible approach. This could lead to a new wave of rule-breaking and make it even worse the increase in infections.
Dr Richard Vautrey, chairman of the medical committee of the British Medical Association, says UK medical professionals are ready to meet vaccination targets, but the supply of vaccines is a big variable.
As his government’s chief spokesman, Johnson is also trying persuade the British population to be vaccinated in the coming weeks and months. This can also be more difficult if your credibility is damaged.
Politically, Johnson’s journey opens it Until double standard charges. Relive memories of the most infamous example of alleged breach of blockade rules, when his former adviser Dominic Cummings drove 250 miles to seek help caring for children at a time when he was being called to the rest of the country to stay home.
Keep Cummings
When that story exploded last May, Johnson loyally trapped by Cummings, refusing to dismiss him despite a public outcry and demanding his removal by his colleagues from the ruling Conservative party.
Cummings is now out of government, but at the time officials were concerned the damage the controversy would do to public compliance with the blocking rules. Pollsters say Cummings’ trip still appears regularly in discussion groups when restrictions are discussed.
Some of Johnson’s own party also fear he achieved long-term success their prospects. General elections are not to be held until 2024, but local contests are scheduled for May.
It’s still unclear how much fury Johnson’s Sunday afternoon bike ride will cause. One question his officials have not answered, for example, is whether he was driven to East London before riding a bicycle.
If more damaging details appear, the prime minister will face further criticism from his own party. Ultimately, voters could choose to punish him when they have the next chance.