‘We don’t live in a totalitarian state!’ Saira Khan slams the government for announcing a second lockdown as she claims the nation shouldn’t ‘have to pay’ because of rule breakers
Saira Khan slammed the UK government for announcing a second lockdown, during an explosive row on Monday’s Loose Women.
The TV presenter, 50, claimed the nation shouldn’t be punished because of a ‘minority’ of rule breakers, as the UK is not ‘a totalitarian state’.
Getting into a fierce war of words with Andrea McLean, Brenda Edwards, and Gloria Hunniford, she said the coronavirus crisis and first lockdown already led to increased suicide rates, a lack of cancer treatments, and loss of funds to charities.
‘We don’t live in a totalitarian state!’ Saira Khan slammed the government for announcing a second lockdown in an explosive row on Monday’s Loose Women
As Gloria asked her for an answer to the rising rate of COVID-19 infections in the country, Saira said: ‘I’m not saying I have the answer, I’m giving a different approach.
‘As far as I’m concerned, charities are losing money, suicides are going through the roof, people have lost the opportunity to have cancer treatments.
‘Sorry but that’s not a balanced approach in our country. Lockdown does not provide that,’ she hit out.
Hitting out: Getting into a explosive debate with her co-panellists, Saira said the first lockdown led to increased suicide rates, a lack of cancer treatments, and lose of funds to charities
Gloria said in response to Saira: ‘This is such a world issue. Saira, I respect you a lot and your business.
‘You or nobody else has the ultimate answer. This is a huge problem. The government has worked hard to make sure the furlough continues.’
The TV presenter went on to ask Saira if she had ‘the answer’ to the global pandemic, given she was so against there being another lockdown.
She claimed: ‘I’ve just given you the answer! The answer is not go into full lockdown!’
Andrea agreed that several businesses which will be made to close once again were ‘abiding by the law’ and rules set out by the government.
And Saira continued: ‘I get that, we shouldn’t allow that to happen. But that’s where the government can put in protocol to break these raves up.’
Andrea then stepped in, saying: ‘So what I’m saying is, and I’m hearing all your opinions, I’m necessarily coming down on either side here, but surely you can see there comes a point where the government goes you know what, we’re going to have to just shut everything down.’
Getting frustrated, Saira said loudly: ‘We don’t live in a totalitarian state! If you live in China, the government’s going to tell you what to do you’re going to do it.
‘We are a very different nation of people and it’s different policies for different cultures and people, and we have to find a way that is very balanced and find a way to keep people’s lives going in a safe environment.
‘You can’t say the majority of people didn’t pay respect to it. It’s a minority of people causing the problems and the whole nation shouldn’t have to pay for that.’
Discussing how the public can help during the second lockdown, Brenda said: ‘People need to take personal responsibility. If you want to get out of this, do something about it.
‘If you’re a member of parliament, stick to these guidelines and everyone will follow your example.’