Keir Starmer roasts Johnson for ignoring scientists’ lockdown advice for WEEKS

Boris Johnson was today roasted by Keir Starmer for wasting weeks refusing to lock down England while the death toll spiralled – before performing an embarrassing U-turn. In a statement to the Commons, the PM insisted cases were now surging so high there was ‘no alternative’ to the month-long blanket restrictions across England. He warned … Read more

Boris Johnson begs Tory MPs to keep faith in his coronavirus strategy

Timeline of the PM’s lockdown decision  Friday, 7am: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab begins a round of broadcast interviews defending the government’s ‘Tiered’ system of local lockdowns.   Friday 2.30pm: Sir Patrick Vallance underlines SAGE’s call for a national lockdown at a briefing with reporters, saying it is ‘not too late to save Christmas’. Friday 3pm: Papers are … Read more

Anger that blood-curdling briefing on lockdown ‘bounced’ PM into action

Timeline of the PM’s lockdown decision  Friday, 7am: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab begins a round of broadcast interviews defending the government’s ‘Tiered’ system of local lockdowns.   Friday 2.30pm: Sir Patrick Vallance underlines SAGE’s call for a national lockdown at a briefing with reporters, saying it is ‘not too late to save Christmas’. Friday 3pm: Papers are … Read more

Boris Johnson will tell MPs today that Covid deaths will be ‘TWICE as bad’ as Spring

Boris Johnson will today try to head off a mounting Tory revolt against his nationwide lockdown by warning coronavirus deaths this winter could double the amount of the first wave.  The Prime Minister is set to use a statement to the Commons this afternoon to say there is ‘no alternative’ but to impose four weeks … Read more

Boris Johnson faces Tory rebellion over second coronavirus lockdown

Boris Johnson was facing a Tory rebellion last night over his new national lockdown. Many of his own MPs were outraged by the revelation that the restrictions could last much longer than the planned four weeks – and potentially even run into spring with a brief easing over Christmas. Some indicated they would oppose the measures … Read more

Coronavirus UK: Tory civil war as anti-lockdown MPs accuse PM of being ‘bounced’ into shutdown

Furious anti-lockdown Tory MPs last night accused Boris Johnson of allowing himself to be bounced into an England-wide shutdown after No10 binned its three-tier Covid-19 alert system.   Conservatives were outraged that plans to plunge the country into a second shutdown were leaked to the Saturday papers, including the Mail, before the Prime Minister’s announcement in … Read more

UK lockdown announced amid Tory MPs’ rows over economic impact

Boris Johnson finally arrived at the Downing Street podium yesterday, his press conference had been delayed four times over three hours. The Prime Minister had been forced to telescope two days of preparations for the expected Monday announcement into one afternoon following a leak to yesterday’s papers – and amid claims of chaos and infighting … Read more

Coronavirus England: Non-essential shops shut in second lockdown

Key points in COVID lockdown Mark 2  Restrictions will start at midnight on Thursday morning and last until December 2.  People can only leave their homes for specific reasons, such as to do essential shopping, for outdoor exercise, and for work if they are unable to work from home. Non-essential shops will be told to shut, … Read more

UK Coronavirus Lockdown: Boris Johnson faces revolt from Tory MPs

Boris Johnson effectively took the country back to square one tonight as he unveiled a dramatic new national month-long lockdown – ordering the public to stay at home.  After weeks insisting he is sticking to local restrictions, the PM completed an humiliating U-turn by announcing blanket coronavirus restrictions for England at a prime-time press conference alongside … Read more

Labour takes FIVE-POINT poll leader over Tories as Boris Johnson’s personal approval rating plummets

Labour takes FIVE-POINT leader over Tories in the polls as Boris Johnson’s personal approval rating falls to the WORST of his premiership amid increasing pessimism over the economy Ipsos MORI poll today puts Labour on 42% (+5) and the Tories on 37% (-3) Boris Johnson’s personal popularity has also taken a battering PM has net … Read more