Then three days before Christmas, the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) suggested evidence showed infections would soar if schools were allowed to open as normal. Conservative MPs are united in their deep frustration at the chaos – but are split on its root cause. Many blame the government’s communications’ strategy, which has never fully recovered since cabinet ministers were ordered to defend Dominic Cummings as a model father after he was accused of flouting lockdown rules. But communications chaos alone does not explain the flip-flopping and about-turns when it comes to policy and strategy, critics say. Though the UK is in a bleak situation, some MPs who blame communications say the government’s strategy and policy have not differed hugely from other countries that have also found themselves in deep difficulties.

Source: The Guardian January 04, 2021 17:15 UTC