‘BREXIT BRIEF’ – ISSUE 117, 1 May 2020

Johnson reappears – then disappears

Boris Johnson returned to work this week following a prolonged stay in hospital and several weeks of recuperation after contracting coronavirus. But, despite being “back at his desk” for five days, the country has only heard from him twice. (He had a reasonable excuse not to take part in Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday after becoming a father yet again that morning).  

His first appearance came on Monday when he delivered an update on his Government’s efforts to tackle coronavirus. By convention, when Parliament is sitting, such an important statement should be made in the House of Commons to allow MPs to ask questions. But Johnson chose to aim his remarks at a fixed camera outside 10 Downing Street, before ignoring follow-up queries from journalists as he scuttled back inside.  His central message to the British people was to be patient at a time of national crisis. It was in stark contrast to his approach throughout the entire Brexit process of seeking to drive the country he now leads off the nearest cliff at the earliest opportunity. There was no mention of Brexit in his remarks, nor the impending deadline to seek an extension to the transition period which is now just 60 days away. He also neglected to refer to it yesterday during his second public appearance of the week when he fronted the daily UK Government briefing on Covid-19. The indications are that we are unlikely to see or hear from him again for several more days.  It is not known if this period will count towards his paternity leave. 

Whilst Johnson has not sought to calm the frazzled nerves of business – already in a deep state of worry because of coronavirus – by indicating he is prepared to consider an extension, his two most senior Vote Leave campaign colleagues in Government have chosen to do the opposite.  Giving evidence to a Select Committee on Monday, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said he believed that securing a trade deal with the EU before 31 December was “entirely possible.” And, to the distaste of many observers, he argued that the coronavirus pandemic should be viewed as an opportunity for the UK. Gove said: “I think the Covid crisis, in some respects, should concentrate the minds of EU negotiators, reinforcing the vital importance of coming to a conclusion.” Deputising for Johnson at Prime Minister’s Questions, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also made his unswervingly ideological views crystal clear. “The transition period ends on 31 December - that is enshrined in law and there is no intention of changing that,” he said in his usual menacing tone. “The right thing for us to do is to double down and get a deal by the end of this year.” So, his chief Brexiteer lieutenants are not for turning. What about you Boris Johnson?   Historians will judge your actions - but those living in the present will bear the consequences.

Tory donor has his say    

As I write, news has broken of a particularly interesting interview given by a Ukrainian-born billionaire named Alexander Temerko who has donated ￡1.3 million to Tory coffers in recent times.  On his personal website, he says he “has been a member and valued supporter of the UK Conservative Party since 2012,” and “is a member of the Party’s Leader Group.”   

Speaking to Sky News, Temerko called on Boris Johnson to extend the Brexit transition timetable. "We don't know what kind of deal [will emerge],” he said. “If we leave, we don't know what rules [we will have to follow]. We should extend for one year.” He also appealed to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary Priti Patel to rethink their calamitous plans for a points-based immigration system.  "I think our immigration policy needs a big change,” said.  “My message not only to Boris Johnson but to the Home Secretary is that we need to think about immigration policy.”  There has been no response to Temerko’s comments from Tory HQ or Downing Street. But you can be certain that they were listening.

Meanwhile in America…

At the end of an awful week in which the number of American coronavirus infections passed 1.1 million, including almost 64,000 deaths, and domestic unemployment reached levels not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s, Donald Trump was in characteristic need of an enemy to divert attention from his failings. Last night he chose China as his target, although the signs were already there.  He warmed up his base supporters on Wednesday when he told the Reuters news agency that the Chinese Government "will do anything they can" to stop him from being re-elected in November.  Yesterday, he followed up by telling members of the White House Press Corps he had seen evidence that Covid-19 originated in a Chinese laboratory.  

Hours earlier, the US National Intelligence Director's office said it was still investigating how the virus began.  However, in a rare public statement, the office said it had determined the disease "was not manmade or genetically modified." But Trump claimed he knew better.  He was asked by a reporter: “Have you seen anything at this point that gives you a high degree of confidence that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the origin of this virus?” The President responded: “Yes, I have. Yes, I have.”  Asked by another journalist to clarify what he knew, he said: "I can't tell you that. I'm not allowed to tell you that." With reports circulating in Washington DC that he has instructed administration officials to “punish” China on numerous fronts over the coronavirus outbreak, Trump’s war of words with his latest foe seems set to intensify.   

Stay safe and enjoy your weekend.

Jason

Dr Jason Aldiss BEM BVSc MRCVS

Managing Director, Eville & Jones

 You can follow me on Twitter @JasonAldiss