Matthew Taylor

Sunday shows round-up: Boris – behave ‘fearlessly with common sense’

Credit: BBC

Boris Johnson – People must behave ‘fearlessly but with common sense’

The Prime Minister joined Andrew Marr this morning, and inevitably the interview began with a focus on Covid-19 and the government’s efforts to suppress the virus. Johnson’s key message for the public was one of stoicism, saying that the virus would still be hovering around for a long time yet, and that the UK needed to adapt itself accordingly:



BJ: We have to keep our economy moving and keep our society going… What we want people to do is behave fearlessly, but with common sense… To follow the guidance, whether national or local, get the virus down, but allow us as a country to continue without priorities… as far as we possibly can.



The road will be ‘bumpy through to Christmas’

Marr challenged Johnson on the impact of the local restrictions to combat the virus, with several council areas in the north of England having introduced still tighter measures over the past week. He highlighted Manchester and Oldham, where the number of cases had continued to rise, despite lengthy spells under tight controls. Johnson said that he ‘appreciated the fatigue’ that people were experiencing, but said that people should not expect things to ease up over the winter:

BJ: I know people are furious with me and they’re furious with the government but… it’s going to continue to be bumpy through to Christmas. It may even be bumpy beyond. But this is the only way to do it.

‘Buoyancy and élan’ inappropriate for Covid-19

Marr asked Johnson about the discontent on his backbenches over his command of events.

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