Today, in just 24 hours, The NHS confirmed 980 people have died from Coronavirus in the U.K. This is the highest daily fatality rate recorded so far (not including care homes), and this is the BBC’s headline and top story.

Between 13th February – 30th March, Britain missed a total of eight conference calls/meetings with the EU heads of state regarding the current pandemic. Official minutes show in January, the U.K. took part in 4 EU briefings where bulk buying supplies were discussed. As you know, even now, we are still waiting for those very same supplies discussed in January. While government officials tried to nonchalantly brush off any problems regarding medical equipment that is so desperately needed, Brussels stated Number 10 claimed “it was too expensive” and “the PM lied about not having received an email regarding ventilators”.

Today, Stanley Johnson (the PM’s father) appeared on BBC Radio 4 and stated Boris Johnson becoming ill “served an amazing purpose in that it’s got the whole country to realise this is a serious event”. Keep in mind, in the U.K, we’ve already lost nearly 9 thousand people to Coronavirus and today was the highest fatality rate recorded yet. To imply the country only took notice once it was a ‘man in the spotlight’ who got the disease, rather than the ‘average’ person, considering how many people have lost their lives; is extremely insensitive and ignorant. This is coming from a man who said “Of course i’ll go to a pub, if I need to go to a pub” live on TV, shortly after the government announced lockdown measures in all pubs, restaurants and bars. I also probably don’t need to remind you that a few months ago, he stated the British public couldn’t spell Pinocchio. Oh look, I just did!
It seems the phrase ‘practise what you preach’ comes to mind. Either that, or you know, maybe don’t give political airtime to a man who isn’t an elected official and has no business being there?

On the 5th April, Health Secretary, Matt Hancock voiced that “now isn’t the time to discuss pay rises for nurses” when days later, 650 MP’s at the click of a finger were offered an extra 10k bonus for working from home. This is on top of their existing budget of 26k, as well as their salary plus benefits, and their ability to claim expenses. Up and down the country we have self employed people claiming 80% of their yearly earnings, people taking out loans, Statutory Sick Pay giving those in full time, contracted work £94.25 per week which is the lowest in Europe and deemed “manifestly inadequate” by the European Committee of Social Rights, and in breach of their legal obligations to human rights. There’s unemployed people subjected to waiting for universal credit payments, people literally losing jobs – yet now is the time to give more to those who already have enough? When our people are struggling?

Matt Hancock also deleted tweets about protective equipment supplies due to go into circulation, as well as addressing the nation on how to self-isolate, all the while wiping his nose/coughing without covering his mouth. The Prime Minister writing an article for The Sunday Times with advice concerning Mother’s Day during a lockdown (which you have to bloody pay for to read?!). Sky News tweeting that the government has asked mobile network o2 “to hand over anonymous mobile phone location data in order to ensure people are following social distancing guidelines” which has since been deleted. The government announcing yet another discriminatory policy for a 3-month mortgage holiday, whilst giving no break for renters or those in social housing. This seems to be very counterproductive considering most people who have mortgages are financially better off, than those renting (but they know that). Home Secretary, Priti Patel, is nowhere to be seen – astounding reports confirm she turned down FOUR committee appearances. Where is our so called leadership?

It’s hardly a coincidence Patel has disappeared, when only a few weeks ago, the very people who are the backbone of this country and have proved to be so during this current pandemic (classed as low skilled and low paid), are the same people Priti Patel wasn’t even going to allow into the country according to her minimum earning requirements and ‘points system’. She was naturally proven wrong. That’s the only comforting thing I personally take from this; the general understanding and sudden realisation for some, that you can’t compare stacking shelves, serving food and cleaning floors to sitting behind a desk in a court room, being a CEO, or an MP. You, and we are equally as important, as beneficial and as needed in society as the next person.

Since Richard Branson wrote to the government and pleaded for a tax payer bail out, the airline industry has had billions thrown at it. Ironically, none of that money though will cover staff wages. Virgin Atlantic hasn’t made a profit in four years and doesn’t pay any U.K. tax, and EasyJet paid its shareholders £174 million in dividends, then days later used a government scheme to pay their staff. Why should they be handed our money? It’s daylight robbery. The government didn’t support Thomas Cook, Monarch, BMI or Flybe. So, why Virgin? What is the point in allowing billionaires and companies to accrue so much wealth, when whenever they lose profits; we have to pay. Isn’t that what their money is for? We use the service and pay for it, and even when we are not using the service – we still pay for it. If these aren’t enough reasons to prove to you, why and how Capitalism is completely failing, I suggest you read again.