MPs’ round-up
Knowledge and education can be our best defence I was saddened by the news of Prince Phillip’s passing. A good innings in every respect and a life of public service in support of Her Majesty. n Before Parliament rose for Easter a couple of weeks ago, the Defence Secretary at the Despatch Box outlined the details of the Government’s Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. And as ever, when defence policy is in question, we heard the familiar injunction reminding us that defence is the first duty of every Government. But one thing that the last year has shown us is that the concept of defence has to be seen in a wider context. This doesn’t just encompass advances in drone, cybersecurity and disruptive military technology, but also measures designed to mitigate against the
Somerton & Frome MP David Warburton risks posed by this and future pandemics. Covid-19 has had a greater impact on our freedoms and economy than any military conflict since the Second World War. And while the vaccine rollout continues, it’s clear we need to develop and sustain a domestic vaccine capability in the years ahead if we are to protect the UK against splintering
international supply chains which, inherently, are subject to logistical difficulties and political manoeuvring. This pandemic has demonstrated that threats from viruses can rival military and security threats. Developing our defences against future pandemics must be a strategic priority – a view the Government is now acting on. The Prime Minister’s announcement last week that approximately 60 million doses of the Novovax vaccine will be produced in the North East of England is hugely significant, as is the launch of the new Health Security Agency (in place of Public Health England) – which will have as its mission the monitoring of future epidemiological threats. The stunning success of the UK’s vaccination programme demonstrates the immense importance of science – and,
indeed, the value of education and the transmission of knowledge. There can be no better exemplification of the value of apparently obscure knowledge than the global race for a vaccine. And, given the contribution that scientists have made, I do hope to see a renewed focus on education in the years ahead. The surest defence against future, unforeseen threats, is to ensure the next generation can value, acquire and wield knowledge in the best interests of all. The pandemic has shown us that education and science are the most powerful weapons in overcoming the threats we face. As we now know, it may well be our ability to meet epidemiological threats with scientific solutions that ensures our institutions and way of life are preserved for – and by – our children and grandchildren.
not been supportive of. I accept that, as in wartime, we have to be careful about impositions that are quickly placed but slowly lifted. I am also by instinct rather keen on minimising government and Whitehall diktats. However, if covid passports can expedite the return of some of the freedoms put in abeyance over the past year, I am likely to support. Indeed, other jurisdictions from Israel to the EU are working on vaccine passports for a variety of activities, from traveling abroad to shopping. This could create a fait accompli in which countries and individual businesses seek to adopt vaccine checks. It would be odd for government to intrude on proprietors trying to make premises safe for customers and staff based on best available evidence which gets back to my point about whether covid passes will make a material difference to risk.
The judgement is eased somewhat by government saying it will rule out the requirement for certificates in settings like public transport and essential shops. There has also been talk of time-limiting covid certification. Government has said that certification would in any event not be ready until June. Indeed, we have just enjoyed the first few days of pubs being reopened – albeit outside in our temperamental climate – without needing so-called vaccine passports. Various forms of certification are now due to be trialed in high attendance events – including at a reducedcapacity Wembley for the FA Cup final. Clearly the transition from the rule of six in a beer garden to 90,000 football fans crammed into Wembley will require caution. But we will get there and covid certificates might just help.
Rights and responsibilities of covid pass
I’ve been doing and supervising hundreds of vaccinations in London and Wiltshire. As we anticipate something approaching normality with venues opening up, the question of covid passports or certificates has become prominent. There’s precedent, notably Yellow Fever certificates demanded for entry by a number of countries and vaccination required for some occupations, notably health workers. The first test is whether mandatory or permitted covid passes will significantly protect other people or not. If not then ditch the idea. Otherwise I think we have to reflect on rights and responsibility being sides of the same coin. Personally I don’t have a principled objection to people being asked to show they are not posing a risk to others if and when they interact with other people. That could mean being vaccinated, showing 58
MP for South West Wiltshire Dr Andrew Murrison you’ve recently had a negative covid test, showing you have antibodies to the virus or showing a valid reason for having none of these. My experience is that most people would agree. Indeed, my ear is frequently bent in favour of ID cards – a potentially greater imposition and one I’ve
