Day 6

Labour leader Keir Starmer accuses government of making

‘serious mistakes’.
The results of the 2020 Labour Party leadership election and the 2020 Labour Party deputy
leadership election are announced, in which Keir Starmer is elected as the leader of the Labour
Party. The results are released by email after a public event to announce the results was cancelled
due to the pandemic.

April-4
Newly- chosen Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused the government of
making “serious mistakes” in its response to the coronavirus emergency. The
leader of the opposition promised to participate “constructively” with the
Conservatives, but criticised ministers for being too slow at clarifying why the
UK is “so far behind” on testing. He also called for “obstacles in the system”
which are delaying the delivery of PPE (protective equipment) – to front-line
workers to be “tackled quickly”.
Sir Keir said:” There will be many times when, and there are many issues upon
which, I will fundamentally disagree with the Prime Minister. However, there
will also be times when Labour can – and must – engage constructively with
the Government.”
“Now is such a time. Coronavirus is a national emergency. It is also a global
emergency. Everyone is anxious about what the next few months will bring,
but we know we must be resolute in our determination to see this virus
defeated, as it will be. I want to see the Government succeed in this: to save
lives and protect livelihoods. This is a national effort and all of us should be
asking what more we can do.”

He said Labour would do its best to offer solutions and would also speak for
those who have been ignored, and expose mistakes and rectify them as soon
as possible”.
Sir Keir wrote: “And let’s be honest, serious mistakes have been made. The
public is placing an enormous trust in the Government at the moment: it is
vital that that trust is met with openness and transparency about those
mistakes and the decisions that have been made.”
Sir Keir said the UK should build vaccination centres in towns and cities across
the country so that when the vaccine becomes available, they can begin to
protect and cure the entire population. He also said ministers should publish
their exit strategy from the measures to defeat coronavirus. Sir keir said that
they should know what the exit strategy so that when the restrictions are
lifted, they should all work towards economic recovery of the nation and help
people out.
“There will be many more difficult days ahead. Great sacrifices must be made
because of a crisis that was unimaginable only a few months ago. But Britain is
a great country and we will get through this.” Said Sir keir.

DAY-7
Prime Minister Boris Johnson hospitalized after
suffering from coronavirus symptoms.
London, April 5 - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was admitted to
hospital on Sunday after consistently suffering from coronavirus symptoms for
straight 10 days after testing positive for Covid-19.
He will stay for “as long as needed” in the London NHS hospital where he was
taken as precautionary patient on the advice of his doctor – rather than as an
emergency.
The news came just an hour after the Queen delivered a message of hope to
the nation amid the Covid-19 pandemic, saying that we should stay strong and
take precautionary measures, to overcome this pandemic. And to stand with
courage and strength as we may have more to endure.
A total of 4,934 patients ,including frontline healthcare workers have died in
hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK according to the latest
figures issued by the Department of Health.
Mr Johnson, 55, tested positive for the virus 10 days ago, and has been in self-
isolation inside his Downing Street flat since. A Number 10(the official
residence of the Prime Minister) spokeswoman said: “On the advice of his
doctor, the Prime Minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests. This
is a precautionary step, as the Prime Minister continues to have persistent
symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after testing positive for the virus. The Prime
Minister thanks NHS staff for all of their incredible hard work and urges the
public to continue to follow the Government’s advice to stay at home, protect
the NHS and save lives.”
Mr Johnson still remains “in charge of the Government” and in contact with
ministerial colleagues and officials despite him being hospitalized, a
spokesman said. The Prime Minister announced on March 27th that he had
been tested positive for Covid-19 and was self-isolating with “mild symptoms”
including a high temperature and persistent cough. He has shared several
video updates, since the diagnosis, and stepped outside to join the nationwide
clap for key workers on Thursday evening. Mr Johnson has not been seen
publicly ever since, but spoke to new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on
Saturday afternoon. Sir Keir wished the PM a “speedy recovery” after the
announcement.
In a rare television broadcast to the nation, the Queen personally expressed
gratitude to the frontline NHS staff, care workers and others for “selflessly”
carrying out their important roles. She thanked others for staying at home,
separated from friends and family, and echoed the words of Forces’
sweetheart Dame Vera Lynne’s Second World War anthem, when she said “we
will meet again”.

DAY-8
Raab to take over the prime ministers
duties whereas the death toll from
COVID-19 in the UK exceeds 5,000.
6 April 2020
The first secretary of the state Dominic Raab is going to take over all the prime
ministerial duties of Boris Johnson as he was admitted to intensive care after
suffering from consistent coronavirus symptoms. The foreign secretary will
“deputise where necessary”, Downing Street said, hours after being adamant
about the fact that the prime minister will still be in charge of the crisis despite
his poor health.

While Mr Johnson still remains the prime minister, Mr Raab from now on will
lead the government on a daily basis, Number 10 sources said.
The prime minister was moved to the intensive care unit on Monday evening
at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital, where he was taken for tests on Sunday – 10
days after testing positive for Covid-19.He is understood to still be cognisant
and to have been moved as a precaution, in case he needs ventilation.
The prime minister's official spokesperson said he is in hospital "under
observation", and described Russian reports that Mr Johnson had been placed
on a ventilator as "misinformation”. He is constantly receiving updates and
briefings in hospital, the spokesman added.
Last month, the prime minister's spokesperson had said that if Mr Johnson was
unwell and unable to work, the first secretary of state, Mr Raab, would stand
in.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock also tested positive for the virus and returned
Thursday from self-isolation to host the daily news conference on Downing
Street. The government's chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, self-isolated
after showing symptoms but has now recovered and is back at work.
Tony Lloyd, Labour MP for Rochdale, has also been admitted to hospital for
coronavirus treatment.
The news of Mr Johnson's being hospitalized came shortly after the Queen
delivered a rallying speech to the nation, saying that the UK "will succeed" in
its fight against the coronavirus pandemic. In this rare speech, the queen
thanked people for following government guidelines to stay at home and
admired those "coming together to help others".
Whereas A total of 5,373 patients have died in UK hospitals after testing
positive for coronavirus, a rise of 439 in 24 hours. The Department of Health
said that as of 9am on Monday, 208,837 people had been tested, out of which
51,608 has been tested positive.
DAY-9
Boris in Intensive Care Unit after virus
symptoms worsen.
7th April 2020
Boris Johnson spent the night in intensive care, after his coronavirus symptoms
worsened, with the overall government responsibility turned over to the
foreign minister Dominic Raab.
During a public health crisis, the Boris was moved to intensive care at St
Thomas’ hospital, London, at 7pm on Monday as a safety measure in case he
needed ventilation, it was said. He remained conscious on Monday night.
A Number 10 spokesman said: “Over the course of this afternoon, the
condition of the prime minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical
team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital. The prime
minister has asked foreign secretary Dominic Raab, who is the first secretary of
state, to deputise for him where necessary. The PM is receiving excellent care,
and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication.”

Intensive care beds are reserved for people who are critically sick, and also
those who need to be placed on a ventilator to help them breathe. Johnson,
55, is understood to have only received oxygen through a non-invasive mask
since he was first admitted to St Thomas' on Sunday evening.
His pregnant fiancée , Carrie Symonds – herself recovering from coronavirus
symptoms – was said to be deeply worried about Johnson’s illness.
News of his hospitalisation, 11 days after he developed a cough and fever,
caused national and international concern, with world leaders from US
president Donald Trump to French president Emmanuel Macron sending their
best wishes and support for Johnson’s recovery.
Trump said: “We’re very saddened to hear that [Johnson] was taken into
intensive care this afternoon, a little while ago, and Americans are all praying
for his recovery. He’s been a really good friend. He’s been really something
very special: strong resolute, doesn’t quit, doesn’t give up.”
Shortly after the declaration of Boris being hospitalised, Raab appeared on the
airwaves with an attempt to calm the public, saying government business
would continue. He said the prime minister was in safe hands and receiving
exceptional care and promised that the government would help bring the
whole country through the pandemic.

DAY-10
Lockdown extended beyond Easter in
wales.
8th April

The Welsh Government has confirmed restrictions on public movement, work

and leisure due to coronavirus since the pandemic will continue for longer.
First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed on Wednesday that the measures in
Wales will be extended, because of the lag between measures to control the
virus, and the effect they have on its spread. His government was the first in
the four UK nations to make such an announcement, although UK Foreign
Secretary Dominic Raab said on Thursday evening it was too early to lift the
lockdown. Ministers need to review the regulations, which require people to
stay at home except for exercise, work, and shopping for essentials, by 16
April.
A UK government source said: "We were surprised that the Welsh Government
decided to jump the gun with their own plans before a COBRA meeting to
discuss a UK wide approach had convened. “The source said there had been a
"high level joint call" between Mr Drakeford, Welsh Secretary Simon Hart and
senior UK minister Michael Gove, at the request of Mr Drakeford, "where it
was agreed that a continued UK-wide approach was best for our response to
fighting coronavirus, including around the measures already in place."
"The difference in Wales is that the National Assembly is still sitting, unlike the
House of Commons, we are meeting every week," he said. “We met
yesterday... it was inevitable that I was going to be asked questions about what
we expected to happen after next week. I felt it was simpler to make sure that I
made a statement to assembly members, and people in Wales will be clear
about our position."
The government instructions say that people should only be leaving their
house during the lockdown for food, health reasons, outdoor exercise or to go
to work if they cannot do work from home(WHF).When he announced the
lockdown last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the measures would
be reviewed every three weeks. On Easter Monday, it will be three weeks since
the lockdown was imposed.