Key lessons from Boris Johnson visit to Yorkshire vaccine centre – The Yorkshire Post says

He clearly wanted to meet leaders, and representatives, of the region’s faith groups to better understand why some people in the Asian community are, despite everything, reluctant to be inoculated against the virus.

And while he deserves plaudits for the size, speed, scale and success of the programme to date, in addition to his diplomatic triumph over the EU, this not the time for celebrations – or complacency.

After all, it is clear that the Government needs to communicate more effectively with BAME communities, especially those who place more credence on the views of spurious scaremongerers rather than public health leaders.

It is the same with the furore over reductions in this region’s vaccine supply – the Department of Health needs to be far clearer, and far more transparent, with its pronouncements.

And, while maintaining adequate vaccine supplies is the key issue, and requires co-operation between the UK and Europe, there’s still the issue of whether care home staff, teachers and other key workers can be prioritised in order to help open up the economy.

As such, it is to be hoped that the Tory leader left Yorkshire better informed of the outstanding issues after a visit that combined statesmanship with his unique flair for boosting the morale of many of those that he met. It was also rebuke to those, like Scotland’s First Minister, who believe the PM should remain ensconced in Downing Street at this time.

Only by undertaking such trips will Mr Johnson have a feel of what is working – and what areas of policy require more urgent attention. The test will be the extent to which he puts his West Yorkshire visit to practical use in the coming days.

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