The lessons that we need to carry forward from the pandemic - Daxa Patel
In the last six years, we have endured a global pandemic and now stand amid an artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. Both events are monumental, yet are we simply being swept along, unaware of the consequences.
The media reported yet another government reversal on postponing local elections in thirty councils, let us be clear: this was not a U-turn but a forced abandonment of an unlawful plan. This government has been in power long enough to act with conviction, yet we witness knee-jerk policy shifts rather than the long-term reforms that genuinely improve lives.
Artificial intelligence presents challenges, such as the absence of regulation around the time young people and adults spend online - scrolling, watching, seeking companionship in virtual spaces rather than real human connection.
Yet AI also offers valuable tools to automate white-collar jobs, increase efficiency, and create new opportunities if harnessed wisely. This revolution dwarfs even the arrival of the internet.
Why not embrace it and make it serve humanity instead of being carried away by the tide? Ignorance is no excuse; AI is here to stay and will shape our lives whether we choose to engage or resist.
The pandemic is still fresh in memory, yet we seem to have forgotten the chaos, fear, and loss it wrought, especially on the most vulnerable. Module ten of the Covid Inquiry on the impact on society is a stark reminder of what we all went through.
For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime ordeal, a harsh lesson in fragility. How we learn and change is evident in our interactions. Yet political mudslinging and pettiness reveal that our leaders remain no wiser, leaving little hope for the rest of us.
The next four years, building on the last six, will redefine not only the global order but also our daily existence. Recognising our role in this revolution whether willing or reluctant, we can find hope and reclaim some control by focusing on how we serve one another rather than squandering energy on trivial, material disputes.
Our lives have never been easier. We can remain home for a month, work remotely, and order anything we desire with a click. Yet this instant gratification blinds us to the domino effect of our actions.
Throwing a tissue from a car window, ordering a new sofa after seeing a TikTok, then illegally dumping the old one on a grass verge, these small acts accumulate. Every action, including mine, impacts us all. Until we grasp this, we cannot expect mature leadership.
No party disputes that social care is in crisis, housing shortages persist, and dental care is failing, services we will all need eventually. It is time for grown-up politics and government. If the Prime Minister truly wishes to serve the country, why not surround himself with people who possess a holistic bold vision rather than those lacking insight into the nation’s desperate needs?
Recent resignations and sackings at the heart of government have exposed how Number Ten operates, hardly inspiring confidence. The Prime Minister urgently needs a credible chief of staff. Forget past grievances; aim for consensus. Every party has capable leaders who see beyond party lines.
If the Prime Minister is listening, I recommend appointing someone like Baroness Ayesha Hazarika, who understands the power of communication. Other political figures such as Andy Street, Ruth Davidson, and Sir Ed Davey could help steady the ship. If the public requires guidance on leadership, why not invite Sir Gareth Southgate as chief political adviser?
Confidence in governance arises from decisive and clear leadership. Our Prime Minister is genuine but cannot succeed alone. The prospect of figures like Jenrick or Braverman returning to ministerial roles makes my blood run cold. Another issue is ministers often lack relevant experience for their portfolios. Given the high salaries MPs and ministers receive, qualifications, expertise, and integrity should matter. One would not be appointed chief financial officer in the private sector without deep knowledge of the role; why should ministers be exempt?
Progress demands we open our eyes to our interconnectedness. The pandemic brought this truth home: no individual is an island. Communities and key workers support us all.
The paralysis we felt during the pandemic, powerless over our fate, is a stark reminder that life is not a rehearsal. It is real, and we must treat it as such with grace.
The moment demands leadership that rises above petty squabbles and short-term gain. We need visionaries who understand that the future of this nation depends on unity, integrity, and the courage to make difficult decisions.
The challenges we face, technological, social, economic are unprecedented, but so is our capacity to adapt and overcome. It is not enough to react; we must anticipate, innovate, and lead with a steady hand.
Daxa Manhar Patel is a leadership coach, author and solicitor.