Why a Churchill figure is needed to enforce lockdown – Zahid Chauhan

But then respect can cross parties (as Sir Winston once did, of course), and the bullish, tub-thumping pomp and bluster that filled the British public with fortitude to defeat the Nazis, is exactly what is required now in response to the biggest health problem our nation has faced since the plague.

Before I expand, it is worth remembering that Churchill’s coalition government was exactly that – a union of parties, views, and experiences – and that Sir Winston’s real forte was as a mouthpiece.

But his “fight them on the beaches” rhetoric was just what the people needed to come together as one nation with a common goal. What a contrast that is to the current dithering and failure to learn from even the most recent mistakes.

Ours is truly a government of appeasement. Do not lockdown when warned or prepare those who will fight Covid on the frontline with PPE, because of misplaced bravado and a sense that business dictates that government should never get involved and remain laissez-faire.

A complete disconnection, allied to a lack of compassion, meant that the virus hit the poorest hardest, and has continued to do so ever since.

Failing to separate residents in care homes resulted in the virus becoming more virulent, as did the pressure to get patients out of hospitals without proper testing.

Bungling misinformation brought about public confusion over masks, and an ideological mistrust of the NHS in favour of cronies in the private sector, meant that vital services such as testing were farmed out in lucrative contracts. What a Horlicks they made of track and trace. And I could go on.

Hindsight of course is a marvellous thing. But why wasn’t the country immediately put on a war footing once the World Health Organisation deemed Covid-19 a pandemic?

Resources from university labs to the armed forces should have been commandeered to drive forward a vaccine and quicken its distribution. How about lockdown meaning lockdown, swift and decisive action to close borders and prevent crowds assembling?

How about putting health for the many above wealth for the few and yes, forgoing civil liberties for the shortest period of time to ensure that the virus was beaten fast?

Australia did it, just as Churchill’s government acted fast in the face of the fascist threat. And even further back, administrations managed to quarantine and protect, as far back as the Black Death!

Such alacrity will be needed to pump up the economy and help the most vulnerable once the virus dissipates – investment is required to reignite economies in disadvantaged areas.

It is noticeable that short of allowing councils to use B&Bs to house the homeless, very little has been done to protect rough sleepers from Covid-19.

Only the support of local businesses in North and West Yorkshire allowed my Homeless-Friendly charity to provide masks, gloves and other equipment.

A swift but robust plan is needed to tackle poverty that includes affordable housing for all. As figures from predominantly BAME communities have shown, people there have been more prone to death from coronavirus than elsewhere.

We need to reduce health inequalities, and why did it need the albeit heroic Marcus Rashford’s efforts to actually feed children living in poverty this summer? Where was government? Behind the door, as usual.

As a health carer, I would 
also like to see the sharp introduction of better mental health provision. All the promises about better funding for our NHS need fulfilling, also. This pandemic has revealed its frailties, largely caused by cuts to vital staff.

First and foremost, our country needs leadership that inspires and encourages, particularly in the darkest hour. That is what we have missed most.

For all the reports of “Covid Idiots” breaking lockdown, I believe the public has played a huge part in beating the virus, but they need words and particularly deeds which inspire hope as we enter a new lockdown.

As Churchill once said: “It is the courage to continue that counts.” And right now, we are in need of someone who can take his mantel and enable Britain to say “Never” and “no surrender” to the coronavirus.”

Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE is a national health campaigner and founder of the Homeless-Friendly charity which works with rough sleepers in West Yorkshire.

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