London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 04, 2025

Boris Johnson’s Tough Tiers Could Unite The Nation – But Not In The Way He’d Like

Boris Johnson’s Tough Tiers Could Unite The Nation – But Not In The Way He’d Like

After his general election victory nearly a year ago, Boris Johnson said that he would unite the nation. Thanks to his new “tough tiers” Covid system, he appears to have done just that. But having learned their fate for this long winter ahead, plenty of people seemed united in their unhappiness with the tier they are in.
The shift from the pre-lockdown tier system to the current one certainly has been dramatic. Whereas in early November, just 15% of the country was in the old Tier 3, now a massive 98% of the nation is facing very similar restrictions (except they are in a “strengthened” Tier 2 or Tier 3). Forget “whackamole”, this is “whackanelephant”.

And judging by the deep unease expressed by many Tory MPs, Johnson has also managed to unite both his northern backbenchers furious that their months of pain will continue to the spring, and southern backbenchers furious that their leafy shires are mixed up with Covid hotspots. If Keir Starmer decided (and he won’t) to oppose the government in the vote next week, the Tory majority could easily be wiped.

One of the few areas that was moved out of the highest tier was Liverpool City Region, largely because it has seen a two thirds drop in cases (for Liverpool borough the drop is even more impressive, at three quarters). Yet other areas, such as those in the North East, complained bitterly that their recent falls in numbers weren’t enough to make a difference.

In the Commons, Matt Hancock made a clear contrast between Liverpool (he pointed out yesterday that mayor Joe Anderson texted him during a select committee meeting) and Andy Burnham’s greater Manchester. “Unfortunately, we did see the impact on the number of cases going up and continuing to go up in those areas where local leaders were not working alongside us,” Hancock said, in a less than veiled jibe at Burnham.

Boris Johnson in his No.10 press conference was less brutal, but when he praised Liverpool’s “strong local leadership” everyone knew who he wasn’t praising. For his part, the GM mayor said he accepted his region’s cases didn’t yet justify a Tier 2 move, but he was furious about the lack of extra cash support for the crippled hospitality industry.

Burnahm told TimesRadio tonight: “They’re trying to say that nobody should ever stand up for their area. And they don’t take too kindly to that. And if somebody does, they’ll sort of divide and rule and they’ll praise one area, Liverpool, and criticise us. The country shouldn’t be run like that, particularly not at a time like this.”

There is still much to do for Johnson and Hancock to win round MPs, many of whom are baffled as to why they have to wait until next week to see the cost-benefit analysis they were promised. It will only be next week that Tier 3 areas will learn how and whether they will get their own mass testing help, with the Army unable to supply all of them with the same numbers it did in Merseyside.

The next review of the tiers is due on December 16, although Hancock tried to placate some MPs by saying further reviews could take place weekly afterwards. That would theoretically give disappointed areas one last go on December 23 to get out of the higher tiers.

And it was on the issue of Christmas that both Johnson and chief medical officer Chris Whitty were most revealing today. The PM talked about “people’s strong desires to celebrate...which they’re frankly going to do anyway”, a telling remark about why he’s easing some rules. Meanwhile, Whitty’s tabloid story gift – kissing granny will kill her – laid bare the scientists’ fear that the festive season carries real risks. ‌

The tougher tiers do indeed seem designed to buy some more time to allow a slight easing at Christmas, and many will hope common sense prevails. Yet Johnson’s worry will be that he will get the blame, not the public, if there is indeed a third wave. Perhaps that’s why he raised the spectre for the first time of a third national lockdown in January.‌

Then again, an increasing number of MPs and the public may think that Whitty’s advice tonight (“dont do stupid things, don’t do unncessary things because the rules say you can”) applies to their own prime minister’s handling of the entire pandemic.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×