The Prime Minister opened PMQs by thanking all those in public services for continuing to work through the coronavirus pandemic and wishing them a Merry Christmas.
Keir Starmer did the same upon his call up from the Speaker of the House.
Boris Johnson was forced to defend his lockdown decisions when Keir Starmer questioned whether they had come too late, which then meant more people had died and more livelihoods were lost because the lockdown went on far too long.
The PM referenced other European countries’ Covid rates, citing Germany’s recent spike in cases and deaths, where the UK has the deaths relatively under control using the tiered system.
Keir Starmer doubted the effectiveness of the tier systems, something which he has done for some weeks, saying that even in tier 3, 50% of areas have an increasing Covid rate.
Mr Johnson responded to the Leader of the Opposition by saying he’d take his views more seriously if he picked a point of view or had a plan. Quasi-quoting Mariah Carey, the PM said “All I want for Christmas is a view.”
Mr Johnson also confirmed that all 4 nations of the UK have agreed to keep the relaxed rules over Christmas, with a revision on the advice being given to the public.
Ian Blackford used his questions to point out that 16 consecutive surveys had shown that the majority of Scottish people want independence, possibly due to the Government’s handling of Brexit. Mr Blackford requested that the Government release a report detailing the economic impact of Brexit on the whole of the UK, with Mr Blackford accusing Westminster of ignoring Scotland’s interest throughout the Brexit process.
