I hate to bring Brexit into this thread but the last paragraph in particular would rather suggest that the UK ought to align itself with the EU even after exiting rather than going for "Global Britain" etc. What are the chances of that?

Originally Posted by: Lionel Hutz 

A bit cynical to suggest that fining people for unnecessary journeys is simply a revenue raising exercise. 

As for being unelected, what else can be done? You know that the last election was completely indecisive so forming a government is no easy task. I think it's no harm that we have experienced people running the show at the moment rather than new people. In any case, would a new government be doing anything different to what is being done now? I know that you can't stand Varadkar but surely you'd agree that our government has done a better job than the Tories(not a high bar admittedly).

Originally Posted by: Lionel Hutz 

I hate to bring Brexit into this thread but the last paragraph in particular would rather suggest that the UK ought to align itself with the EU even after exiting rather than going for "Global Britain" etc. What are the chances of that?

Originally Posted by: Lionel Hutz 

Cops are going to be granted 'extra powers', from an unelected Government (remember, we had an election 2 month's ago) over here to fine anyone up to 2,500 quid who travels beyond 2.5km from their home during this 'lockdown'. Obviously revenue from speeding/no tax displayed/drunk driving fines is beginning to dry up somewhat. 

Originally Posted by: Chunky Pea 

Absolutely, but I'm a Remainer so I would say that!

To my mind, the UK must align itself with like-minded countries that have muscle. That means France (military muscle), Germany (economic muscle), and the Anglosphere countries like Canada and Australia (both of which have regional military capability). 

At the moment, we are too reliant upon an unstable partner in the US and we have spent far too long cosying up to the malevolent Chinese state.

We must also raise defence spending to 4% of GDP (where it was at the time of the Falklands conflict).

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

I echo SJV's view. Why is he still in ICU if he is sitting up and chatting?

I'm suspicious of the optimism emanating from Downing St because we were being told he was fine at the end of last week. But he probably isn't dying which is a huge relief.

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

What I find odd is the implication that yesterday he couldn't chat. 

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

What I find odd is the implication that yesterday he couldn't chat. 

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

“God created the cat so that man can caress the tiger.”

Seen photos and videos a couple of months back of some Chinese brutally killing their dogs and cats when they were told that pets were carriers of the virus. Any one who could even think about doing this to their pet, or any animal, without even a second thought, deserves to flayed alive. 

Originally Posted by: Chunky Pea 

Probably quite difficult through an oxygen mask I would guess. Perhaps he is on intermittent oxygen today?

Originally Posted by: doctormog 

My old colleague Con Coughlin tearing into the UK's cosying up to China:

Our enemies will seek to exploit Britain’s vulnerability during this moment of crisis

Some excerpts:

Of far greater concern, though, is the deliberate misinformation being disseminated by countries like China, Russia and Iran about the true impact of the virus on their citizens. The misinformation campaign being undertaken by these countries, designed to cover up their own mishandling of the pandemic, makes it immensely more difficult for British scientists to acquire a comprehensive picture of the origins and development of the coronavirus, thereby undermining the Government’s efforts to navigate a way out of the crisis.

and

As Professor David Harper, a global health specialist, told a recent session of the Commons foreign affairs select committee, “communication is always a big issue” in dealing with pandemics. Therefore the failure of these three countries, as well as others, to give an accurate and transparent account of their own experiences has “obscured analysis in the critical early stages of the pandemic”.

Given the negative impact the hostile behaviour of rogue regimes such as these is having on Britain’s efforts to overcome the pandemic, it is vital that, once this crisis is over, their unwillingness to help us in our hour of need must inform our post-pandemic world view.

and

First and foremost, there must be a clear alignment with those countries that were open about their efforts to tackle the challenge, and which were prepared to share – to the best of their ability – their scientific knowledge of the virus, as well as providing practical support in terms of vital medical equipment.

Their willingness to offer assistance will be in stark contrast to the lies and disinformation that has been forthcoming from Russia, China and Iran.

and

This fiasco shows why it is so important that, in future, the Government must make sure it is dealing with countries it can rely upon to help, rather than those that will cause it yet further trouble.

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

No it does not work like that he would be slowly weened off oxygen  to approx 1-1.5 litres no point in breaking a improving health condition in one hit in fact its dangerous.

Originally Posted by: Polar Low 

If it (the EU) survives this period. Spain, Italy and others are not happy.

Originally Posted by: doctormog 

No it does not work like that he would be slowly weened off oxygen  to approx 1-1.5 litres no point in breaking a improving health condition in one hit in fact its dangerous.

Originally Posted by: Polar Low 

I hate to bring Brexit into this thread but the last paragraph in particular would rather suggest that the UK ought to align itself with the EU even after exiting rather than going for "Global Britain" etc. What are the chances of that?

Originally Posted by: Lionel Hutz 

I hate to bring Brexit into this thread but the last paragraph in particular would rather suggest that the UK ought to align itself with the EU even after exiting rather than going for "Global Britain" etc. What are the chances of that?

Originally Posted by: Lionel Hutz 

So the thought would be that he needs less oxygen support, but he's not completely off it yet hence the fact he remains in the ICU for the time being?

Originally Posted by: SJV 

The world should close their borders with China and they will soon drown on their own stock they can't sell. Made in England is the way!

Originally Posted by: Phil G 

We can agree to disagree, intermittent oxygen is sometimes appropriate. Not usually but sometimes.

Originally Posted by: doctormog 

I remember someone saying yesterday that you have peaks and troughs when you hit the worse phase. I am not sure how true that is though.

Originally Posted by: Heavy Weather 2013 

The world should close their borders with China and they will soon drown on their own stock they can't sell. Made in England is the way!

Originally Posted by: Phil G 

I estimate that it would take upwards of five years to remove our dependency on Chinese factories. Even then there's a problem with accessing components and raw materials because it would be naive to expect China not to 'run interference' to stop its export markets becoming self-sufficient or sourcing from 'friendly nations'. I wouldn't put it last the Chinese to use their geopolitical presence and growing military might to make life difficult.

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

I really can't believe you are serious. The western way of life is sustained by goods supplied by China at lower cost than we could possibly make them. China's manufacturing capacity has been built up over decades and we can't replace it overnight or in the foreseeable future. Even if we could the goods would be at vastly higher cost.  You are in cloud cuckoo land.

Originally Posted by: RobN