There is now no doubt of the threat we face in Omicron. It is spreading faster than previous variants, causing record numbers of daily infections.
That’s why Labour ensured measures were passed this week to curb the spread of the virus and protect our NHS, despite 101 Tory MPs voting against the Government. We could have inflicted an embarrassing defeat on the Government, but Labour will always put the national interest before party politics.
What those Conservative rebels don’t understand is that if the virus rips through our NHS, staff won’t be able to come to work and the health service could collapse.
Dr Katherine Henderson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicines said this week that her NHS trust is facing 10% of doctors and nurses off sick. It comes at the worst possible time.
After 11 years of Conservative Government, the NHS is going into this winter with record waiting lists, an already exhausted workforce, and key targets missed. Covid made these problems worse, but 4.5 million patients were on waiting lists and the NHS was short 100,000 staff BEFORE the pandemic. Not only did the Tories not fix the roof when the sun was shining, they dismantled the roof and removed the floorboards.
The latest warnings from the Government’s scientific advisors, published yesterday, are impossible to ignore. Yet all we have from the Government is radio silence.
Boris Johnson’s authority has been weakened within his own party, and he now looks paralysed by fear of losing his position as Prime Minister. He may no longer be able to rely on his own MPs, but my message to the Prime Minister is that Labour stands ready to act to protect our public health once again.
To everyone else, I implore you to get the booster vaccine, as I did this week. It is safe, effective, and the best protection we have against Covid.
