Claims in Labour-run lockdown areas that the Tories are easing restrictions on political grounds are creating a controversy that requires fast answers.
Public confidence will evaporate completely if people asked to make sacrifices believe MPs they never voted for appear to have more power than councils.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Downing Street must publish urgently detailed, data-driven responses so decisions may be stress-tested to justify the suspension or return of something close to normal life.
Tory MPs who criticised the national lockdown displayed fatally poor judgement then – and the impression that they are able now to call in favours in Westminster is damaging.
Boris Johnson has already gifted his No 10 aide Dominic Cummings a free pass.
Unless we are all in this together, the virus will never be beaten.
Classy leaders
School heads and teachers are showing leadership absent from the Prime Minister as more and more pupils resume their education which was put on hold.
The great reopening is both welcome and promising but let none of us be cavalier about the challenges ahead.
Strict precautions will not prevent local outbreaks and the challenge will be to quarantine as few children and staff as possible while avoiding unnecessary risks.
Boris Johnson and his woeful Education Secretary Gavin Williamson are bottom of the class when it comes to leadership.
When the PM is out of his depth we need to support the heads making tough decisions.
Marcus wins
Heartbreaking tales of child poverty are stronger when they come from the heart and real life experience.
Once again, campaigning Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford is telling home truths the Government should heed when inflicting hardship.
