Ahead of Boris Johnson’s unveiling of his much anticipated roadmap to recovery tomorrow, growing pressure is mounting from both cabinet and party colleagues.
The anti-lockdown Covid Recovery Group (CRG) are insisting that all restrictions are lifted before the end of April.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show earlier today rejected those calls saying government will be “cautious” in easing restrictions.
PM Johnson yesterday on a business visit to Teesside said: “I’m optimistic but we have to be cautious.”
Libertarian Johnson will be struggling with his more natural inclination to err on the side of the CRG. But at the same time will be reluctant to risk going against colleagues who think a more staggered easing of restrictions is the preferred option.
The differences between the hawkish CRG and doves like Raab have been stretched in recent months alongside the successful roll out of the vaccine.
Hawks arguing that growing levels of protection have been achieved, and as such restrictions need to be eased in association with the progress of vaccination.
Doves are siding with the scientists urging caution in easing measures and highlighting the risk of opening too early as a recipe for another surge in cases.
The economists including The Chancellor are hawkish and will be encouraging the PM to hear the message from the CRG.
For the PM, still doing OK in YouGov polls amongst voters, he will weigh up the importance of his own position above all other considerations. We expect to see neither the hawks nor the doves fully satisfied after the roadmap unveiling, but the doves more so.
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Hospitality & Catering News: Hawks and Doves pressure PM ahead of roadmap. – 14 February 2021 – Hawks and Doves pressure PM ahead of roadmap.
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