The Reader: Sweeping Covid laws are taking away liberties

Boris Johnson
Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing Street
30 September 2020

The implementation of yet more measures without a vote in Parliament is fundamentally undemocratic.

Since March, more than 50 coronavirus-related criminal laws have been introduced and not a single one has been voted on.

Now Boris Johnson has even threatened to deploy the Army.

These sweeping measures (which take away many of our liberties) are being introduced by decree, without parliamentary scrutiny. Not only is this scrutiny a fundamental principle of our democracy, but it also leads to better outcomes.

Irrespective of whether you support more lockdown measures, they should be decided by Parliament and not by a few of Boris Johnson’s cronies.
Isaac Adni

Editor's reply

Dear Isaac

You raise valid concerns, echoed by former Commons speaker John Bercow, in questioning how the democratic process has been lobotomised to enact legislation.

Everyone must do their bit for public health to help limit viral spread but Parliament on its Johnsonian war footing needs to scrutinise these strict new rules, illustrated by the strength of rebel feeling among Conservative MPs.

This moveable feast of pandemic diktats and fines devised behind closed doors must be reviewed through parliamentary process and later repealed when unneeded. That is the sign of healthy democracy and a listening government.
Mark Blunden, Technology Editor

Crossrail, please

In the coming months we may well be needing the services of the staff behind Crossrail when a second wave of coronavirus hits.

I plead for readers to urge the Government and the Mayor to use their powers given by us to take back with both hands the fiasco that is Crossrail. This wonderful city needs it now more than ever. We cannot wait another 18 months or more for it to officially open.
David W Evans