The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has gone into self-isolation at a very wrong time, after coming in contact with Ashfield M.P., Lee Andersona, who later tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Johnson has no symptoms of COVID-19 but he has been asked to by NHS Test and Trace, a Government-funded service in England, which tracks COVID-19, to self-isolate. This is the second time he has gone into self-isolation. Prior to this, he tested positive for COVID-19 in March 2020 but was able to recover soon.
Taking it to twitter, Johnson tweeted, “Hi folks, I’ve been instructed by our NHS Test & Trace scheme to self-isolate for two weeks, after being in contact with someone with Covid-19. I’m in good health and have no symptoms and will continue to lead on our response to the virus & our plans to #BuildBackBetter.”
Johnson would be under self-isolation for a period of 2 weeks. This comes at a time when 2 of his most important Senior Advisors resigned from their office following allegations that they had been briefing viciously against both Johnson himself and his fiancée, Carrie Symonds.
The Chief Advisor of Johnson – Dominic Cummings and The Director of Communications for 10 Downing Street – Lee Cain were among the most controversial and disliked members of his cabinet. They had a very confrontational style, which had turned people in Downing Street against him. However, what’s challenging is to see how Johnson will come out of the various critical issues that have been looming over the United Kingdom (U.K.).
It is believed that Dominic Cummings was the man guiding Johnson over Brexit and post-Brexit trade deal with European Union (E.U.) Moreover the post-Brexit freight software will not be ready by the time transition period of United Kingdom (U.K.) leaving European Union (E.U) ends on December 31, 2020. This will lead to delay in getting products available at shop for final consumer and also increase
the prices of the goods.
The deal needs to be finalised now or else the terms of the deal would not be incorporated in the freight software which would impact cross-border movement of goods. With Johnson self-isolating, delay in decision making is expected. Of-course Johnson can anytime pick-up the phone and speak to anyone. He can also hold virtual meetings, but then his uninterrupted attention would be compromised.
Johnson had already said that U.K. must prepare for a no-deal scenario. The people of Britain fear that a no deal scenario would lead to shortages of food, toilet paper and medicine.
Moreover, Joe Biden has recently been declared the President-elect of the United States (U.S.). He is focussing on Europe as he aims to improve ties which went sour during the regime of outgoing President of the U.S. – Donald Trump. Biden’s proximity to European nations may also impact the post-Brexit trade deal. Biden sees Johnson as U.K.’s Trump.
The troubles of British economy are also numerous. The Bank of England (BoE) has also forecasted U.K. economy going into double-dip recession, during the last quarter. The BoE predicts U.K.’s economy to shrink 2% during the fourth quarter. Overall, for the year 2020, the U.K. would shrink by 11%. This is more than the earlier estimate of 9.5%, which it had predicted in March 2020.
Another trouble for Johnson is the ongoing second COVID-19 national lockdown which will continue till December 2, 2020. The further extension or relaxations will depend upon the current scenario. With Johnson away from the scene for 14 days, his strategic involvement will definitely be compromised.
With so much happening in U.K., we need to wait and watch how Johnson will re-arrange his deckchairs!
