Written Evidence Submitted by Nigel Glassborow

(CLL0110)

Hello,

I am a member of the public.  That is my expertise.

I have observed what the public was made aware of since the pandemic started.  It was clear from the start that no one knew how serious this illness was going to be.  But it was also clear that the Government could not proceed at pace without the ‘proof’ to support any action it may take, otherwise it was liable to be bogged down in litigation. 

It was clear that the government was being advised by scientists and the medical profession, but also it was made public that they were also taking advice from professionals on how best to get the public on board. 

What was obvious to the ordinary member of the public who looked at the matter in an unbiased manner, was  that the British government, whoever is in charge, is not in a position to suddenly clamp down on the freedoms of the people and businesses regardless of how such may appear to be the common sense way to go. 

The sensible individual will have taken the necessary precautions in readiness for a possible clamp down.  But the government is not allowed to spend public money without good evidence.  So, regardless of Cumming’s evidence, it is clear that without sufficient evidence about the exact nature of the beast that all sorts of ideas will have been put forward in the early days.  None of this matters.  What matters is that we are now on the right path.

People have learnt from past mistakes and are now getting things right.  Pointing fingers with the benefit of hindsight is all well and good, but without hindsight anyone trying to cope with this pandemic would have been constrained by the lack of evidence and those who would have and are complaining about ‘rights’ and procedures etcetera.  And is anyone going to be investigating Cummings admission that he instructed officials to ignore what a minister was telling them to do.

I would like to get these observations and thoughts put in as evidence to the committee concerned.  It was clear from the beginning that the government would not get everything right, so instead of looking to platforming someone who wishes to apportion blame, would it not be better to look at what can be learn ready for the next pandemic whereby laws can be put in place to ensure that the government can step in sooner, before the evidence is fully settled, and so risk wasting taxpayers’ money on a false call, knowing that if they call it right lives will be saved.  This would mean that the government would not be obstructed by other parties challenging it at every move.

Nigel Glassborow