Read on Twitter
Two big issues of 2020 have been COVID and Brexit. Occasionally they have touched but generally they have been separate. But now, like a TV series finale, the plots are brought together. Sadly, a common thread runs through the Govt's approach to both issues - optimism bias. /1
This thread from @Jack_Blanchard_ runs through various promises made to see off the virus. All wishful thinking. Suggesting we could have a near normal Christmas just built up expectations that were bound to be dashed. /2 https://twitter.com/Jack_Blanchard_/status/1340595589428473856?s=20
As for Brexit, there have been a succession of promises that it would all be fine - we'd get control of our laws, our borders & our money plus we'd get excellent access to EU markets. £350m a week for the NHS. We held all the cards etc. /3
The optimism bias has meant there hasn't been the expectation management necessary on both COVID & the Brexit deal. Two examples. It should've been made clear months ago that we couldn't have anything like a normal Christmas. And we'll have to compromise on fish to get a deal. /4
But there's been an obvious desire to believe that the virus will just fade away and that the EU will just fold. When neither happens, the public are disappointed & the country ill-prepared. The response? Usually another big undeliverable promise. /5
On both COVID & Brexit, we badly need the Government to display realistic (even cautious) expectations & greater honesty about the trade-offs. /END
