Labour need to do far more than tell the Govt to ‘get a grip’ or sort out ‘dither and delay’.

Brexit outcomes aren’t primarily a problem of execution but design - the problem is Brexit itself, made worse by their choice of its hardest form. /1

The Govt can’t ‘get a grip’ of Brexit - they designed it this way. This is how it is until it’s undone or the deal renegotiated.

As for the pandemic there’s ample evidence of policies they could follow from other countries that would get test and trace working, for example, /2

but they don’t want to choose them. Labour need to work out which ones to build media and public support for, and to work out how to ensure the Govt own the political damage from our worst in class performance. /3

There’s plenty to be angry about - from the worst death rate and worst economic performance to the near total loss of two years of education. Somehow the Govt are still not owning the harm - it’s Labour’s job to ensure they do. /4

It’s the same in Scotland. Sturgeon has done hardly better than Johnson when it comes to the pandemic. Independence is even more economically ruinous than Brexit. Labour has ample ammunition - it just needs to step up to the plate. Hopefully post leadership election it will. /5