The smug and sneering 'certaintees'.
February 6th 2021.
As the rollout of UK vaccines hits 10 million, the government's decision not to go with the EU's centralised vaccine procurement plan seems to be fully vindicated. However I recall some vehement criticism of the decision, so thought it worthwhile to look back at what was said at the time by those I've dubbed the smug and sneering 'certaintees'. I know that's not a word, but bear with, as Miranda says.
The announcement itself read “On this occasion, we have decided not to join the EU vaccine initiative, as it would not allow the UK to have a say in the vaccines procured, the price, the quantity and the delivery schedule, and the UK would not be allowed to continue pursuing independent discussions with pharmaceutical companies, which is key to ensuring the British public have swift access to any vaccine.”
The Guardian reported that “Government sources told the newspaper that officials fear signing up to the scheme could delay the rollout of a vaccine by up to six months while talks on distribution took place.” The Telegraph stated “The UK government has rejected the chance to join the European Union’s coronavirus vaccine programme due to concerns over “costly delays”, according to sources.”
That was what was said and the fears expressed have proved to be well-founded. However the decision came in for widespread derision, most of which ignored the substance of the above, namely concerns over speed of implementation, restrictions on independent sourcing and 'costly delays' - opting instead to call it a manifestation of Brexit.
Michael Russel SNP was is a perfect example. “This idiotic refusal is all about Brexit and nothing to do with the pandemic. It will cost lives."
AC Grayling, philosopher and anti-Brexit campaigner – 'Pure Brexit'
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy tweeted: "By refusing to join the EU's vaccine scheme, the government is yet again putting ideology before saving lives."
Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrats’ health spokeswoman, said: “When coronavirus is such a threat to people’s lives and livelihoods, ministers should leave no stone unturned in their bid to end the pandemic. This government’s stubborn unwillingness to work with the European Union through the current crisis is unforgivable.”
Kevin Stewart, the Scottish Housing Minister, said: "This lunacy shows how ideological, inept and irresponsible the Brexiteer buffoons are."
Catherine West, shadow Europe minister famously – dumb and dumber. As far as I can ascertain, she is the only person to have admitted she was wrong, if only a few hours after colleague Thangam Debbonaire, the Housing shadow, was grilled mercilessly by Piers Morgan.
Martin McKee, left-wing professor at London School of Hygiene: “UK will have to join other non-EU countries in a queue to acquire the vaccine after EU states have had it.”
Maree Todd, the Scottish Children's Minister, tweeted with some sarcasm (whilst conveniently overlooking the fact that AstraZeneca is Anglo-Swedish): "Of course any drug company in the world who wants to sell a vaccine will definitely come to our relatively tiny market first. Of course they will."
Labour’s Paul Blomfield: “Backing the EU initiative for a coronavirus vaccine is a positive step, but we should participate in the EU’s pandemic warning system and the European Medicines Agency too”.
Lib Dems official position: Govt is putting ideology before lives by not joining EU vaccine scheme.
The SNP’s Shadow Brexit Secretary Dr Philippa Whitford MP said: “At a time when the UK should be accelerating efforts to work with our EU partners towards finding a vaccine, it is concerning that the UK government has instead rejected the opportunity to take part in yet another EU-wide programme. The UK government’s short-sighted and increasingly isolationist approach does nothing but hinder the ability to tackle the virus effectively.”
Under the headline 'Brexit means the Covid vaccine will be slower to reach the UK', the Observer published an article in March last year which is striking because it transpired to be so completely wrong. By way of example, it contains the paragraph “While it appears the UK government wants to press ahead with its own regulatory system and rapid market authorisation system for emergencies, the experts say this will be all but impossible to put in place in time for a new Covid-19 vaccine, which is expected in about a year.”
It is instructive that I could not find a response that actually dealt with the government's statement – that is concerns over prevarication and costly delays and the intent to avoid any delay in 'swift access' to sources. This was roundly ignored and replaced with accusations of blind adherence to some imagined 'Brexit ideology' at any cost.
I'm sure there is a well-argued piece out there somewhere, but all I could find was vitriol characterised by the usual smug moral high ground, absolute sneering certainty and the tired accusation that only they really care; the government doesn't give a damn and anyone who thinks otherwise needs to be educated.
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We can only thank Lady Luck or our imagined deities that these people were not making the decision, or we really would be the last in line, unless of course they think the EU would prioritise us over its members.
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