Coronavirus diary, Tuesday 19 May

The pandemic is putting a strain on the unity of the United Kingdom. Instead of pulling together the four countries are going their own way, adding to the general confusion exposed almost daily by conflicting reports from government ministers.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are taking the opportunity to rebel against what they see as a dominant England with the Prime Minister dismissive of them and their legitimate aspirations and responsibilities for their people.
He does not seem to appreciate the danger and increasing possibility of a disunited UK.

The latest example of the revolt is the decision of all three devolved countries making their own decisions on relaxing the lockdown, to follow their own chosen path in what is probably the most crucial to be made in defeating the coronavirus. All have ignored England's early easing up orders, maintaining strict lockdown but introducing their own variations - from today Northern Ireland is allowing larger groups of people to gather.

They are accused of political opportunism when unity has never been more important for the nation's future.

Nicola Sturgeon

Scotland is considered the main culprit, the Prime Minister accusing Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's First Minister, of craftily taking advantage of the crisis to advance its case for independence.  She hits back by asserting she is only following the wishes and interests of the majority in Scotland. She is seizing the opportunity by criticising Johnson's every move while conveniently forgetting her own deficiencies.

Bombings in Wales, 1969

Independence is a forlorn hope, impractical, for Wales and Northern Ireland. Wales's half hearted campaign peaked    50 years ago with a small band of hot heads. The 'highlight' was a number of bombings around Wales at the time of Prince Charles' investiture as Prince of Wales in Caernarfon in 1969. 

Both countries have the responsibility to safeguard and improve life for their people which, they maintain. could be achieved in the aftermath of the pandemic by having greater control, responsibilities and finance. The government could avert the danger of the union splitting up by conceding. They could make the devolved countries more efficient by altering the funding, giving them more power to manage their own tax system and, most important, give their local authorities greater power and responsibility, especially in overhauling social care. 

Local government has been brought to its knees by years of neglect and two complicated reorganisations. Now is the time for unity, not division.