A LIFELONG Tory has said that those at the top of the Conservative party are more concerned about an extension to the Brexit transition period than further deaths from coronavirus.
Speaking with James O'Brien on LBC, caller Nick explained that he would not be sending his children back to school as he does not trust the government, despite being a lifelong voter for the party.
On the subject of Dominic Cummings remaining in his job, he told O'Brien: "He’s the reason I don’t trust the government, and in answer to your second question, what are they up to? It’s the B word. It’s the bloody B word.
“July is a very important point in terms of transition decisions, they need him to spin things, they need him to pitch the argument, and that is all it is.”
O'Brien then questioned what exactly the Government would be celebrating once the Brexit process is complete, with Nick answering: “They have an 80-seat majority, the election is four years away, they probably are saying ‘this will all be a horrible distant nightmare for many people’, and therefore if they can get Brexit done as such, they will therefore say ‘we delivered on our promises in the election, we got us through the pandemic’," before grimly adding: "no matter how many lives its cost us."
READ MORE: Brexit transition uncertainty ‘poses threat to stability in Northern Ireland’
He went on: “That’s how they will paint it, they are thinking ‘we want to make sure at the next election we maintain that majority’, we keep the northern constituencies that voted for us placated in thinking we delivered, that’s what they’re thinking about.
"It’s all about the next four years after this, and the key to that is delivering the B word.
“If they don’t deliver the B word it’s worse than another 50,000 people dying, in their view.”
Presenter O’Brien acknowledged: “I think you’re probably right, you know."
Calls to approach a possible delay to the tradition period have been continuously put down by the UK Government, despite warnings that the uncertainty caused by pushing ahead with Brexit will only add to the economic damage caused by Covid-19.
The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford last month accused the Conservative Government of behaving with the "height of irresponsibility" by not extending talks with the EU in the midst of the pandemic.
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier also said last week that the option for an extension to the December 31 deadline was there if the UK Government wanted it, but also warned that it must be realistic if it wants a deal upon exiting.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel