Sir Charles Walker reflects upon the pandemic policies that he vehemently criticized over the past eleven months. What makes him uneasy is the level of public support these policies received. According to him, “I do think the public has to accept some responsibility because during the strictest lockdowns, 85% of the country was in favor of them. We all share some responsibility as a result. Much of this was done with our consent, and it gained public support.”
Furthermore, he believes that the government may have continued these policies because they were hugely popular at the time. Sir Charles Walker, the former vice-chair of the influential 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs, expresses these views in a podcast episode called “Planet Normal,” co-hosted by columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. You can listen to the full episode using the audio player above.
Mr. Walker, who regularly voices concerns about the long-term effects of lockdowns, also condemns certain actions taken by the government and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), describing them as “wicked.” He believes the individuals responsible for promoting these actions should feel ashamed.
During the discussion, he shares his concerns about the profound impact on mental health within the nation, particularly in relation to the events at Downing Street known as “Partygate.” He warned throughout the lockdowns that the immense demands placed on people would have significant consequences for their mental health and well-being. Now, he observes that much of the grief and anger is concentrated on questioning what really transpired at Number 10.
Regarding whether the Prime Minister should step down, Sir Charles Walker wants Boris Johnson to make that decision for himself because he respects him and believes he should have agency in the process. However, he does encourage the Prime Minister to take the “brave and noble” step of resigning on his own terms.
You can listen to the full interview with Sir Charles Walker MP on Planet Normal, a weekly Telegraph podcast that presents news and perspectives from outside the traditional sphere. You can find the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast app.
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