Government ‘Match-Fit’ for Covid Crisis Thanks to No-Deal Brexit Preparations, Says Michael Gove
In a testimony to the Covid Inquiry, Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, credited the UK’s preparations for a no-deal Brexit with making the government more prepared to handle the pandemic crisis. Gove, who played a key role in the Brexit preparations, praised the ability of ministers and officials to work swiftly. He emphasized the value of their prior experience in operating at a rapid pace, dismissing suggestions that Brexit had hindered the country’s readiness for the pandemic. Instead, he argued that Brexit had actually improved the UK’s ability to respond to the Covid crisis.
Gove highlighted his role as chair of the ‘XO’ Cabinet committee, which diligently met daily to ensure the UK was ready for Brexit, including considering the possibility of leaving the EU without a deal. The committee’s commitment to meeting deadlines fostered a faster tempo within Whitehall, as Gove explained, “One of the challenges that Whitehall and ministers faced is, because there was a deadline – of course the deadline was extended – but because there was a deadline, we knew that with a ticking clock at our back we needed to proceed at pace.” He praised the committee’s daily battle rhythm, acknowledging that it would not have been sustainable under normal circumstances. However, Gove believed that this accelerated pace of work had ultimately made the government more prepared for the unprecedented events of the pandemic.
Furthermore, Gove argued that the preparation for Brexit had equated to valuable preparation for any future crisis. The skills and expertise gained during the EU exit process provided the government with an organizational system and a cadre of individuals better equipped to respond to the pandemic. Gove firmly rejected the notion that Brexit preparations had diverted resources and attention away from pandemic planning, countering that he had not seen any evidence to suggest that the government could have significantly better handled the Covid crisis if it had not been engaged in EU exit activities.
Previously, Nicola Sturgeon, the former Scottish first minister, had claimed that planning for a no-deal Brexit had detracted from preparations for a potential pandemic. Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford also suggested that Brexit had consumed ministers’ time, hindering their readiness for the Covid crisis. However, Gove dismissed these claims and stated that he did not believe any activity related to Brexit had prevented the UK from effectively responding to the pandemic.
Overall, Gove’s testimony portrayed the UK government as well-prepared and adaptable due to its prior experience with Brexit, enabling it to respond more effectively to the challenging circumstances of the pandemic crisis.
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