Inside Politics: Tory MPs demand plan to reopen schools

Sunday’s sudden arrival of snow had “Narnia” trending on social media – as families emerged from lockdown into a wonderland of sledding, snowmen and snowball fights. As we head back through the wardrobe into the working week, everything is covered in a thick blanket of obscurity. Boris Johnson’s government faces a blizzard of questions – and no clear answers. Ministers have no idea how long lockdown will last, when schools will re-open, or whether the variant is more deadly. Hopefully they can begin filling in some of the blanks soon.

Inside the bubble

Deputy political editor Rob Merrick on what to look out for today:

Ministers will continue to discuss proposals for new travel restrictions – including a hotel quarantine plan – but they’re not expected to meet to approve anything until Tuesday. Meanwhile, Labour is holding an opposition debate on post-Brexit workers’ rights following several reports the Conservatives are keen to water down protections.

Daily briefing

HOTEL QUARANTINO: Ministers are thought to be close to agreeing a hotel quarantine plan. Rishi Sunak has “thrown his weight” behind the idea of forcing everyone entering the UK to quarantine in hotels for 10 days, according to The Times. Officials are said to be confident about finding enough rooms for arrivals (around 10,000 a day). Transport secretary Grant Shapps has been arguing that it should only apply to passengers arriving from countries with new variants. But the chancellor appears to have sided with Matt Hancock and Priti Patel on making it a blanket restriction. It comes as the Hancock revealed that 77 cases of the variant detected in South Africa had been found in the UK. The health secretary couldn’t shed light on much else, saying he did not when lockdown could be lifted or anything would restart. Following Boris Johnson’s stunning announcement that the variant discovered in the UK could be more deadly, Hancock said scientists are “not exactly certain” yet how dangerous it really is.

SCHOOL DAZE: Tory MPs are now demanding the government set out a “route map” for the reopening of schools in England, frustrated by Hancock’s failure to guarantee they would be back before Easter. Robert Halfon – education committee chair – has asked for an urgent question in the Commons today, and is asking that No 10 considers a bold adjustment to its vaccination programme. “If it means priority vaccinations for teachers … then it is worth it.” Education secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to confirm this week that children will not be returning to class after the February half-term break. The Telegraph reports that No 10 has the vague aim of getting pubs open by June, with the G7 summit in Cornwall now on everyone’s minds. Meanwhile, Hancock was again forced to defend the 12-week gap between vaccine doses as the best way to “save most lives fastest”. Rosie Shire from the Doctors’ Association UK said Pfizer had only tested a three-week wait – arguing the current roll-out amounts to an “unlicensed trial.”

TRANS EUROPE SUCCESS: Run a business? Having Brexit problems? Maybe you should think about sodding off to Europe? That, essentially, is the remarkable message given by government advisers right now. It emerged over the weekend that firms with export troubles have been encouraged by Whitehall trade officials to set up subsidiaries in the EU, if they want to be a success after Brexit. “They told me setting up a fulfilment centre in the EU where we could pack the boxes was my only solution,” said Cheshire Cheese Company co-founder Simon Spurrell, who is now looking at setting up in France. “What was Brexit for?” he asked. Meanwhile, the Road Haulage Association has revealed the extent of Britain’s export slump. “There is not normal demand from exporters, which means around 40 per cent [of hauliers] are returning to the continent empty,” said chief executive Richard Burnett. And in case you missed it at the weekend, at least £100,000 of tariffs have been slapped on Fairtrade bananas from Ghana because of Brexit.

EPIC FAIL: Gordon Brown has another one of his gloomy warnings for the future of the union. The former PM said the government must reform how it is governed or risk becoming a “failed state”. Brown urged Boris Johnson to set up a commission to review how the country is run. It follows a weekend poll showing 52 per cent to 48 per cent support for Scottish independence (when don’t knows are removed). Former Brexit negotiator Oliver Lewis is reportedly taking charge of No 10’s strategy to save the union, which could include offering more devolution as a third option in any referendum, according to The Sunday Times. The SNP set out its strategically vague plan for a second referendum at the weekend, hinting at a wildcat vote if Westminster refuses a legal plebiscite. Nicola Sturgeon refused to rule out an “advisory” referendum without permission from No 10 – but told Marr: “I want to have a legal referendum.” She taunted Johnson with a bit of Robert Burns: “Cowerin’, timorous beastie, what a panic’s in thy breastie.”

DIFFERENT WOKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS: Boris Johnson enjoyed his first conversation with president Joe Biden. The pair talked about “the benefits of a potential free trade deal” between the UK and the US, according to No 10’s readout of the call – with Johnson stating his intention “to resolve existing trade issues as soon as possible”. Meanwhile, Lisa Nandy has had to clear up exactly what she meant by calling Biden “woke” (perhaps slightly embarrassed by the fuss caused). She meant he stands up to overseas aggressors. Hmmm. The government’s latest attempt to stir up the anti-woke brigade sees a proposal for more streets named in honour of holders of the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. Meanwhile in Wales, the Tory party has picked a new leader – Andrew RT Davies. He’s the guy who recently likened the attack on the US Capitol to the campaign for a fresh Brexit referendum. He takes charge only weeks after accusing Keir Starmer of hypocrisy for condemning the riot incited by Donald Trump.

MAN WITHOUT A PLAN: Joe Biden’s new chief of staff Ron Klain said the Trump administration’s roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine had been “chaotic” – lacking any clarity from federal government for the distribution of jabs across the nation. It has emerged that several people within the Trump White House believed the Covid pandemic was a “hoax”, Task force co-ordinator Dr Deborah Birx told CBS News: “There were people who definitely believed that this was a hoax,” and admitted she constantly felt like quitting. Dr Anthony Fauci has also talked what it was like working for Trump, and to feel his life was in danger because he was seen to contradict him. “They knew where my kids work, where they live. The threats would come directly to my children’s phones, directly to my children’s homes,” he told The New York Times in an interview.

On the record

“The new variant I really worry about is the one that is out there that hasn’t been spotted.”

Matt Hancock considers raises fear of more, undiscovered variants

From the Twitterati

“There is plenty of support for growing more of our own food. Tell your local supermarket we want more UK produce.”

Tory MP John Redwood thinks we can end our Brexit blues by buying British…

“Go tell that to the fishermen whose produce is rotting unsold because the lies you and yours told to win Brexit have proven to be just that.”

…but Alastair Campbell is having none of it.

Essential reading

Caroline Lucas, The Independent: The environment bill is badly flawed – it’s unenforceable

Hamish McRae, The Independent: Brexit disruption has been greater than Leavers expected

John Harris, The Guardian: These are big moments in our history. Why is Labour’s response so small?

Jonathan Chait, New York Magazine: Republicans have decided not to rethink anything after Trump

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