A second lockdown is imminent – this is how opinion journalism will hold the government to account

As we stare down the barrel of a second wave of coronavirus – and another lockdown in everything but name – most of us would be forgiven for throwing up our hands in despair.  

Navigating coronavirus in the UK – and in England in particular – has been a terrifying roller coaster ride so far. And with further restrictions likely to be introduced in the near future, anger is understandably mounting.  

Though it may be tempting to give up at this point, our voices are only becoming louder and more intense, which is precisely what’s needed at this time.  Writers have rightly drawn attention to the issue of prioritising business and the economy over those who need support the most from the government at this time: pregnant women, refugees, the financially unstable, those struggling with addiction.  

Whatever happens – whether Boris Johnson goes ahead and confirms a second lockdown, likely seeing a sudden end to the recent push to reopen schools, workplaces, you name it – the public will continue to speak up. And the more of us do, the more our opinions, like the ones you see on a daily basis in Voices, will carry weight.  

We may be bitterly divided when it comes to subjects like Brexit, how we should tackle racism, even face masks. But one thing seems to be clear: it would be hard to describe the government’s approach to the pandemic as anything other than shambolic.  

With this absence of good judgement from our leaders, the solution is not necessarily to take matters into our own hands, but to remain just as vigilant as we were when lockdown was first announced earlier this year. Comment journalism is one way of doing that. And as winter approaches, we’ll make sure that even the most niche of issues created by the government’s lack of foresight are highlighted.  

Yours

Kuba Shand-Baptiste

Voices acting deputy editor