Stormont politicians have subcontracted Covid decisions to health officials, which is a dereliction of leadership

The role of the government minister is, in theory, an esteemed one. Decisions are made which impact upon those they wish to govern.

It is therefore incumbent upon those who hold office to ensure the decisions they make are reached in an assiduous fashion to win public approval.

Advice should be sought from a variety of sources — legal, economic, commercial etc for the minister to have a comprehensive understanding of the policy they wish to pursue.

With regards to Covid-19, advice and evidence should be garnered from a range of suitable sources about the nature of the disease, the infectious nature of it, the mortality rate and who is at risk from contracting it.

Ministers should consult widely, not only about the policy but also the consequences of implementation.

In recent weeks, the BMA have taken upon themselves to issue statements publicly about the need for lockdowns to be implemented.

This is a fundamental breach of our democratic process. It is not within the remit of medical practitioners to play the role of the politician without a mandate and shape public policy as they see fit. It is why we elect politicians and pay them handsomely for what they do.

‘Advisers advise and ministers decide’ as someone once said.

It is patently obvious that decision making in recent weeks, if not months, has been subcontracted out to public health bodies like the BMA by the Stormont executive.

Not only is this a dereliction of duty, it is an overt display of cowardice by those who enjoy the trappings of high office but shirk the responsibilities that come with it.

The announcement of another lockdown is not only a travesty, but an inferred admission by our executive that they do not know what they are doing.

What exactly will be achieved by another lockdown where previous ones failed? What is the alternative strategy should this approach not arrest the problem once and for all?

Jobs will be lost, livelihoods will be destroyed and the social wellbeing of society is at breaking point. It has not gone unnoticed that those voices calling for lockdown are not at risk of losing their jobs. Perhaps this should give pause for thought.

The executive is in the last chance saloon. If they fail then resignations should be sought.

We cannot, and should not, endure another year of this folly.

Adrian Lonergan, Belfast BT7

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