THREAD because this is really really important to remember when all of this is done, and we go to the polls again. We must not make the same mistakes of the past 10 years. Let’s be really clear how the Conservatives have gambled with your lives to save money and keep votes.

Weeks ago the EU announced it would be bulk buying ventilators, protective equipment, face masks and testing kits. They’re doing this under the joint procurement scheme which allows us to bulk buy and save money in doing so. Although we’re no longer in, the EU made space for us.

They asked us REPEATEDLY to sign up with them, in order to get life-saving equipment to us ASAP, after having taken an example off Italy. We ignored them. Our government ACTUALLY cut off OUR noses to spite their face. The UK refused point blank to even take the phone call from EU

As it stands, the EU went ahead and will have stocked up hospitals with vital life-saving equipment in the next two weeks. The UK will not receive NONE of that. Not one mask. Not one ventilator. And the EU asked us FOUR times to please reconsider and join them in solidarity.

Our response when we finally gave one? “No we’re not in the EU” ... This beggars belief. To save the shitty Brexiter support that has kept them in power, they’ve gambled with thousands of lives.

Then this week, the news spread with the mantra “we must put breathing over Brexit.” The government panicked as it got traction. And here’s what they said. Actually this is from your UK government:

“Oh we didn’t get the request. There was a mix up with emails.”
THAT IS BEYOND CONTEMPT. Either they’re lying or they’re beyond incompetent. A “mix up with emails”?! It’s an insult to our intelligence.

Immediately they realised that in times like this we don’t want political games. We want you to do whatever, and join whoever in saving our lives. EVERYTHING comes second to that not LEAST Boris Johnson’s Vanity Project. So. They did a U-Turn and now DO want to be in the club.

The government have said “it will consider taking part in future rounds of the EU’s procurement scheme.” This is no guarantee and they didn’t thr first four times, meaning whatever we do get could have been here weeks earlier.

The EU’s response? Nothing but dignity. After we lied about them, after we continue to disrespect them, they understand that lives come first and as our neighbours they want to help. A lot more than can be said for us.

So when this is all over, when we’re back to voting, REMEMBER THIS. The government cut the NHS consistently over ten years and threw it into crisis even BEFORE Corona. Now this, and they were too stubborn to take a generous offer from our closest neighbours.

In refusing to talk to the EU, this government has gambled with all of our lives not least front line NHS staff who will only start testing this week, THREE weeks into crisis and 2 months since the WHO announcement. Whatever clapping they’re doing outside no10 doesnt change that.

We can literally only beat this virus by working together. And we all are. We’re helping neighbours, donating, volunteering. And Boris Johnson etc. flat out refused direct help because they got worried how racist Ken from Southend would vote next time. Breathing OVER Brexit. Fin.