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I remember 1st COVID-19 statement to HoC by @MattHancock because I was one of the MPs who attended, concerned about FCO staff in Wuhan & Chinese record on underreporting major health outbreaks. To suggest the Govt was asleep at the wheel is wrong & unfair https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/did-the-government-really-brush-aside-the-coronavirus-threat-in-january-">https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/d...
Secondly it is really not that difficult to understand nor to get right.
It is COBR = Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms *NOT* COBRA.
Yet so many media get it wrong
These are simply meeting rooms in Cabinet Office - it’s not a situation room like a Mil HQ or in the White House 2/
It is COBR = Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms *NOT* COBRA.
Yet so many media get it wrong
These are simply meeting rooms in Cabinet Office - it’s not a situation room like a Mil HQ or in the White House 2/
Here’s how unmagical these rooms are - I went to a meeting in them every single week for almost three years.
These meeting rooms are well equipped w/equipment for video conf calls & have the necessary security measures to discuss sensitive / restricted topics. 3/
These meeting rooms are well equipped w/equipment for video conf calls & have the necessary security measures to discuss sensitive / restricted topics. 3/
COBR meetings are convened to coordinate Govt departments and agencies to tackle major Govt priorities or emergencies. For example the flooding a few years ago, during a terror attack or during the COVID-19 crisis 4/
When COBR meetings called, attendees are made up of the relevant departments - Ministers, Military & Civil Servants from relevant depts.
They convene to bring together the evidence, analysis & expertise spread across Govt to enable swift situation analysis & decision making 5/
They convene to bring together the evidence, analysis & expertise spread across Govt to enable swift situation analysis & decision making 5/
It is perfectly standard that a Health Secretary could chair a COBR meeting on a health issue, and the PM would be briefed afterwards as necessary.
Yes COBR meetings are often chaired by PMs, but not always - and this is a PM who recognises the expertise of those around him 6/
Yes COBR meetings are often chaired by PMs, but not always - and this is a PM who recognises the expertise of those around him 6/
COBR meetings - when they happen, who goes & how long they were - are too often the hook media become overly preoccupied with.
COBR is a convening tool, & important decisions are made at them.
It is the output that matters - COBR happens to ensure Govt is working cohesively 7/
COBR is a convening tool, & important decisions are made at them.
It is the output that matters - COBR happens to ensure Govt is working cohesively 7/
COBR meetings are not the be-all and end-all.
COBR is a convening tool.
COBR is not the final word on a Govt’s response.
COBR meetings are chaired by Secretaries of State & PM where appropriate
COBR meetings & their attendance is not the metric by which we judge success.
8/
COBR is a convening tool.
COBR is not the final word on a Govt’s response.
COBR meetings are chaired by Secretaries of State & PM where appropriate
COBR meetings & their attendance is not the metric by which we judge success.
8/
Here’s the Govt’s formal response to the Sunday Times article https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2020/04/19/response-to-sunday-times-insight-article/">https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2020/04/1...
