Kirsty Strickland: Were Sajid Javid’s shameful comments calculated, not careless?

The new UK Health Secretary has an easier job than that of his predecessor. And not just because he isn’t having to divide his time between his ministerial brief and an illicit affair. Javid was brought in at a time when the vaccination programme deployed across the UK was already deemed a huge success. Coronavirus restrictions were all but over and the UK Government’s sporadic televised briefings were even fewer and further between.

It would have been easy therefore, for the new Health Secretary to do very little and blame any failures on his predecessor while claiming any wins for his own.

However, it seems that Javid is not content to merely coast to the post-pandemic finish line. With one eye on his future career prospects and, in the manner of the man currently holding the top job, he is determined to make a splash.

Former health secretary Matt Hancock

That is the only plausible explanation for the utter failure of empathy he showed at the weekend. In a tweet, Javid announced he had made “a full recovery” from his recent bout of coronavirus.

Good news. This virus is a terrible beast and only the most hard of heart would send anything other than good wishes for a speedy recovery to those who fall ill with it.

But Javid went on: “Please, if you haven’t yet, get your jab, as we learn to live with, rather than cower from, this virus.”

Cower from it? Really?

His word choice suggests an alternate reality from the one we have suffered through for more than a year; one where our compliance with restrictions was born of cowardice rather than good sense and care for our fellow citizens. It implies there was something altogether spineless in our adherence to the rules, where washing hands, keeping our distance and staying home – to the detriment of our physical and mental health – was a wimp’s choice, and not the guidance set out by his government.

Worse still is the message his thoughtlessness sends to those shielding or who have been bereaved, as it frames coronavirus as a fist fight, and not an invisible, airborne virus that doesn’t spare the tough or the bold or those that are “brave” enough to fight against it.

If we are to be charitable, though frankly I’m not minded to be, we might believe Javid didn’t realise the hurt and anger that his “cower from” comments would provoke.

Perhaps he didn’t think through the implications of his words. I don’t believe that is the case, but if it is, then that sends its own message about his fitness to serve as Health Secretary during such a crucial stage of the pandemic.

The co-founder of action group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, Jo Goodman, described Javid’s comments as “deeply insensitive”. She said: “Not only are they hurtful to bereaved families, implying our loved ones were too cowardly to fight the virus, but they insult all those still doing their best to protect others from the devastation this horrific virus can bring.”

Munira Wilson, the LibDem health spokesperson, also condemned Javid for his callousness. She said: “His careless words have insulted every man, woman and child who has followed the rules and stayed at home to protect others. He owes them all, especially the millions who are shielding, an apology.’’

It would be a mistake to view Javid’s comments in isolation, or as a merely an unfortunate word choice.

The Health Secretary chose to frame our response to coronavirus as either cower or courage at a time when backbench Tory MPs are restless about the very few restrictions that remain in place in England.

They are deeply unhappy with the so-called pingdemic in England and see it not as a sign that the virus is rampaging out of control, but as a reason to ditch self-isolation rules altogether. There are rumblings about the possibility of vaccine passports and Boris Johnson – despite what some would see as a reckless pursuit of “Freedom Day’’ – is seen by his Tory critics as being too cautious.

To hell with the consequences, Javid is on manoeuvres. He’s sent out the Bat-Signal to dissatisfied Tory MPs that he hears their concerns and is better placed than Johnson to respond in the way they would like.

Meanwhile, thousands of people across the UK are fearful of the months ahead, as the UK Government continues to treat their lives as expendable.

There is, of course, an irony here. Who else could you imagine showing such a cruel disregard for their fellow citizens? Is there another politician that would use inflammatory language for political gain? Another man who would put his own political interests ahead of the responsibilities of his office?

If Javid used the word “cower” without realising the distress it would cause then shame on him.

If he used it with his future leadership bid in mind then also shame on him, but we all know where he learned such tawdry tactics from.