Whatever, but history tells us that this is the sort of scenario that can lead to the defeat of even popular prime ministers and their governments who had only a few months earlier been hailed as the “deliverer from Evil”.
Winston Churchill's government was unceremoniously dumped immediately following the end of World War 2 after successfully guiding the nation through its darkest hours.
It would seem that voters are quick to forget previous loyalties when their personal aspirations might be enhanced by others offering more rewarding prospects for a tired, battle-scarred populace.
Basking in the glory of a magnificent victory soon pales when contemplating a future that threatens jobs for the returning heroes, so it was understandable that in those circumstances, Clement Atlee's offer gained the votes.
That obvious precedent for the potential consequences of our own Government's actions would no doubt have been foremost in the minds of Labour's spin doctors when weighing up whether this move could be justified politically.
I take my hat off to the Government for having the courage to show a rare glimpse of what is left of their commitment to the nation's future, rather than just to those whose lifestyles have been totally protected during the whole time that Covid has dictated who lives and who dies.
I say that as one who has seen a significant loss of income (more than half) as a result of the Government's necessary and justified actions during the pandemic.
It is worth noting that others in the private sector have lost everything through no fault of their own — just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Perhaps those members in the public service who will still retain their $100,000-plus salaries in spite of these new measures should reflect on just how lucky they are.
It could have been, and for some it is, so much worse.
