Omicron triggers UK Plan B
Boris Johnson on Wednesday evening announced the UK would be moving into ‘Plan B’ following a rise in cases from the Omicron variant. The UK currently has 568 reported cases, with estimations that the variant is doubling in cases every 2-3 days.
The Omicron variant is a highly mutated form of COVID-19, making some speculate the vaccine may be less effective in combatting it, therefore there are worries it will overwhelm already at-limit hospitals in the UK. Some commentators have noted the announcement may have come at this time to distract the public from the Downing Street party scandal.
Allegra Stratton resigns over party scandal
Earlier this week, a video came out showing Allegra Stratton taking part in a mock press-briefing on the 22nd December 2020, in which she joked about a party that Downing Street had hosted on the 18th of December 2020. Stratton was Johnson’s spokesperson at the time. This has sparked huge public outcry, as only one day after the alleged party last year, Johnson ‘cancelled Christmas’ for everyone across the UK. Many have branded the Conservative party as sleazy and hypocritical due to this breach – Stratton also joked that social distancing has not been followed. Many Conservative MPs too are angry at this news, and on Wednesday, Johnson faced a tough PMQs as Kier Starmer challenged him on the issue.
Queen Elizabeth removed as head of state for Barbados
Barbados has removed the Queen as its head of state, making it a republic, congratulating them on this ‘momentous’ occasion. The ceremony consisted of music and dance from Barbados, culminating with Sandra Mason being sworn in as Barbados’ first president.
Will it snow for Christmas?
The coldest winter for 10 years means we are in store for relentless storms for the coming month. This does, however, allow for the possibility for a white Christmas in London as it has been snowing around the UK in the last week. A snowstorm left customers stranded in a pub, ‘Tan Hill In’ on Friday, listening to an Oasis tribute band. There are worse place to be stranded, right?
Boris Johnson’s new plan to tackle drug use
In his new 10-year plan, Boris Johnson has outlined harsher punishments for drug use. The government says that recreational drug users may lose their driving license or passport, allocating new money for treatment and recovery. This strategy suggests that addiction will now be treated as a health condition in an aim to reduce stigma around it, and judges under this new scheme will have power to randomly drug test anyone serving a drug-related community sentence.
