Time for True Leadership

At the time of my writing this, there has been a steady decline in the number of daily deaths caused by COVID-19 in Scotland. For several days there have been no deaths recorded, sadly today that is not the case. While each death is tragic, at least fewer is a sign of hope.

In other places – less progress. In fact, some places seem to be putting the economic recovery above lives. Protecting the economy is essential but profits can be regenerated – the lives of parents, children, brothers and sisters cannot.

The First Minister has taken this perspective and indeed it’s why Scotland continues to make progress in suppressing the virus. It has not come free of cost, but it is up to leaders to bear such costs in a crisis, that is why we choose them as our leaders.

Tim Martin, the founder of Weatherspoons has a different view of leadership. At the onset of the pandemic, he suggested that his staff should consider alternative jobs in grocery stores and he did so despite the announcement of a furlough scheme.

He actions suggest he sought to absolve himself of responsibility for his staff as soon as a crisis hit. He never even considered the fact that his suggestion might put some of his more vulnerable staff in danger.

The following quote from author Simon Sinek captures my exasperation perfectly:

“If our leaders are to enjoy the trappings of their position in the hierarchy, then we expect them to offer us protection. The problem is, for many of the overpaid leaders, we know that they took the money and perks and didn’t offer protection to their people. In some cases, they even sacrificed their people to protect or boost their own interests. This is what so viscerally offends us. We only accuse them of greed and excess when we feel they have violated the very definition of what it means to be a leader.”

Which brings me to another leader with close ties to Mr Martin. I refer to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Mr Johnson announced yesterday there would be a “new deal” for the UK.

What Mr Johnson is doing is creating the illusion of protecting our society from the economic fall out of this virus – because he thinks it’s a good PR move.

For perspective, the “new deal” proposed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1933 represented about 40% of 1929 GDP in the US, 40% of 2019 GDP in the UK would, therefore, be around £800 billion.

Now, if he was to match the investment being done in other European nations, we would be looking at about 4% of GDP or about £80 billion.

£5 billion isn’t going get us much economic protection.

It is vital that the Prime Minister reacts to this crisis in the manner it deserves and fulfils his obligation as a leader. If he needs some advice, I’m sure the First Minister will be ready to offer someone can only hope he listens.