A definitive list of the worst Tory U-turns in less than two years

It's been 24 hours since the Government's last nonsense

The Tories have experienced a difficult week in politics and that's saying something, as they seldom have a good one. It was so confusing it even had the Daily Mail scratching their heads, asking, 'Is anybody in charge at No10?'. To re-cap. In a flagrant display of either not giving a f*** or just being blind to the optics, the Tories rallied around and saved their mate, Owen Paterson, from suspension, only to U-turn on the decision. Paterson quit anyway, farewelling the "cruel world of politics", the very-same cruel world whose required standards he'd been found guilty of making an absolute mockery of. Boris Johnson's manoeuvring Wednesday to save Paterson was likened to "legalised corruption". Thursday's climbdown, well, that's perhaps another classic move in the Tories' playbook. Here are a few - well, 13 - of their more recent flip-flops to give you a little context (we've helpfully, kept them in date order so you don't lose track).

1) November 2021: “Egregious” lobbyist saved

On Thursday, the government was forced into a humiliating climbdown over a decision not to suspend "egregious" lobbyist, Tory MP Owen Paterson. Following 24 hours of public backlash, the government abandoned plans to create a Tory-dominated standards Committee. On Thursday, Tory MPs were furious to discover the PM Prime had withdrawn his support for Paterson, less than 24-hours after ordering them to support a controversial anti-sleaze amendment to protect him. By Friday morning, a Cabinet Minister was forced to apologise for the government's attempt to rewrite the rules on sleaze. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi, backtracking, said it was the "grown-up thing to do".

2) October 2021: You can't catch covid from your mates

On 21 October, Jacob Rees-Mogg announced a “convivial, fraternal spirit” negated a need for MPs to wear masks in the House of Commons. Three days ago Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, told MPs and Peers they should in fact be wearing face coverings. 

3) September 2021: You will absolutely need - I mean not need - Vaccine Passports

At the start of September, then-vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi set out plans to introduce Covid passports in high-risk venues. Days later, Health Secretary Sajid Javid vetoed the plans.

4) September 2021: The party of no tax rises, raises tax

The Tory Government was elected in 2019 on a manifesto pledge not to raise taxes.  In September, they broke their promise and announced National Insurance would rise by 1.25 percentage points from April 2022.  It is expected that graduates in the UK will be hit with a 50% tax rate on any additional money they are paid by their employers.

5) July 2021: What are the rules on self-isolation?

In July, it was reported that Sajid Javid had tested positive for Coronavirus, meaning Johnson and Sunak had been exposed to the virus.  In line with government guidance, the two would be expected to quarantine. However, fortuitously, the pair has been selected to take part in a pilot scheme that would have allowed them to continue working. Bizarrely, no one else in the country had ever heard of such a scheme. The government quickly u-turned, and both Chancellor and Prime Minister were forced into self-isolation

6) June 2021: Kissing could spread Coronavirus unless you are the Health Secretary

Leaked footage of the Health Secretary canoodling with his aide took the internet by storm.  The rendezvous had been captured in May, while indoor hugging was still banned under government guidance.  Ministers leaped to Hancock’s defence, but the government was eventually forced to concede the pictures weren’t great for national morale.  Hancock resigned as Health Secretary. 

7) January 2021: Go to school, don’t go to school

On January 4, millions of children returned to school under guidance from the Education Secretary that classrooms were safe.  That evening, the Prime Minister announced that English schools and colleges would close as part of a new national lockdown. 

8) December 2020: Deck the Halls will spores of the virus 

“We don’t want to ban Christmas, to cancel it, and I think that would be frankly inhuman and against the instincts of many people in this country,” Johnson promised. Four days later, Christmas was cancelled.  Last month it was alleged a friend of Johnson’s wife, Carrie Johnson spent Christmas in Downing Street. London was under strict Tier 4 restrictions in November, meaning there was a ban on indoor visitors aside from support bubbles.  It’s possible Johnson broke his own restrictions.

9) October 2020: We will absolutely not be locking down again

In a move that enraged his Scientific advisors, Johnson resisted calls for a “circuit breaker” lockdown, promising the UK there would not be a second lockdown. Two weeks later, we were in one.

10) September 2020: Go to work, don’t go to work

At the start of September, the government launched a campaign to get people back into the office.  Employers were asked to reassure staff it was safe to return to work, encouraging covid-safe measures including social distancing and good hygiene.   Three weeks later, then-cabinet secretary Michael Gove was forced into an embarrassing U-turn, conceding the advice was a change in Government guidance.

11) June 2020: Government admits it should feed hungry children

Mid-pandemic, the government announced it would not be extending its free school meals programme throughout the summer holidays.  The voucher scheme, worth £15 a week to recipients, was introduced to help poorer families eligible for free school meals feed their children during lockdown.  The government was forced into an embarrassing climbdown after Manchester United Player Marcus Rashford launched a campaign to reinstate the vouchers.  Despite the U-turn, in October some tory MPs were still arguing against providing the vouchers. Tory MP Mark Jenkinson said: “I know in my constituency that, as tiny a minority as it might be, food parcels are sold or traded for drugs.” Another Tory, Ben Bradley, in a now-deleted tweet, said: “At one school in Mansfield 75% of kids have a social worker, 25% of parents are illiterate. Their estate is the centre of the area’s crime. One kid lives in a crack den, another in a brothel. These are the kids that most need our help, extending FSM doesn’t reach these kids.” There is no tangible evidence for either claim. 

12) July 2020: Face masks absolutely do not work, or maybe they do

The government and its SAGE advisors spent a good few months deriding the value of wearing masks.  As late as June 2020, Hancock was negating their mandatory use in shops.  The following month the government announced face coverings would be made compulsory in a number of settings, including in shops and public transport. The messaging became even further confused after  Gove was spotted in a Pret-a-Manger with no mask on. 

13) March 2020: There is absolutely no need to do mass community testing

Early on in the pandemic, the government vetoed plans to continue mass coronavirus testing, despite advice the World Health Organisation expressly advising that it was vital. Shortly thereafter, Hancock announced a screeching U-turn, embarking on a mission to convince the country to stick swabs up their noses.

Related links

Disgraced MP Owen Paterson has resigned Tories announce humiliating U-turn over MP anti-sleaze regime All the times Boris Johnson holidayed during a national crisis All the cabinet ministers that broke the ministerial code All the times Boris Johnson denied climate change existed