'Why didn't you close our borders?': Questions for Boris Johnson from Gazette readers

When will lockdown end? When will the entire population be vaccinated? Will we ever get back to ‘normal’?

We asked the Gazette’s readers what they would ask Boris Johnson, if they could pose a question to the Prime Minister.

More than 250 people responded, keen to quiz the man in the top job.

Here are just ten of the most popular queries - which we’ve asked No.10 on your behalf.

#1 Why didn’t you close our borders sooner?

This was by far the most popular question. 

One commenter wrote:  “Why weren’t the borders closed in feb last year? We’re an island we could have easily helped stop transmission from travel, only need to look at the success of Taiwan to see as an island it can be done! They immediately closed their borders and issued all to wear masks straight away!”

Another added: “He wanted Brexit to control our borders, yet why can’t he control them during a pandemic?”

#2 Why didn’t you extend the initial lockdown for longer?

Many are wondering whether restrictions were eased too quickly, giving false hope.

One reader said: “Why did you say we could come out of lockdown, then keep putting us back in when you know cases are rising? We would have much rather stayed in lockdown longer the first time for cases to go down massively.” 

#3 Why hasn’t there been extra support for pensioners?

One concerned commenter wrote: “What about the pensioners? Extra money for those on universal credit, but nothing extra for pensioners who have to be at home - extra heating and food bills because they can’t go to family or lunch clubs.”

#4 Is different restrictions in the devolved nations the best way forward?

Although there have been some similarities, many of the decisions throughout the pandemic appear to have been taken separately by England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

One reader said: “Why are the rules different for Wales Scotland and Ireland? I thought we were the UK so we should have one rule not split in segments.”

#5 Will there be refunds for university students?

Having lost out on months of in-person teaching, some students feel compensation is needed.

One person wrote: “When will uni student’s fees be reduced to reflect the level of actual education they are getting?”

#6 Why are some frontline workers not yet booked in for vaccinations?

One reader said: “I'm a community carer, why am I still waiting for my vaccine?”

This was echoed by many others, also raising concerns about the vaccination priority lists.

#7 How do they decide what is an essential workplace?

At various stages, only “essential workers” have been permitted to go to work, or have qualified for places at school for their children. But how is this decided?

One reader wrote: “Is it based on safety, mental health or the economy?”

#8 When can I go on holiday?

For others, the top question was as simple as this. When can I book off some quality time to spend seeing somewhere else?

Others took a  more humorous approach…

#9 Does pineapple belong on pizza?

The questions that divides the nation - people want to know which side of the debate the PM falls on! 

#10 Who’s your hairdresser?

Boris Johnson has previously been good-humoured when questioned about his infamous hair - but LOTS of our readers wanted to know, who styles it?