Even as it has sickened, the nation has been healing. Though isolated in their homes, the UK people have pulled together. Inspired by Captain Tom, and through countless acts of sacrifice, kindness, generosity, altruism and support, they have united in the face of a common enemy and begun to put the ugliness and division of the past four years behind them.

That coming together has mostly been despite, not because of, Boris Johnson and his government. But the Prime Minister does now have an opportunity to establish himself as leader of more than just the 44 per cent of voters who delivered him victory in last December’s general election.

New Statesman