Thread by @JoHayesLibDem

On Twitter I’ve always aimed to convey fact-based views. As a Lib Dem I believe President #Macron is right to make #COVID health passes mandatory to protect the people of France’s freedoms. The #LibDems should do so too but took a mis-step at the spring 2021 conference. Why?

Because as President #Macron said, it’s about citizenship. Freedom only exists if the freedom of everyone is protected. If by exercising our freedom we contaminate our fellow citizens it’s become irresponsibility, which is worth nothing. The #LibDems motion, seeking a liberal

response to the pandemic, tried to do too much too fast. The motion actually says that the party rejects the need for ‘#vaccinepassports’ for domestic use. That was before the Delta variant took hold. Has the need changed? I think so. The motion says Conference believes

they’d disproportionately impact on those who haven’t yet been vaccinated. That loses cogency as the #vaccine rollout
progresses; & for those with medical contra-indications who can’t be vaccinated the alternative of a recent negative Covid test or presence of antibodies from a

previous infection can be written into the regulation. Then it says they’d be difficult to enforce & could be open to forgery: a weak point as it applies equally to any official certificate or pass, things we’ve long ago accepted as necessary in a well-run democracy. Besides,

the #LibDems policy is too narrow, doesn’t address alternatives. The French law allows alternatives: presentation of proof of vaccination, or a recent clear virological screening result, or a certificate of recovery from the virus. It applies to minors over 12. Certain categories

of employment such as health & nursing home staff require mandatory vaccination. Despite large demonstrations, the new policy is working as millions of French people are signing up to #getvaccinated. So where now with the #LibDems policy? It needs an update & overhaul in the

light of changed circumstances & facts. As Sen Daniel Moynihan said, we’re entitled to our own opinions but not our own facts. I have the good fortune of digital access to independent experts @IndependentSage who give us facts & opinions every Friday. They said infections,

hospitalisations & deaths are plateauing but at a high level. School holidays are helping slow the spread but that won’t be for long. Meanwhile huge problems face millions to make ends meet & cope with mental health issues as well as with #Covid. I believe President #Macron is

judging it right by facing down protests from the irresponsible fringes. He is supporting those who are scared, deterred by the risk of infection from going out, visiting loved ones, socialising, mixing. Who’s championing their freedom, speaking up for them on #PlagueIsland? It

ought to be the #LibDems as the heirs of the philosophical tradition expressed by John Stuart Mill, who defended individual liberty against governments but argued that power could rightfully be exercised over people against their will to prevent harm to others.