Three little words that could cost Boris

Boris Johnson knows the value of three-word slogans. ‘Take back control’ and ‘get Brexit done’ helped propel him to his two greatest electoral triumphs. But another three words that no one would ever put on a campaign poster might determine the success of his premiership: public service reform.

Johnson has taken an unusual decision for a Tory prime minister. He has chosen to raise personal and business taxes to put more money into public services. This gamble may pay off if people feel that services have improved. If they do not, he risks an angry electorate who are paying more tax yet not getting anything extra in return.

No. 10 is aware of this danger, which is why Johnson puts such an emphasis on delivery. But this is more difficult than it sounds. Just look at what has happened to the reconstituted No. 10 delivery unit. Johnson brought back this Tony Blair innovation this year at the recommendation of Michael Barber, its first head. Emily Lawson — who led the operational delivery of the vaccine rollout — was recruited to run it. The message was obvious: every process in government should be as rapid and successful as the vaccine programme. Yet a few months on and Lawson is, temporarily, back with the NHS. The booster jab programme had run into trouble in her absence and No. 10 is relying on vaccines to keep Covid at manageable levels this winter. Lawson is expected to stay in her role until at least the new year.

Those with knowledge of the vaccination campaign say it has been stretched too thin by trying to do boosters while also vaccinating teenagers and persuading those who have never been jabbed to come forward.