In the alternative universe in which I advise David Cameron, here’s what I would have proffered in advance of his appearance at the Covid inquiry: offer a concession of failure on the part of your administration, presenting an image of humility without inviting public anger. Crucially, deflect attention away from the policies you pursued that stripped Britain of its defences when the pandemic hit.
Nothing fits the bill better than expressing regret that, in discussions about possible pandemics, there was too much of a focus on influenza at the expense of coronaviruses. It’s calibrated to steal headlines. Rather than say “David Cameron denies austerity left Britain unprepared for Covid”, there will be a sense of you looking reflective about how things could have been done differently.
