David Gauke

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @matthewsyed: The head in Batley issued a grovelling apology before the investigation had even started. The local MP endorsed the apolog… — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@t0nyyates That is true but has anyone done that? Especially after having funded the development of drug etc. As you know, I’m a critic of the nationalist tendencies of this Govt but I think that’s an unreasonable test. (Although I do think we should now offer some of the Halix doses.) — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@t0nyyates I don't think they're equivalent. And taking the logic to its extremes, purchasing any vaccines deprives others. My point really is that a system whereby purchasers & producers can contract in confidence is more likely to increase the amount of vaccines produced in total. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

More widely, we need to patch up our relationship with the EU. Endless antagonism will not serve our interests. /ENDS — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

The UK is in a strong legal & moral position in the vaccine dispute. But the wise approach would be to reduce tensions. The national interest would be served by making some contribution to helping the EU out, even if the Commission doesn’t really deserve it. /7 — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

Calmer heads have now prevailed. But the row reveals that the relationship between the EU/UK is fragile, there's little trust (for which I think the UK's approach to the NI Protocol is largely to blame). Both sides can harm the other but the smaller party is at greater risk. /6 — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

Does the fault lie with AZ for breaching its contract? Lots of accusations along those lines but if the way AZ is allocating doses is contrary to its contractual obligations, you'd expect the Commission to take legal action. It hasn't. /5 — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

The EU was slower than the UK in agreeing contracts. This is one of those areas where member states would've acted faster (as we would've done had we still been EU members). Also, unlike the UK, the EU didn't seem to foresee US protectionism. This is not the UK's fault. /4 — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

Blocking manufacturers from exporting doses would constitute vaccine nationalism (which the US and India have done) is protectionist. Contracting to purchase the first doses produced by a manufacturer is not. The deal also accelerated production of the vaccine. /3 — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

On the criticism of the UK for being protectionist, I think that is unfair. Acting quickly to support the development & production of vaccines was the right call. Making sure that the UK got priority access as part of the deal was reasonable - it's what you'd expect. /2 — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

My piece for @ConHome where I argue that 1) the UK is not guilty of vaccine protectionism 2) the EU mishandled vaccine procurement and 3) whoever is to blame over vaccines, the row reveals that the EU/UK relationship is not working. /1 https://t.co/YmQBNULpKF — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @TomMcTague: .@DavidGauke once again showing the admirable quality of keeping his head while many others appear to be losing theirs. The… — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@TomMcTague Thanks, Tom. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @willieckerslike: @SpinningHugo @DPJHodges @delmcl @tconnellyRTE @rtenews True, but a thing which really bugs me and which @davidgauke h… — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@martin_finch @ConHome I agree that this has been a real problem but didn’t have space to address it in my piece. The bad messaging on the AZ efficacy/risks has been at the member state level rather than from Brussels (the EMA has been slow but sensible). — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @Sime0nStylites: I have some quibbles with this but on the whole I agree. Not least because the UK contractual situation is a relatively… — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

The accusation that the UK has behaved badly in its vaccine policy is nonsense; the EU has mishandled its approach to vaccines & it’s unlikely to have a strong legal case vs AZ; but we need to make the EU/UK relationship work. My piece for @ConHome. https://t.co/YmQBNULpKF — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

In the BBC's annual report, there isn't a single picture of a pint of milk. Typical. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @DavidGauke: Surely the libertarian position (which is usually the position @SteveBakerHW takes) is that a pub landlord should be able t… — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @AuroraIntel: …. https://t.co/NHS0BM1uYI — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @rafaelbehr: Column on the UK-shaped hole in the EU - a problem for both sides. Also, UK in the the sour spot in terms of size relativ… — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @LochfyneLangous: BREIXT update !!! 38 pages of paperwork today to export to France over £500 in EXTRA costs per shipment absolute madne… — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@LuciusPim Sam Allardyce's 'robust' Bolton vs George Burley's cultured Ipswich. I assume that Westbourne were the equivalent of Bolton. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

Wouldn't normally tweet a goal scored against Ipswich* but this by Frank Worthington (whose death was announced today) is a bit special. Even the ref applauds. *Final score Bolton 2-3 Ipswich Town https://t.co/L7R4zSkEDR — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @DavidHenigUK: From common wisdom to dangerous radicalism in five years of UK politics. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

Can we all agree that trade enhances prosperity; that trade is facilitated by predictable rules-based systems; that trust between nations helps international trade; and that governments should be ambitious in removing trade barriers? And that we apply that approach consistently? — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

“These are not European Union vaccines. These are vaccines paid for by other countries that are manufactured in Europe.” — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@Sime0nStylites @t0nyyates Indeed. But once we start going down that path, where would it end? — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@Sime0nStylites @t0nyyates You mean, trying.... diplomacy? — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@annettedittert I’ll take any consolation from this row where I can find it. — PolitiTweet.org