The response to Covid-19 in England: political accountability and loss of trust

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon the nature of some elements of the UK Government’s response to COVID-19 in England. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is a reflective commentary based on a conceptual framing that reflects in turn on the use of performance measures in the building of trust and the author’s experience as a citizen. Findings: The English Government approach to controlling the progress of COVID-19 has been characterised by long-standing tenets of New Public Management that have undermined rather than created trust in their actions. Originality/value Originality can be found in the application of existing understandings to the novel situation of seeking to control the COVID-19 pandemic in England. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.