Politicising and depoliticising covid-19: four narratives the government used to manage the balance between taking credit and apportioning blame

Peter Kerr and Steve Kettell examine the politicising and depoliticising effects of the various stories that were deployed by the government in its response to the coronavirus crisis during its daily press briefings over a 2-month period between 16 March and 16 May 2020. They identify four key narratives: unprecedented government activism; working to plan; national security, wartime unity and sacrifice; and scientific guidance.