Political journalists may be locked out of the corridors of power, but in some ways their work has got easier

Though we lack the same access to MPs, writes Rob Merrick, our tough questions are becoming harder to dodge

Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, takes a question from ITV’s Robert Peston (AFP)

There is a lengthy pause, the annoying staccato of crackling on the line. We wait, unsure whether this means that the prime minister’s spokesman has caught coronavirus. He hasn’t yet.

Inevitably, we are interrupted by a dog barking, what sounds like someone tearing through a railway tunnel and dull background conversations, followed by messages pleading with people to mute.

Welcome to the reality of trying to hold Boris Johnson (and Dominic Raab) to account in lockdown – when political journalists are banished from what we like to call “the corridors of power”.

Instead of being able to look the No 10 spokesman in the eye to probe the latest developments, we must make do with the frustrations of a conference call from our homes.

Of course, the remote daily briefing is just one of the ways the job of holding the powerful to account has become more difficult for The Independent’s political staff, banished from Westminster as we are.

Fans of The West Wing probably remember how the hacks were able to roam around the White House, conveniently bumping into key aides who promptly divulged their secrets.

Sadly, it’s not quite that easy in our system – Downing Street is behind locked gates, of course – but the advantage of being able to meet senior MPs and advisers in parliament in the flesh cannot be overstated.

I remember fondly stories I uncovered only because I was in the right place at the right time, to chat with an MP who only knew and trusted me because of some past connection, such as battling on the football field.

So honesty demands I admit that something valuable has been lost with lockdown – but something valuable has also been gained, I believe.

Before the recent terrible events, the government – arrogant with power – was boycotting much of the media, and swatting away even the questions it did allow to be asked.

Now, we have daily conferences, where scientists and medical advisers shame their political masters by giving direct answers.

Furthermore, with huge audiences watching, ministers have been forced to concede follow-up questions to journalists, which have wheedled out vital information.

So all is not lost – and we continue to ask the questions and demand the answers our readers deserve.

Yours,

Rob Merrick

Deputy political editor