What is the point

The Prime Minister has a Parliamentary majority of something like 79 seats.

In normal times, this would mean he could pass whatever laws and legislation he and his Government wanted.

But, in that majority are at least 60 members of the ERG, and maybe 40 more who are lockdown sceptics.

Johnson is PM, but not in charge.

He can only pass legislation that his backbenchers will accept, or suffer and have the Opposition support them to ensure passage.

Labout lived through its "party within a party" phase with Militant in the 80s, and no has Momentum, now the Conservatives have the ERG.

What is the point of Whips and whipping if MPs no longer care?

The whole point of "first past the post" elections is that it creates "strong" Governments able to pass legislation.

This is no longer true.

Therefore what is the point of FPTP?

Johnson can impose stronger COVID measures, with the support of Labour, but that would probably force a vote of no confidence.

The chances of a moderate being elected to replace Johnson is remote, with all likelyhood it will be someone more towards the headbanger end of the spectrum.

Johnson knows stronger measures should have been imposed, so he chose not to so not to upset the ERG. The result is that hundreds, thousands, maybe tens of thousands will die. By the time the data is clear, it will be too late. That MPs still don't get this 21 months of the pandemic on, is mindblowing.

Still, we voted for these twats, so maybe we deserve it?