Why has the UK handled the COVID 19 pandemic so poorly?

Because people have not adhered to the rules of social distancing and not wearing face masks 

because the UK has so many Brexiteers that still haven't died-off yet, this was bound to happen :(

because people have horrible viruses and diseases and should be fenced up and patrolled by guards with battons only then will we as a humanity, live on.

we should erect giant watchtowers and electric fences and anybody with the virus should be contained.

only then as a humanity, will we move forwards but until then I'm afraid we're all going to die.

The pandemic exists only on the news! It's a massive hoax and I'm sure you have other reasons behind this "question".

the government forcing the public to be clueless in what they are supposed to be doing; making it one rule for them and another for the public, *cough* dominic cummings *cough* idgaf about his name. also backtracking on their "evidence" and decisions. Causing more lockdowns and longer recovery time.

Understand why the U.S. failed to handle this pandemic and you may begin to understand why the U.K. handled this pandemic so poorly!

An abundance of more established individuals since we had less kicking the bucket in the past 2 years, so they passed on this year. Inaccurate technique to recognize the infection, many being told they have it when they don't or are over the contamination. The current year's influenza is by and large wrongly distinguished as Coronavirus. Huge urban communities of settler populaces who can't incorporate nutrient D

An excess of older people because we had fewer dying in the previous 2 years, so they died this year. Incorrect method to identify the virus, many being told they have it when they don't or are over the infection. This year's flu is being wrongly identified as covid. Large cities of immigrant populations who cannot synthesise vitamin D

not as bad as the americans , 300,000 and still going up ..

Several main reasons:

1) Performing more tests, daily, will identify more infected people. The converse/corollary does not mean, "less testing results in less infections", but less testing would not identify those who are infected and and infection rate would be artificially low.

2) A more virulent mutation has been identified. Easier to transmit and, by the way, symptoms more severe.

3) Social distancing and face mask efforts we not enforced. The "hope" has been that people will do the right thing and do both, including self isolation. Too many people did not do these and asymptomatic carriers likely helped the spread.

4) Societal hypocrisy. Example: Close restaurants for indoor dining but church attendance is OK. Wait in line 6 feet apart to get into a store, but walk down an aisle and get within a foot of someone who may or may not be infected. Wait in line 6 feet apart to get into an airplane, but sit in seats within 6 feet of potentially infected people in an enclosed space. Families hosting gathering with people outside the regular household during Christmas (and New Year) celebrations. Lots more examples.

A few more, but these are the most likely, common, transmission vectors.