Better together: Boris pleads for united front in new Covid fight
BORIS Johnson wants a ‘united approach’ to tackling the resurgence of coronavirus across the United Kingdom.
The Prime Minister yesterday held talks with Nicola Sturgeon and other devolved leaders ahead of giving a statement to MPs at Westminster today.
He will also convene a meeting of the cross-UK Cobra emergency committee this morning.
During yesterday’s talks, he stressed his ‘great concern’ about rising virus rates, and said he was taking the issue ‘very seriously’.
Miss Sturgeon is expected to give a statement to MSPs today – and has also backed a ‘four nation’ approach if possible.
New restrictions were announced in Northern Ireland last night, with a ban on households mixing indoors except for single-person ‘bubbles’.
Following yesterday’s talks, a Downing Street spokesman said: ‘Earlier today, the Prime Minister had calls with the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland about how coronavirus is spreading across the country.
‘During these calls, the Prime Minister made clear that the rising infection rates are a cause for great concern, which he is taking very seriously.
‘He reiterated his unwavering commitment to working with the devolved administrations as we continue to tackle the virus.
‘They all agreed to act with a united approach, as much as possible, in the days and weeks ahead.’
During lockdown, different rules were introduced in different parts of the UK.
Scots were not allowed to travel more than five miles for leisure, even though this restriction was not introduced south of the Border.
As lockdown restrictions have been relaxed across the country, different decisions have also been made about the reopening of bars and restaurants, the return of office workers and quarantine for people returning from some foreign destinations.
Before her talks with Mr Johnson yesterday, Miss Sturgeon said: ‘In that call, I will impress upon the Prime Minister my view that we need decisive, urgent and, as far as possible given our individual responsibilities, co-ordinated action across the UK.’
She had been considering what action could be taken over the weekend but agreed to delay a decision while exploring if a United Kingdom wide approach was possible.
She said: ‘I will be clear that I am willing to allow a bit more time for four-nations discussions to take place before making final decisions for Scotland.
‘But I will be equally clear that the urgency of this situation will mean that we cannot, must not and will not wait too long.’
On hearing a Cobra meeting has been confirmed for this morning, she said: ‘I think that’s positive and I’m pleased about that.’
Following the discussions between Mr Johnson and the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, a Welsh Government spokesman said: ‘The First Minister spoke to the Prime Minister this afternoon. The First Minister welcomed confirmation there will be a UK-wide Cobra meeting tomorrow.
‘The First Minister updated the Prime Minister about the measures the Welsh Government is taking in Wales to control an increase in cases of coronavirus and protect people’s health in parts of South Wales.
‘They agreed on the need to work on a four-nation basis to discuss UK-wide measures where these were necessary.’
‘We cannot wait too long’