Edinburgh will remember decision over tier-three lockdown at election time Christine Jardine
What do these areas have in common? Merchiston and Greenhill, Willowbrae and Duddingston, South Gyle, Marchmont East and Sciennes, East Craigs North, Comely Bank, Broughton North and Powderhall, Balgreen and Roseburn, New Town East and Gayfield, Cramond and Craigentinny.
It is that between November
27 and December 3 none of these 11 areas of Edinburgh recorded a single new case of Covid-19. That is why there was a general feeling of optimism across the city last week.
We had followed the rules, the infection level was down and now the Scottish government would recognise that and reward us by moving the city down into tier two of their Covid-19 local protection levels.
But those waiting expectantly by their mobile phones for that nowfamiliar news alert did not get the good news they were expecting. It is important here to state that the hope for change being felt across the city was not some rebellious reaction to guidelines that were somehow regarded as Draconian or inappropriate. Far from it.
The vast majority of people I speak to or who contact my office are in complete agreement with the need to follow the guidance. We all want our loved ones, and ourselves, to be safe. Protected.
But just a few days before the official announcement the city had gained confidence that a change in status was likely when the directors of Public Health Scotland reportedly indicated that the city had met the required criteria.
That was why the news that the First Minister was not for budging came as such a shock and created a wave of public frustration. According to health officials, Edinburgh had met the criteria for tier two. According to the First Minister and her Cabinet, that did not matter.
Yes, there had been a steep rise in case numbers in the latter half of September, but with hard work and adherence to the guidelines they had fallen again to the required numbers for restrictions to be lessened. Added to that the rates in Edinburgh were now lower than Aberdeen and Falkirk who are already in level two. Even the explanation from the First Minister raised as many questions as it answered.
It would, we were told, open the festive floodgates for people from areas with higher levels of infections to invade the city and drive transmission rates up again.
That I could accept, were it not for the fact that those attractions which would provide the strongest magnets have already fallen victim to the virus regulations. There is no Christmas market, no George Street ice bar and rides. No Hogmanay.
In tier three, all Edinburgh shops can open if they follow the guidance and restaurants, bars and cafes must close and have all customers off the premises by 6pm. In level two those hospitality venues can stay open until 8pm indoors and outdoors until 10pm with the sale of alcohol allowed with meals.
And even if that small change is a huge attraction to people in surrounding higher tier areas, how would they get here? The rules say they should only travel for essential purposes. But perhaps that is the crux. Does the government believe that people will follow the rules?
It is clear from those communications in my inbox that the frustration of my constituents is borne from having followed the rules, but now feeling that they – and their fellow Scots – are not trusted by their own government.
It is a widespread reaction that is reflected in the letter sent to the Scottish government by Edinburgh’s MSPS and the criticism of their SNP colleagues from the council leader and Lord Provost.
Last week Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchen and others from across the city’s hospitality sector launched the Taste Edinburgh campaign to encourage people to support bars, restaurants and hotels when they need it most. At Westminster, voices are daily raised in support of our beleaguered businesses and this week a debate in which I spoke had cross-party unanimity on the need for support for those excluded and rejected for furlough who have fallen through the cracks of both governments’ safety nets.
This is a moment when the people of Edinburgh, indeed the whole country, have given everything that has been asked of them in 2020 to support the fight against Covid-19’s health and economic impact. But it is a relationship which must go both ways. The public has overwhelmingly answered the call from the Scottish government to follow their guidelines. They have a right to expect the same in return. Family weddings, funerals, landmark birthdays, visiting new-born relative and grandchildren, many holidays and simple nights in with friends have all been willingly foregone in pursuit of national and individual well-being. The response from Bute House is inexplicable, except for one critic who suggested that the decision might be, or at least feel, politically motivated. Oh, I do sincerely hope that it is not. But if it is, then it is surely misjudged.
For when people cast their vote in just a few months’ time, this will be a moment that will be at the forefront of people’s minds. And it is a moment that even the most skilled of the First Minister’s PR team will not be able to blame on anybody else.
All that the people in those 11 areas of Edinburgh with no new cases, and the many thousands of others across the city who have happily borne the yoke of Covid-19 wanted this week was for it to be just a fraction less heavy. Or the respect of good explanation. They received neither.
Christine Jardine is the Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West