Virus U-turn again
Locals slam latest corona U-turn » PM told he’s ‘governing in hindsight’
ANGRY locals in a Covid-19 hotspot have blasted U-turns on lockdown rules that have left them feeling “like a yo-yo”.
From yesterday, a million people in north-west England were due to be allowed to visit friends and family for the first time in a month.
But after a few hours of freedom, 525,000 in Bolton and Trafford were told to shut their doors again.
It came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson was accused of “governing in hindsight” following more than a dozen U-turns on coronavirus policy as he faced MPs for the first time since July.
In Bolton, Greater Manchester, Dave Young, 65, said: “Talk about feeling like a yo-yo. None of us know whether we’re coming or going with this Government. One minute we’re in lockdown. Then we’re out. Then we’re back in again. It’s disgusting to keep messing with people’s lives.”
Mr Young and wife Carolyn, 60, began their day out of lockdown – then at lunchtime, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said restrictions would be reimposed. He added: “It’s a joke, isn’t it? You just can’t trust this Government one minute to the next.”
Bolton is home to 285,000 and has the joint highest infection rate in England at 56.4 cases per 100,000 – five times the average. Along with Trafford, it was set to allow members of different households to meet indoors and businesses to give close contact services.
But Greater Manchester’s metro mayor, Andy Burnham, warned it was too soon to lift restrictions.
Then the Government appeared to have a change of heart on easing, saying the decision followed “a significant change in the level of infection rates over the
last few days”. Mr Burnham said it was “chaos”, adding: “It’s not working, it’s confusing people, causing anger and resentment. It’s local councils that need to be in the driving seat.”
The restrictions have been in place in Greater Manchester since July 30.
Bolton and Trafford were to join Stockport, Burnley, Hyndburn and parts of Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees in the easing. In Altrincham, a market town in Trafford, Rose Penha, 39, said: “It’s all ridiculous. I’ve lost track of where I’m supposed to be and who I’m seeing. Someone needs to get a grip.”
Karoline Coleti, 29, said: “Andy Burnham has been saying very clearly we should have stayed in lockdown. So why has the Government taken us out yesterday and put us back in today? Heads should roll.” Mr Hancock had said in his statement just after midday: “We have been clear we will take swift action where needed.”
But there was more confusion as the Government claimed restrictions were only due to lift at midday anyway – while local politicians had been told the change kicked in at midnight.
Shadow Health Minister Justin Madders said: “The Government’s incompetence is damaging public confidence and holding Britain back.”
In the Commons, Labour leader Keir Starmer accused the PM of being “tin-eared” in his crisis response.
And he claimed Tory MPs have “run out of patience” after attacks on the PM from backbenchers in which one described events as a “megadisaster from one day to the next”.
Mr Johnson dubbed him “Captain Hindsight” after the exam results fiasco, saying he was “opposing a policy he supported two weeks ago”.
But Mr Starmer hit back: “He’s governing in hindsight, that’s why he’s making so many mistakes.”
PARLIAMENT has only been back two days and the Government has already had to perform yet another U-turn.
This time it was on the decision to lift the lockdown restrictions in Trafford and Bolton.
Local leaders had begged ministers to keep the measures because of a spike in infections. This call was rejected only for Health Secretary Matt Hancock to change his mind.
This incompetence is unforgivable when we are talking about lives. Government shillyshallying is causing anger and undermining confidence in its core public health messages.
If ministers are incapable of making the right decisions they should hand the responsibility to those who can.