Mayor blasts government for ‘imposing’ lockdown lift
GREATER Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has hit out at the Government over the decision to lift Trafford out of local lockdown restrictions against the wishes of the borough council.
Trafford joins Stockport and Bolton in being released from stricter measures that have been in place in Greater Manchester for the past month.
From Wednesday, people will be able to meet with other households indoors and in their gardens once more, while maintaining social distancing.
Trafford council leader Andrew Western said that while local government wanted to
‘see restrictions lifted as soon possible, guided by data and when it is safe to do so,’ the consensus was that next week was too early.
The government, he said, ignored that view.
Local leaders said that with schools going back next week, it is a ‘delicate time’ to ease restrictions.
Coun Western accused the government of ‘making a mockery of local decision making,’ adding that two of the three MPs in Trafford were against easing restrictions.
The other MP, Sir Graham Brady, who represents Altrincham and Sale West ward and is the influential chairman of the national Conservative Party’s 1922 committee, was in favour of lifting measures across the borough. There was further controversy on Friday afternoon when it emerged the latest figures show Trafford’s infection rate has increased.
Reacting to the row, Mayor of
Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said more consultation with local authorities is needed.
He told BBC Breakfast yesterday: “I think we will better negotiate what lies ahead of us in the autumn and winter if Government listens to local leaders - they know their communities.
“It wasn’t just in Greater Manchester where they overruled us. In Bradford, basically communities were split there - some are still under restrictions, some not.
“You then have the situation where some people on one half of the street are under restrictions and others not.
“My main message to the Government is you must not impose these things from London when you are going to affect communities in this way, it must be by negotiation and agreement.
“And that needs to be a core principle that we agree on before we go any further into the rest of what will be a very difficult year.”
Mr Burnham said: “Imposition of decisions like this without agreement or negotiation is absolutely the wrong way to go.
“With the Health Secretary warning today of extensive lockdowns throughout the rest of this year, I think communities everywhere should be worried.
“This has to be partnership between national and local government.”