Why we support a circuit breaker lockdown by Lib Dems in Harrogate

Why I oppose a circuit breaker lockdown by Harrogate MP Andrew Jones

But would a 'circuit breaker' to try and control the spread of COVID-19 as figures continue to rise, even in parts of North Yorkshire, be a good idea?

Would a two-week full national lockdown bring the virus back under control or would it be a catastrophe for the economy and already struggling businesses?

The Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems told the Harrogate Advertiser they supported a 'circuit breaker' - though they also say they want local authorities to have a much greater input into the entire Covid strategy rather than everything being nationally directed by the Government.

And they are also calling for a greater and wider level of economic support to help businesses and individuals.

Judith Rogerson, Harrogate & Knaresborough Lib Dems' parliamentary spokesperson, said: "No one wants to have to go into another lockdown - we all know how tough it is on our work and family lives.

"But we are now at the stage where this looks like the right way to get control of the virus. It seems that scientists advising the Government have been saying this for several weeks.

"If it does happen, ministers must use it as a chance to make sure Track & Trace actually works.

"The Lib Dems want to see the system being run by local authorities rather than by central Government.

"The huge sacrifices we all made during the last lockdown were squandered by the Government's failure to get on top of Track & Trace. That can't be allowed to happen again."

Judith Rogerson told the Harrogate Advertiser she had been talking to B&B owners in Harrogate who said they were "dreading the future."

But, she added, the most sensible course of action was to break down virus rates at the same time as increasing the level of economic support from the Government.

Judith Rogerson said: "As things stand, even under Tier 1 restrictions many of those who are working hard in the hospitality industry are struggling because of restrictions like the 10pm curfew.

"This week I've been in touch with local B&B owners who are dreading the future as they have no bookings in the diary.

"The benefit of a circuit breaker should be to allow us to get things back to normal more quickly but it's crucial that affected businesses get proper support from the Government. "Whether we have another lockdown or not, Lib Dems from across the north are calling for greater support for individuals, businesses and communities who are struggling so hard to cope with the current restrictions."

Her views were echoed by Coun Pat Marsh, Lib Dems opposition leader at Harrogate Borough Council, who condemned the "chaotic system" of handling the virus currently put in place by the Government.

Coun Marsh said: "Nationally the Lib Dems have been calling for a short 'circuit breaker' but it has to be backed up by financial support from Government if it is going to work.

"There is an opportunity next week to introduce this with half term which could be extended into two weeks, as they have done in Northern Ireland and Wales.

"At the same time the Government's test, trace and isolate system must be improved, despite them spending so far over £12 billion of our money and it is utterly failing to help to get a grip on this second wave therefore leaving us with few other options.

"Until the Prime Minister fixes this deplorable situation people will continue to face lockdown as a result of his incompetence.

"Our area has made enormous sacrifices to try and contain the pandemic, and people will be rightly appalled to read that the Government have, once again, ignored the best scientific advice from SAGE.

"Instead we have a chaotic system in place with nobody knowing what they can or cannot do, or where they can or cannot go, which cannot be policed properly therefore the virus could just continue to spread.

"Obviously I have huge concerns that this will impact on the economy of the Harrogate District but moving up and down a Tier can be equally if not more devastating.

"We need to make a national effort with financial support from Government.

"The best way to do this is to extend the furlough scheme to Spring 2021, before it ends in just under a couple of weeks time, and providing support to the three million people who have been excluded from receiving any financial support since the very beginning of the crisis.

"If we are to really serious about trying to stop the spread of the virus, the Nation needs to come together with people and the Government playing their their part in trying to defeat Covid-19."

What the Labour Party says

The debate over the merits of a 'circuit breaker' in England began in the Commons last week when Labour leader Keir Starmer called for a full lockdown for two or three weeks, as did shadow education secretary Kate Green, saying the measure would “reverse the spread” of the virus.

Labour have argued that a circuit-breaker should be introduced in order to give the Government time to resolve issues and improve the test and trace program as well as other measures for reducing the spread of the virus.

What is happening in the rest of the UK

Monday, saw the Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, announce a two-week national “firebreak” lockdown from this Friday, October 23 until Monday, November 9, with people told to stay at home and pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops forced to close.

Scotland had already been utilising a circuit breaker as a tactic in the Covid battle.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was the first to announce a circuit breaker which she introduced north of the border on October 10, forcing pubs and restaurants in the country’s central belt to close and adding further restrictions for the whole country for just over two weeks.

A similar policy was also introduced in Northern Ireland, where pubs and restaurants will be shut for four weeks from last Friday.

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