Portsmouth politicians dismayed by government's 'dithering' on second coronavirus lockdown

Earlier today, prime minister Boris Johnson announced that England will be going into a month long nationwide lockdown, starting on November 2.

Schools and colleges will remain open, but all non-essential retail and hospitality will close.

The rate of infection has risen dramatically in Portsmouth since the end of summer, from 2.8 cases per 100,000 on August 16 to 193.6 on October 26 – an increase of more than 6,800 per cent.

But top politicians in Portsmouth argue that a national lockdown should have come much sooner.

Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, has been campaigning for a ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown for the past few weeks.

He said: ‘My worry is that this is too little, too late.

‘Yet again the government has dithered and delayed, meaning more people have suffered as a result.

‘They are clearly far too indecisive – we should have done this weeks ago because it would have significantly reduced the problems we have now.’

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Labour MP for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, has also been critical of the announcement.

He said: ‘The government has been too slow to act the whole way through this crisis whether on health or on jobs, and it’s the British people that are suffering.

‘Now we will have a much harder lockdown again, ministers must use this time to fix testing and tracing and set out a proper plan so government doesn’t keep repeating the same mistakes again.

‘I know many in our city will feel miserable about this latest announcement by the prime minister and it’s consequences for their family, friends and community. It’s the same story up and down the country.

‘By working together here in Portsmouth we can, and we will, get through this, push down infections, and save lives.’

But leader of Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Sean Woodward, says people flouting the rules has left the government with very few options.

He said: ‘Undoubtedly one reason we are in this situation is because some people have spread the virus by not observing the rules when they have been with known cases of Covid-19 and not isolated.

‘As far as the council is concerned we will need to await the details on Monday, but I anticipate the closure of the Civic Offices with most staff working from home and the closure of our leisure centres.

‘I am hoping we can at least lay wreaths on Remembrance Sunday but need to clarify that.’

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage added: ‘The prime minister and scientists have made a clear argument for enhanced restrictions.

‘Cases are rising at a worrying rate in our local area and we need to protect our loved ones and our NHS.

‘We are all sick of this virus but only by following the rules in November can we hope to restore a bit of normality in time for Christmas.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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