The ill-thought out relaxation of lockdown; the Dominic Cummings debacle; and poorly considered last-minute announcements have contributed to the increase in the ‘R’ rate both in my neck of the woods and in the South West.

The most worrying thing now is that we are seeing the Government engaging in the “blame game”. The “it’s not us guv” attitude seems to be slipping into their announcements. How does that help?

Look also at Track and Trace, and the role of councils in overseeing “local lockdowns”, for example.

We must drop everything to put together local plans, but nothing from Government about the additional powers we need to attempt to manage this situation.

All this as the sector pleads with Government to share important data with Directors of Public Health, so councils can do the best for our communities.

I welcome the Government’s U-turn on schools wider opening for more pupils. However, if Ministers had just talked and listened all this real stress on school staff, parents, governors and children could have been avoided.

As I write, I predict Government will revise social distancing from the current 2m to something like 1m. What has changed? They give all the appearance of making it up as they go along and playing Russian Roulette with those vulnerable to the virus. What happened to following the science!

We need less uncertainty and more clear leadership (like local government is providing). I live in hope, but I am not holding my breath!

Best wishes and stay safe.

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE Leader, LGA Liberal Democrat Group

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