Boris Johnson defends local lockdown strategy amid confusion over new rules for north-east England

Prime Minister accuses Labour of trying to "snipe from the sidelines" and "undermine" the government's response to the Covid-19 crisis
Mr Johnson said 'strong, local action' is required when Covid-19 rates increase
Sky News
David Child30 September 2020

Boris Johnson has defended the Government's local lockdown strategy for curbing the spread of coronavirus, insisting that the public "understand and overwhelmingly do follow the rules" set out by ministers.

Speaking in the House of Commons during Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Mr Johnson said he did not want to impose restrictions but “strong, local action” is required when virus rates increase.

His comments came after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer questioned the Prime Minister's “whack-a-mole strategy” and warned many communities feel as if things are “getting worse, not better”.

Sir Keir asked why only one area of England has ever come out of local lockdown – with more than 16 million people living under local restrictions.

He said: “In recent months, 48 areas in England have gone into local restrictions, but only one has ever come out and stayed out – that is Luton.

“Why does the Prime Minister think that is?”

Mr Johnson replied: “The reason, I think, for the success of Luton is that the local people pulled together to suppress the virus, to follow the guidance, and that is the way forward for the entire country.

“That is what we did before in March and April, and I have no doubt that that is what we’re going to do again.”

Keir Starmer challenges Boris Johnson on Covid-19 rule confusion

Sir Keir asked how members of the public are supposed to understand the rules when Mr Johnson does not understand them himself, referencing the latter's recent public slip-up concerning new lockdown measures in north east England.

From today, people in Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham are banned from mixing with others from outside their household or bubble in indoor settings, including pubs and restaurants, as cases continue to soar in the region.

The Labour leader said: “One of the major problems, as we’ve seen in the last 24 hours, is widespread confusion about the local restrictions and I don’t just mean the Prime Minister not knowing his own rules – having sat opposite the Prime Minister at PMQs every week that didn’t come as a surprise to me.

“Let me quote to him the Conservative council leader in Bolton, a Conservative leader.

“He said this about the Government’s handling of restrictions – ‘it’s breeding resentment, it’s become too complex, too complicated, people feel very let down and very frustrated and very forgotten’.

“If the Prime Minister doesn’t understand the rules and his own council leaders are complaining about mixed messages, how does the Prime Minister expect the rest of the country to understand and follow the rules?”

Mr Johnson responded: “Actually, I think that the people of this country do understand and overwhelmingly do follow the rules, and that I may say is in spite of the efforts of (Sir Keir) continually to try to snipe from the sidelines, to undermine what we are trying to do.

"And he mentions the restrictions in the North East, and I cleared that matter up as fast as I could.”

Boris Johnson apologises for lack of clarity over North East coronavirus restrictions

The Prime Minister was forced to apologise on Tuesday after stumbling over an explanation of the ban on households mixing, saying that he “misspoke” when replying to questions asking whether the new regulations would apply in settings such as beer gardens.

In response to questions, Mr Johnson had said on Tuesday: “In the north east and other areas where extra-tight measures have been brought in, you should follow the guidance of local authorities but it is six in a home, six in hospitality but, as I understand it, not six outside.”

But the Prime Minister later tweeted: “Apologies, I misspoke today. In the north east, new rules mean you cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs, restaurants and your home."

"You should also avoid socialising with other households outside," he added.