Mixed reactions by Midland leaders to new Covid rules for Christmas

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced today that the rules on allowing up to three households to mix in the region over five days has been cut to just one.

He also announced that from Sunday areas in the South East currently in Tier 3 will be moved into a new Tier 4 – effectively returning to the lockdown rules of November.

It comes after scientists said that a new coronavirus variant is spreading more rapidly.

The rest of England will see the Christmas “bubble” policy – allowing up to three households to meet up over the holiday period – severely curtailed, applying on Christmas Day only.

Council leaders and MPs across the region have spoken out about the changes.

• See more coronavirus news here

Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White said he felt the Prime Minister had been left with little choice and had been forced to react to the latest scientific advice.

He said: "I think it's the only thing he could do and it was going to be difficult for him whatever decision he made, but it's appropriate given the advice he's received.

"I think it's very disappointing that the rules have changed, but I would ask people to please abide by the rules to stop the spread of the virus.

"There is a vaccine out there and I hope that, in the not too distant future, we'll be able to return to something that resembles normality."

Responsibility

Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant said it was the responsibility of everyone to keep safe during this time.

He said: "I recognise the new restrictions are very depressing. However, it is our duty to ensure the safety, not only of ourselves, but also our friends and relatives.

"Covid is a completely unpredictable enemy of the people and the government can only react as and when changes occur."

Other leaders were more critical of the Government's response, with Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden saying the Prime Minister had been too focussed on headlines.

He said: "The Prime Minister has been far too focussed on headlines about 'cancelling Christmas' in recent weeks, rather than getting the public health response right.

"The factors that led to this have not all happened in the past few days despite the Prime Minister attacking the very measures he announced at PMQs a few days ago.

"It has been clear for some time that infections were rising and a five day relaxation of the rules would result in a further spike.

"Announcing this at this late stage once again conveys a lack of grip and a government catching up with events, rather than being ahead of the curve."

John Spellar, MP for Warley, echoed Mr McFadden's statement, accusing the government of staggering from crisis to crisis.

He said: "The trouble is the government have been so clueless, it's hard to know whether they have a sound basis or they are just panicking again.

"They are sending out so many mixed messages and should have given us a much clearer message of what to do."

Necessary

The deputy leader of Sandwell Council, Maria Crompton, said she felt the Prime Minister had relaxed the rules too early, but felt the new restrictions were necessary.

She said: "In order to protect my 93-year-old mother, I wasn't planning to see my family anyway as I felt this was the right thing to do.

"The message that I've been putting out is, yes, you can do this and the government has said you can do this, but you need to protect your loved ones.

"It's all about being sensible as the more time you spend with people, the more chance you have of bringing Covid home for Christmas."

The leader of Walsall Council, Mike Bird, said he had been saying for a long time that people hadn't been listening to the messages about being safe.

He said: "Unfortunately, you have to react to the situation at hand at the time and if you look around the country, numbers are rising again.

"I would encourage people to just follow the guidance and stay home as just because you can, doesn't mean you have to."

Dudley North MP Marco Longhi said he was incredibly disappointed but understood the rationale for the decision.

He said: "Personally, I'm heartbroken as my own personal plans have been thrown up in the air, but we can't ignore the numbers.

"More and more people are going into hospital and people are still dying, so we need to have the resolve and resilience to go through this."

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said the force was ready for the potentially large amount of travellers.

He said: "West Midlands Police stands ready to play its part.

"However, I am disappointed that once again we have seen a last minute change of heart by the government.

"It has been clear for some time that they needed to change course, so we need decisive leadership, not dither and delay."

'Disappointed'

Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz also said she was disappointed about the announcement, saying the Labour Party had been asking the government to look at what could be done.

She said: "We've been calling on the government to do something in light of the evidence of this new strain, so it's really disappointing to see families everywhere have to change their plans.

"I would ask people to please respect the guidelines as if they don't, they are putting everybody at risk."

Suzanne Webb, MP for Stourbridge, added: "The situation with the new strain of the virus in London and parts of the south east makes it clear to me how careful we must be in Stourbridge over the Christmas period.

"We are a small country and it cannot be long before this more infectious strain takes hold in other parts of it. So, let’s keep social distancing, washing hands and limiting contact.

"I think it is right the Christmas restrictions are now limited to three households just for Christmas Day. But, again, I ask everyone to think carefully whether any household in Stourbridge should be meeting with another at all on 25th December.

"This is going to be a very tough winter. Every day I am thankful we have a vaccine and that thousands of vulnerable people and healthcare workers are receiving it across the country and here in the West Midlands.

"There is hope for the future but the mission right now must be to make sure the NHS is not overwhelmed and that lives are saved while the vaccine rollout continues."

The Mayor of Wolverhampton Claire Darke also said the messages had been confusing, but said a short term hit was worth a long term benefit.

She said: "It will be worth it to bring infection rates down and keep them down so that the health service can function freely.

"We're all getting good at Zoom and we can phone, so we can do a lot to help people not to feel lonely at Christmas and do what we have to to keep Wolverhampton safe."