A TOTAL of 9,864 new coronavirus cases was announced for the week to September 2, an increase of 43 per cent on the previous week.

This was the highest level, since test and trace was introduced in May.

One week later, on September 9, the PM was informing the nation, of low level measures to be taken to suppress the virus.

On September 10, Matt Hancock said the measures had not been taken lightly.

Essentially, no effective measures, are being put in place. A rule of six, plus some long overdue enforcement, is all we now have to defeat the virus.

Boris is putting the need of himself and the Government, to be liked, over the health of the nation.

Snappy catchphrases, alongside hopes for a return to normal by Christmas, apparently all we need to hear!

I am a city councillor, yet even at my level, understand the importance of good governance. Outside of the US, Mexico, Brazil and India, we have the highest number of deaths as a country. Government has failed us.

Government had the luxury, of watching the virus spread across China and Europe. Despite this, effective measures were not taken, we all suffered.

Numerous u-turns and key mistakes followed. Education and the untold damage to our future generation, heartbreaking, unforgivable.

Government need to get off the back foot and put in place proper measures.

Measures must prioritise education and health, not keeping late night bars and clubs open, to the detriment of us all.

Test, Trace and Isolate must work, effectively, at capacity.

Instead we have “Moonshot” testing plans, another snappy catchphrase, in the future to be filed with the “world-beating” test and trace app?

Cllr Mel Allcott

Claines ward