Burnham won't back down on tier 3 unless there is more money on offer, and then he would reconsider?
They are hardly the actions of a person who is putting the health of Manchester first, either!
Added to the fact he has already said he would actually support another national lockdown, he's making himself look even more stupid than Boris.
The Manchester public would be impacted just the same.
He's making it a party issue and sending the same confusing messages.
The truth is there is no money left, we threw it in an obvious blind panic the first time around, the wider economy is already tanked.
The money now on offer is essentially the best it's gonna get, in a bid to just kick the can down the road a little while longer and help the NHS save as many lives as possible before hopefully a vaccine is rolled out.
Genuine question. How do you expect those people on close to minimum wage already to survive on 67% of their wages? How do you expect them to pay their rent? How do you expect these businesses to survive? I totally understand the health argument, of course I do, but it's not exactly an unreasonable point is it? There's no right or wrong stance here. Either one ruins lives.
67% is absolutely awful for those in low income jobs. They were already on the breadline most likely at 100% of their wage. This tier 3 will throw tens of thousands of people, if not more, into financial ruin. That will then destroy lives too. He has every right to try and fight for 80%. Some people might have a chance of salvaging their lives then before inevitable ruin.
I'm amazed at how many are just ignoring this side of the argument as if its not an issue at all.
EDIT - his argument for a national lockdown is that everyone would then be supported equally and fairly. It's a totally fair point. I just can't get how many are willing to accept that the government can tell businesses 'hey - you're not allowed to trade or exist now for a bit' and that the government can then not fully compensate them for it. As if its somehow the fault of the businesses and they have to pick up the tab. It's callous as fuck. Most of these businesses have spent thousands already trying to make their work places covid safe. What can they do? If the government tells them they can't operate anymore, they should support them fully. It really is that simple.