Oldham Lib-Dems back party strategy to tackle Covid-19 in the North

Date published: 20 October 2020


The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has signed a letter to Government and the Prime Minister on behalf of his party colleagues. 

The letter, endorsed by Liberal Democrat politicians in local government from local authorities across the North of England, outlines a five-point plan to tackle Covid-19.

Councillor Sykes said: “The Prime Minister has talked about the need for common sense to be displayed by politicians when dealing with the challenge of Covid-19. 

"This letter, and the plan it contains, is full of common sense proposals born out of the experience of Liberal Democrats who live in, work in and represent those communities in Northern England which have suffered most from both Covid-19 and the measures introduced by government to address it. 

"I was very happy to endorse it on behalf of my colleagues.” 

Councillor Sykes added: “London-based politicians who live in a London bubble are out of touch and need to wake up - their policies are clearly not working in the North of England, and some like national Track and Trace have been a costly disaster. 

"At a time when Greater Manchester has been threatened with the prospect of joining Lancashire and Merseyside in being moved into the Tier 3, high-risk category of special measures, it is time for government to take on board these sensible suggestions. 

"They will save lives, they will save livelihoods and they will save businesses.”


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