Pm press conference at 5pm.

[DonLewis]

Will it be a circuit breaker announcement?

@PetitFours

I think they're postponing Christmas until April, and combining it with Easter to create Chreaster. Or Eastmas.

I cant decide whether that would be awesome or not 🤔

@FourTeaFallOut

Maybe they will explain how they created the role of a metro mayor to head off the momentum for devolution and then treated them with utter contempt when they actually did their job and defended the well being of the population they are charged to represent? Or will he just remind Manchester to sing happy birthday when they wash their hands?

At least he knows where Manchester is, I guess....

We've already managed to demolish a 2 boxes of "strange flavour, so they don't count" mince pies and some mini-stollen. I am usually ranting if they are in the shops before Halloween!

Same. I usually hold out until December 1st but I'm so ready to start the Christmas eating this year.

I think he will announce that the clocks aren't going back. Just to be a bit random (and London-centric).

@AgnesNaismith

I heard a new phrase being bandied around earlier - something like ‘firebreak’

It's called firebreak in Wales because Mark Drakeford likes to give the impression that he's doing his own thing.

News just reported that T3 talks between Govt & GM have concluded without an agreement, so I presume this will be the Govt imposing it on GM.

Which I think is right, these 'talks' shouldn't have even taken place. The Govt is elected to take control, not to negotiate with individual mayors/councils to get 'better deals'. Just no.

I agree they should be listened to re what the best way to get compliance is in their area etc, but not for the actual restrictions or financial packages.

That way madness lies.

The 'Tiers' is already meaningless when different things have happened in the different T3 areas.

T3 should be exactly the same wherever you are. There are plenty of other numbers to use if they want to further tighten things up.

Maybe Boris could call it a "Super-duper-Boris-world-beating-break" then...

@TheAdventuresoftheWishingChair

I think they have to be very careful about vaccine announcements. It must be something that they will need to get absolutely right.

Why on earth would they break the habit of complete steaming ineptitude now?!

Its Johnson announcing he's No Dealing with Manchester.

Probably shouldn’t but this made me laugh. Boris is rapidly running out of playmates.

It's called firebreak in Wales because Mark Drakeford likes to give the impression that he's doing his own thing.

He probably thinks it fits with the Welsh dragony fire-breathing vibe.

Talks seem to have a habit of failing where Johnson is involved.

Maybe he'll announce he'll make all the MPs, on all sides of the House, take a wage cut to 2/3s their salary in solidarity with Manchester (and every other part of the country that goes into tier 3)...no? I didn't think so....

So Andy Burnham won't bend the knee and Boris is going to set his dragons on him (or shag him incestuously).

Which I think is right, these 'talks' shouldn't have even taken place. The Govt is elected to take control, not to negotiate with individual mayors/councils to get 'better deals'. Just no.

1. Local leaders are elected to over see certain things - like healthcare and public health
2. Local policing is done by the consent of the local population. The local population is represented by local leaders. To whom the police are directly accountable. Not Westminster. And there is a history of why this is the case in the UK.

These things remain important and relevant.

Just because central government doesn't like it, it doesn't mean they don't still hold true. Imposing things directly is problematic to say the least in terms of both devolved power, political representation and policing.

'Firebreak' is fine in Wales because they have dragons.

When do we start talking about 'Mad King Boris'?

There will be an announcement of a referendum to make Manchester an independent country.

It'll be Boris telling us in Greater Manchester that we're to go into Tier 3.

Also to say he really doesn't want a circuit breaker. Next week he'll announce a "circuit breaker" anyway!

I have family down South and in Wales. Guess I'll be seeing them some time next year!

@FourTeaFallOut

No, it'll be to bad mouth Andy Burnham and to demand Greater Manchester fall on its sword and comply with restrictions that will put them at great hardship to protect all the I'm-alright-Jackers. So, that'll go well.

Could be.

I read earlier that Sadiq Khan is going to insist that the London 10pm curfew be lifted. How ridiculous can you get, honestly. It is not at all unreasonable for places to close at 10pm in the current situation.

I like both of these mayors but I think they are trying to court popularity unnecessarily, as well as whipping up protest.

They would not be so eager if they or someone close to them caught the virus and was seriously ill.

I also think the 5pm update will concern the circuit breaker.

Hey, I'm not hyperventilating. I was queryi g the circuit breaker idea as I am planning some day trips for half term (outdoors ones!) and one of the places requires a booking. As it popped up that there would be an press conference and I couldn't see that a deal had been done/not done with Manchester I thought I'd ask here!

But I won't be booking until he's announced, just in case.

At this point, I don't care either way, what will be, will be and none of it is in my control.

I honestly don't think there will be a circuit breaker.

@MJMG2015

The problem is what is the definition of Tier 3? Where I live 216 per 100000 cases, Tier 3. Nearby Leeds over 356 per 100000 Tier 2. What help are Tier 3 getting etc? When will we be able to come out of tier 3? Etc etc etc

@hawaypet not everyone who is on two thirds of minimum wage can claim benefits so it’s not true to perpetuate that myth that they will get over 90% of their pay.

Hancock making a ministerial statement at 7pm.