Pm press conference at 5pm.

[DonLewis]

Will it be a circuit breaker announcement?

All this dithering for 10 days will have cost people their lives, we need to get this virus under control

But haven't their numbers dropped over the past week, whilst in tier 2?

@Aragog

All this dithering for 10 days will have cost people their lives, we need to get this virus under control

But haven't their numbers dropped over the past week, whilst in tier 2?

Yes. Boris never was one for facts or figures.

Burnham stressing the unity of Manchester.

This feels like a 'moment' to me...

One thats significant politically to this whole country.

@ElizabethG81

I hope it's to announce the Republic of Greater Manchester. I only live down the road so should be able to sneak in before they close the border.

Mancs in spirit welcome!

I have such admiration for Andy Burnham. I voted for him as labour leader in years back. His passion is so evident - it's what we need - none of the Westminster politicians that I see speak are like this anymore.

I'm down south but from Manchester so i'm there in spirit also!

The next GM mayoral election will be even more of a coronation than 2017 was.

It’s nothing to do with Manchester. It’s about his hair. And whether it has been complying with Covid restrictions. It may have to move into Tier 3 as a matter of urgency

Opening G Manchester based on calculations of what was needed was 90 million. They dropped to 75, then 65.

But the government wont accept it.

Burnham couldn't just abandon his commitment to workers and support for them.

"we need to carry them [the public] with us not crush their spirit"

He then appeals to parliament to intervene and to force a fair financial settlement for tier 3.

(thats a reference to tory backbenchers as well as labour and other mps there i think).

If Manchester leaves, can the rest of the north come too?
Though I saw a suggestion on Twitter that Liverpool would join Ireland rather than the new country ran by Manchester.

Rousing speech by Andy Burnham

Rousing? Bored of the willy waving tbh 🙄

It's also worth saying for those that think the benefits system is here to pick up the pieces. Housing Benefit is 30% of the AVERAGE rent - and guess what - that average rent isn't what you think the average rent is. Some people's entire universal credit payment is less than their rent.
This is about SO many people.

Are you in G Manchester oak?

@Oaktree55

Rousing? Bored of the willy waving tbh 🙄

Well depends which side you’re on. Will wait to hear what Johnson says. I’m not really on either side.

But he put his heart into it for sure.

Married to a Manc...whole family is behind Andy B. Ridiculous bullying by govt or should I say Cummings

Ego he’s all about ego. So obvious. You can imagine his negotiating style not conducive to a good outcome. Yet he’s got what he wants his moment in the limelight 🙄

@RedToothBrush
@ElizabethG81
The kingdom of Mancunian, how amazing would that be!

meanwhile in other news today, 21,331 new cases and 241 deaths

@TheDrsDocMartens

If Manchester leaves, can the rest of the north come too? Though I saw a suggestion on Twitter that Liverpool would join Ireland rather than the new country ran by Manchester.

I'd gladly see if the Irish will have us too! There must be nearly as many people of Irish descent in GM and Liverpool as there are in Ireland itself, let's vote on it!

If they shut down my local because of Sheffield rates before I get to go tomorrow I’ll be pissed off!

Andy Burnham does not speak for all of the people of Greater Manchester. It is making uncomfortable viewing listening to these men and woman who claim to speak on our behalf. It is time to stop protesting and accept these measures gracefully like the rest of the country. I am a Mancunian and Manchester is special but not special enough to be so arrogant to think that we should be give special treatment. I don't know anyone round here that is unhappy about further lockdown measures. Given a choice of job or granny's life I would pick granny every single time. We need this lock down - and it should have happened last week - all this delay is going to result in lives being lost. This is not a time for party politcs.

Andy Burnham

👏👏👏

Ego he’s all about ego.

He's all about the people of Manchester. Which is his job.

@Oaktree55

Ego he’s all about ego. So obvious. You can imagine his negotiating style not conducive to a good outcome. Yet he’s got what he wants his moment in the limelight 🙄

I'll ask again. Are you in Greater Manchester?