Advertisement

The Reader: Mayor must back the capital over curfew rules

PA
PA

I wholly concur with your support of a removal of the 10pm curfew currently in force against licensed premises.

Covid cross-infection is likely to continue to increase when the patrons of such businesses are expelled onto the street at the same time and a spike in public transport use may also lead to passengers being unable to travel in a socially distanced fashion.

But it should not be forgotten that the Mayor has performed yet another political U-turn given his prior support of harsher lockdown measures, yet now appears to favour the abolition of the curfew.

Given Sadiq Khan has already had his term of office extended by a year due to the pandemic, he should wholeheartedly support London’s night and daytime economy. The electorate is likely to be unforgiving next year should he be seen to preside over a capital city turned into a ghost town.
Keeley-Jasmine Cavendish

Editor's reply

Dear Keeley-Jasmine

It seems clear now that the 10pm curfew policy was misguided, increasing risk of transmission while also impacting the already struggling hospitality sector.

Now London has entered Tier 2 there is even more reason for it to be abandoned for restaurants to have any possibility of surviving.

We welcome Sadiq Khan’s call for an end to the curfew. It seems he has taken a leaf out of Andy Burnham’s book and perhaps this is a sign of a welcome trend of regional mayors challenging the Government on behalf of the citizens they represent.
Emma Loffhagen, Comment Writer

Pope’s same-sex blessing is good

Pope Francis’s blessing of same-sex civil unions is a great step forward to equality for everyone to be happy in their relationships.

The conservative opponents within the Catholic Church are out of touch with reality in the 21st century.
Dominic Shelmerdine