Strayside Sunday: Conservative MPs paying a high price for loyalty

Strayside Sunday is our weekly political opinion column. It is written by Paul Baverstock, former Director of Communications for the Conservative Party. 

A Russian, an Englishman and an American.  No, not the first line of a bad joke but rather friends with whom I have discussed our current predicaments during the last 7 days.

The Russian reminded me of a saying of which her family in the Urals are fond.  “The cow that moo’s loudest”, they say, “bares no milk.” This in the midst of a discussion about the merits of political leadership here at home and across the pond.  Boris Johnson and Donald Trump being the most vocal bovines in their respective cow stalls.

Boris has always had a lot to say, and of course he says it with an almost unmatched elan and a vocabulary matched only in its breadth by its intermittent obscurity.  For some though, Boris is no more than a highbinder, an empleomaniac, a fustilarian snollygoster, in short, a bit of cockalorum.  Or at least that’s how we talk about him, round our way.  The thing is, what we actually need now is sensible political leadership and prosaic policy.  Less show; more go.  A steady hand on the tiller from which we can all draw confidence and succour.

And confidence, it seems, is a commodity in short supply in the parliamentary Conservative Party at the moment.  For months now the government has been unable to get out ahead of the exigencies created by Covid-19.  It has lurched from one panic policy announcement to the next, led by the science, which is itself modelling the unknowable.  For Conservative MP’s not in government, they must follow the party whip into the voting lobbies and are then left to explain their flip-floppery to angry, frustrated and frightened constituents.  Collective responsibility breaks down when contradictory changes of direction happen too often and expose those bound by it to the charge of hypocrisy.

So for once I find myself in sympathy with Harrogate MP Andrew Jones, who this week voted with the government to support a national lockdown, having declared at the end of October, again in support of the government, that local measures were now needed and that a national lockdown would be “wrong.”  The discomfort Mr. Jones may feel at his public change of mind is the price he pays for his loyalty to party, an unfashionable virtue in modern politics, especially in a tribe noted, at the best of times, for behaving like ‘ferrets in a sack’.

Is a second national lockdown actually the right thing to do?  Steve Russell, the Chief Executive of Harrogate Hospital believes so.  In an interview in these pages this week Mr Russell pointed out that the existing (local tiered) lockdowns were not “slowing the pressure enough” under which Covid-19 infections are placing our hospitals.  Indeed, the one consistent part of government policy and communication throughout the crisis has been its protection of the NHS and its bed capacity.  NHS staff face the coming months with real anxiety, aware as they are of the dangers of what policy makers call “winter pressures.”  The only way for us to help is to do our bit and comply with the inconveniences of lockdown.

Is there any other way?  Perhaps, but it would involve targeting specific groups – the clinically vulnerable and those over the age of 65 – and imposing differential measures upon them.  There is precedent.  During the Second World War 1.5m children were separated from their families and evacuated, for their safety and the national good, from our major cities.  An Englishman I know, a highly successful septuagenarian, undeniably an establishment figure, is of the opinion that he and his peers should be locked down to enable the rest of the economy to function freely and give young people a better chance of getting employment. Is that feasible? I’d be interested to know what you think.

Notwithstanding the current maelstrom at home, I thank my lucky stars and stripes that I live in Britain, rather than the United States.   This week I have been exchanging transatlantic emails with my distraught American university roommate, a Delaware native and lifelong follower and booster of Sleepy Joe.  John was four years old when Mr. Biden was first elected to the Senate from his home state, so he grew up watching him closely, voting for him early and often and, like Joe, he believes passionately in consensus, moderation, dialogue and tolerance.

As legal firearms and ammunition flew off the shelves during the last weeks of the US election campaign, and the sitting President, through force of personality from the bully pulpit was advocating the uniquely American proclivity for litigation to undo the same democratic process through which he was elected four short years ago, my friend and I communed in angst.  We worry that the world is becoming ungovernable, that our challenges are so acute and our divisions are so deep rooted that reason and compromise are falling out of reach, and that we are seeing a world in which to say something untrue frequently enough and with sufficient gusto will transform the lie to factual truth.

For my part I believe now is the time to double down on the collectivist spirit and to cherish community. Division needs no excuse to take root in difference, from whichever land you hail. We really are all in this together and that is never more true on this day, above all others, when we remember the fallen and their act of sacrifice for all of us.

That’s my Strayside Sunday.

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Pateley Bridge hamper competition supports mayor’s appeal

With a second lockdown now affecting Pateley Bridge High Street, Pat and Andrew Waite hope to bring some festive cheer.

The couple, who have run The Sandwich Box takeaway for 10 years, are currently collecting prizes for three hampers that can be won in a Christmas competition.

Local shops and and other businesses have responded enthusiastically by donating items for the hampers.

Numbered squares on a competition board, costing £5 apiece, will be on sale from 16 November and proceeds will help boost the Mayor’s annual appeal.

Mr Waite, said:

“It has been a strange old year for Pateley Bridge, starting with Storm Dennis and floods, followed by COVID-19.”

The coronavirus crisis, which has brought two lockdowns, has put paid next month’s late-night shopping event in the town and Mrs Waite, added:

“We thought that the hamper competition would be a way for Pateley Bridge to say a big ‘thank you’ to the customers who have supported the town through all the difficulties.”

Photograph of Pateley Bridge High Street

Shops and other businesses in Pateley Bridge are supporting the Christmas hamper competition

All shops and other businesses that donate prizes will have their name listed against the item they have given.

The list will be on display in The Sandwich Box, in Back High Street, where entrants in the competition can also select a square or squares.

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Because the business is a takeaway, it will remain open throughout the current lockdown.

The Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Councillor Mike Holt, who has donated a bottle of champagne for the competition, told the Stray Ferret:

“Pat and Andrew exemplify the community spirit that has helped us to tackle everything that has been thrown at the town this year.

“Naturally, we all hope that 2021 will be a better year for local shops, other businesses and residents and the money raised will fund activities that support our community.”

Following a successful Christmas lights appeal, supported by the town’s traders and residents, Pateley Bridge High Street will have enhanced Christmas decorations this year.

A collective effort saw the town council work alongside retailers and other business owners,  Nidderdale Chamber of Trade and the local community to raise the funds for extension of the lights.

Harrogate Borough Council will provide two large Christmas trees.

 

 

WATCH: Harrogate before and on first day of lockdown

With near empty streets today, Harrogate is clearly a town in lockdown.

Shops selling goods deemed non-essential are closed for the next month so there are fewer reasons to visit.

Some people are still walking and driving around town but there has a dramatic shift over the last 24 hours.

We filmed at the same spots in the town centre at about 3pm yesterday and today to see what had changed.

Harrogate at the same time on Wednesday and Thursday. The day before and first day of lockdown.

Knaresborough retailers close up and hope they survive to Christmas

Lockdown today has left shop owners and stallholders in Knaresborough fearful for the future of their businesses.

Shop owners and a market stallholder agree that it couldn’t have come at a worse time. November and December are their busiest months.

Many are choosing to go online, as they did during the first lockdown, in an attempt to make some of the money they would if they were to stay open.

Michael Baker-Kilburn, co owner of Little Darlings Gifts and Toys on Knaresborough high street, said:

“It’s the busiest time of the year for a toy shop so it’s really disappointing. We have so much stock coming next week, we’ve spent thousands on it. I need to think of our financial stability and I’m having to dip into our savings. I understand why we have to shut but who’s looking after us? This is when I take 50% of my cash for the whole year and I have nothing, who’s going to pay my bills and my rent?”

Similarly, Sonya Johnson who runs a ladies accessories stall on Knaresborough and Ripon markets said:

“It’s not good obviously because it’s the busiest time of the year. We just need to grin and bear it and hope we can reopen for December. It’s come at the worse time ever as November and December are always really busy. We normally have the Christmas trade to tide us over through January and February but if we come back then it could be difficult.”

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Independent businesses owner, Martin Sturdy of Zigzag in Knaresborough , said business had only just recovered from the first lockdown and another one was likely to bring a new set worries.

He said:

“This couldn’t have come at a worse time. I just hope we can reopen soon and we can recover from it when we do. I think people will continue to support us so we will be fine. We do need to be able to open beginning of December because if we miss that run up to December it’s going to be a killer. We have all the stock and we need to make money from it.”

The lockdown is expected to end on December, 2 but business owners suspect, like the previous lockdown, the reopening of different industries will be staggered.

Harrogate district set to enter second national lockdown

The Harrogate district will enter lockdown for the second time this year at midnight tonight.

Restaurants, bars, non-essential shops and hotels will close, dealing a huge blow to the hospitality sector, which is a big part of the local economy. When they will re-open is unclear.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced another shutdown to combat rising infection levels and ease pressure on the NHS.

The move has prompted widespread anxiety.

Georgia Eckert, of Imagines Things Bookshop in Harrogate, said the lockdown comes “at the worst possible time” for retail.

Georgia Eckert, of Imagined Things Bookshop in Westminster Arcade, Harrogate.

Her store and other non-essential retailers will have to close with just eight-weeks to go until Christmas.

Meanwhile, despite the furlough scheme being extended until December, the self-employed in the district also have concerns.

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Mr Johnson has insisted stricter measures are necessary.

In the Harrogate district, the weekly covid infection rate stands at 252 per 100,000 people which is above the national average.

While hospitals in other parts of the country have seen increased admissions, Harrogate District Hospital is currently treating 15 coronavirus patients.

Public health bosses also announced today the district will gets its own local test and trace system.

The move comes just weeks after the town opened its own permanent coronavirus testing site off Dragon Road.

The government has said the measures will be reviewed in four-weeks time but what seems certain is that lockdown will test the district’s businesses to the limit.

‘Disappointed and bemused’: junior football clubs react to shutdown

Junior football clubs in Harrogate and Knaresborough say they are “disappointed and bemused” at the decision to suspend all matches and training sessions from Thursday.

Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of a new one month lockdown, the FA released a statement yesterday that said all fixtures and training for youth football must end in line with the lockdown.

Chris McVey, chair of Pannal Ash juniors, a well established club that runs boys and girls teams from ages 5 to 18, told the Stray Ferret the enforced break will have a big impact on children’s lives and he is “struggling to come to terms” with the decision.

“The kids love the training so the boys, girls and the parents are all disappointed. Junior football only happens for a number of years, you don’t really appreciate it until it’s taken away from you. This is an important time in their lives, but when it’s gone it’s gone. They make friends for life playing junior football.”

The links between exercise and mental health are well known and Mr McVey believes the break will have a “massive” impact on children’s mental health.

He added:

“I fear that this time of year, when it’s dark, the kids won’t get out at all. That does affect them mentally just as much as physically.

“After last lockdown, the joy when the boys and girls came back was amazing. It was a real focus being with their friends again and getting fit.”

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Knaresborough Celtic have been a cornerstone of the community for many years. Club chair Matthew Wood told the Stray Ferret he disagreed with the implication that junior football is unsafe and said the lockdown is “a shame for the kids”.

“I have no evidence of anyone catching covid from playing junior football. We have a one-way system, sanitising, we haven’t had any cases. There isn’t much risk, I don’t think.”

With games cancelled during the first lockdown, Knaresborough Celtic gave parents partial subscription refunds. Mr Wood said the club is in a “challenging” financial environment but hope to receive grants from the FA or government, like last time.

“Who knows where we will end up. We still have our bills to pay, maintencnce, grass still needs cutting. A lot of parents dont realise happen.”

Some of their teams will have one last emotional training session tonight at King James’ school’s 3G pitch, which opened in February but hasn’t been fully utilised due to both lockdowns.

He said:

“There’ll be no skills or tactics, we’ll just let them play for an hour then we’ll see them again in the new year, I guess.”

Harrogate and Ripon self-employed angry and fearful of second lockdown

Self-employed businesses in the Harrogate district have expressed fears for their future ahead of a second national lockdown.

Two local business owners told the Stray Ferret they had just started to see work return after the first lockdown only to be told that the country will shutdown again on Thursday.

Hannah Ruddy, whose business Musicality Kids provides music classes for children in Harrogate, said she spent £1,500 on making her classes covid-secure only to now see her work cancelled.

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Ms Ruddy added she and many other self-employed people had received no support since the start of the pandemic.

She was among those who were denied a discretionary grant of up to £10,000 in September because she did not have business premises.

Now she is concerned about the impact of another lockdown:

“I’m worried because I do not know where the money is going to come from and if I’m going to have to borrow again.

“I’m concerned about the communication and clarity about how long this is going to go on for.

“But, most of all, I’m angry at the lack of support for a large proportion of the self employed.”

‘No idea if we will survive’

Jennie Eyres, who runs a teacher training business in Ripon, has also received no financial support.

Besides her teaching business, Ms Eyres also runs a magazine that publicises activities for children.

Although she has had some work from schools, her businesses face uncertainty as lockdown looms.

She said:

“I still do not get any support and one business is severely hampered because the companies I work with are in the leisure and entertainment industries.”

Ms Eyres said it was the worry of “not knowing from one week to next” where work was going to come from which affected her the most.

She added she was fortunate her savings and her husband’s income had enabled her family to stay afloat during the pandemic.

When asked if she felt her businesses could survive a four-week lockdown, Jenny said:

“If it does go down, then we will have to tighten our belts and do something else. But I do not know, I literally have no idea.”

Furlough extension

The government announced an extension to the furlough scheme as part of the Prime Minister’s announcement on Saturday evening.

It will see the scheme extended to December and pay 80% of employee salaries up to £2,500 a month.

Yesterday, Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that the self-employed would be able to claim state aid of up to 80% of profits during the second lockdown.

Unions seek talks on future of council leisure staff

The trade union Unison is seeking urgent talks on the future of Harrogate Borough Council leisure and sports centre staff when venues close this week.

Leisure centres and gyms across the district will shut on Thursday following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of a second lockdown in England.

Unison’s local government branch has asked to meet senior managers at the council to discuss the future of those affected.

Union officials said they will be seeking clarity on the futures of staff in sport, leisure and parks, as well as on whether the civic centre should remain open to visitors.

Many council staff, including leisure employees, were redeployed to other services during the spring lockdown to deal with extra demand.

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David Houlgate, branch secretary at Unison Harrogate, said council staff had ‘gone the extra mile’ during the pandemic and there was a need to know what would happen to them. He said:

“We have worked tirelessly with the council through the pandemic and we remain hopeful that, provided appropriate health and safety protocols are maintained and followed, HBC will continue to deliver much needed services and support to residents and businesses in the district.”

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“We are currently having discussions regarding staffing arrangements following the latest government restrictions.”

Lockdown ‘at worst possible time for retail’ says Harrogate bookshop

Lockdown will come at the “worst possible time for retail”, according to the owner of an independent bookshop in Harrogate.

Georgia Eckert, of Imagined Things Bookshop in Westminster Arcade, said she usually took a third of her annual takings in the eight-week run-up to Christmas.

Ms Eckert said she understood the government’s need to act but questioned how little time businesses had to prepare for the change.

“It’s come at the the worst time for retail. I know there is a lot of uncertainty but we didn’t have any time to plan for it.

“The government had said for ages there wouldn’t be another national lockdown.”

Ms Eckert is due to give birth in March and had recently extended her staff team from one to three. She said:

“I’m relieved the furlough scheme will continue. I just hope we can reopen in December but even if we can there is a limit to how many people we can have in the shop due to social distancing.”

Ms Eckert said her business would “do everything it can” to survive, by providing click and collect, home deliveries and developing its website.

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Being a former NHS employee, Ms Eckert said she understood action had to be taken to prevent hospitals being overwhelmed. She added:

“Let’s hope business will bounce back strongly but we have to get through this first.”

Gardens centres and RHS Harlow Carr will stay open

Garden centres in the Harrogate district and RHS Harlow Carr will remain open during the second national coronavirus lockdown.

The lockdown will start on Thursday and last until at least December 2, with non essential shops and restaurants forced to close.

However, RHS Harlow Carr, which has its own garden centre, says it has reviewed government guidance and that it can stay open.

The RHS has said it is monitoring the situation closely and is awaiting the publication of the new lockdown regulations

To effectively manage social distancing measure the RHS has asked all visitors to pre-book a time slot in advance.

The National Trust meanwhile has tweeted that it is still awaiting for national guidance as to whether Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal can stay open.

Please note that there will be very limited access to the abbey on 3&4 Nov. The water garden, cafe, shop, play area & deer park are still open and can be accessed from the visitor centre.
Beyond Wednesday, we're awaiting national guidance on opening. Please bear with us for now. pic.twitter.com/hogCOkqMVi

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) November 2, 2020

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Garden centres across the district will also remain open.

Crimple Hall Garden Centre, on Leeds Road in Harrogate, told the Stray Ferret it will remain open. While the cafe will be closed it will serve takeaway hot drinks, sandwiches and cakes.

F. Tate and Sons, a garden centre in Ripon, also told the Stray Ferret that it will stay open. It will need to close its new cafe but is looking into providing takeaway food and drink as well.

Daleside Nurseries Ltd, in Killinghall, has also confirmed that it will remain open and said it is continuing to work in coronavirus safe ways. It will run a takeaway service.