MIKE HILL: Savannah really is a glorious ambassador for our town

The Olympic Bronze medallist has gone from strength to strength in the boxing world and is a glorious ambassador for the town. A very hard fought for, and well-deserved title, which well and truly puts Savannah and Hartlepool on the map.

Of course, today the whole nation has once again gone into a second lockdown. Labour did warn the Government that a short circuit break lockdown should have been introduced weeks ago in line with scientific advice, but they not only ignored the idea, they ridiculed it. Had they listened to our advice, the half term holiday would have been included as part of a national lockdown and thus lessened the impact on families and our children’s education, and not threatened Christmas.

The data is now showing that while the Chancellor’s Eat Out to Help Out initiative gave a boost to the hospitality sector, the initiative led to a major spike in the virus. Given this, it is hard to see how Boris is going to open the same floodgates just so he can say the Tories didn’t cancel Christmas. Talks between Government Ministers, local MPs and council leaders took place on Tuesday and genuine concerns remain that Hartlepool and the Tees Valley could slip into tier 3 after the 2nd of December. For many families Boris could yet cancel Christmas if we aren’t careful.

I am listening carefully to the desperate cries from local businesses, charities and even churches who have contacted me this week about the lockdown which starts today. I voted for it because I have seen the data in terms of predicted deaths and the strain on our NHS, but equally I recognise the damage to the local economy, to people’s jobs and mental health that another lock down is about to do. I will keep fighting hard for the people of Hartlepool and for their families and businesses to get us through this together.

Tough times call for tough decisions and we have to ensure that our NHS can save every possible life so once again I say: Stay at Home. Protect our NHS. Save Lives