Big news in the Republic of Ireland. (Soft) Level 5 for much of the country for six weeks. Restrictions not as harsh as spring but not that far removed. Potentially salutary for Conservatives and Lab in the UK. For the Tories because Irish govt decided only national lockdown...

... would have an adequate behavioural effect on the population (a key argument made by
@AndyBurnhamGM). For Labour, because Irish assessment is short lockdown won’t work, a six week period is necessary to keep December clear.

https://twitter.com/lewis_goodall/st...68249600045059
Questions being asked around the UK and Ireland (or Ireland from UK perspective) being what can be afforded, what will be complied with sufficiently to have desired impact, what comes next.

Good point made on BBC Wales at lunchtime being that the slower come down from full lockdown was our Plan A for not having to reintroduce such strict measures again this year. Plan B hopefully will work but maybe it's just about giving things time to resolve themselves in England where decision will be made about what can UK financially afford.