Andy Burnham has called for a new “joint protocol” between the Scottish government and devolved English administrations in an effort to avoid a repeat of a covid travel ban being imposed without notice.
After an all-day on-air slanging between himself and the SNP First Minister, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester wrote to Nicola Sturgeon extending an olive branch of co-operation.
Burnham still fizzed at not being given notice of the ban announced on Friday by Sturgeon on Scots travelling to Manchester and Salford because of concerns over the high level of covid infections.
The pair engaged in a war of words in television interviews on Monday as the Greater Manchester mayor continued his criticism of the restrictions, saying he felt people in his region had been “insulted” by Sturgeon’s “high handed” approach and lack of consultation.
The First Minister defended her decision and suggested Burnham was seeking to “generate a spat” with her in order to position himself in a future Labour leadership contest.
Later in a stinging letter to Sturgeon, Burnham repeated demands for individuals affected by the travel ban to be compensated, something the Scottish Government has already dismissed, and for fairness in imposing covid restrictions.
Burnham pointed out that on the latest government figures Bolton has a covid-19 case rate lower than Dundee, while Salford and Manchester were at similar levels.
He wrote: “However, Bolton residents are still subject to a travel ban whilst Dundee residents are not. How is this consistent and fair, and what is the justification for continuing a ban on Bolton residents?”
“We believe residents of both cities deserve an explanation of the criteria and thresholds you are using. They also need to know by your criteria what the case rate needs to be for the travel ban to be ended on why did you not make that clear when imposing the ban?”
Burnham also renewed his call for the Scottish government to compensate individuals, using a couple who had booked a Scottish holiday cottage they cannot now travel to as an example.
The former Labour MP dismissed Sturgeon’s accusation that he was politicking for a place in a future Labour leadership contest by attacking the policies.
He wrote: “Your suggestion today is that our concerns are all about politics and nothing else is frankly insulting to people in this position. I would be grateful if you would explain to them why you don’t feel they’re entitled to compensation. I would also like to know why you think businesses in Greater Manchester that have lost trade are also not to be recompensed.”
Burnham concluded his letter with an offer to de-escalate the row after Sturgeon pointed out that if he wanted a “grown-up” conversation all he had to do was pick up the phone to her.
He said: “I note that today you have suggested I should to call you. I’m always happy to speak, but how was I to know about the change. More broadly, it is normal practice and common courtesy, for those who are making decisions which are impacting on others to initiate communications."
"Our 2.8 million residents deserve to be treated with due respect and proper consideration when restrictions have been implemented,which will affect their lives, be that by the Westminster Government or by your administration
“To prevent a repeat, I would suggest we work together to develop a joint protocol, setting out better ways of working that will be beneficial to both sides."
