| Dear reader,
After what felt like the briefest summer of freedom, the Prime Minister announced yesterday that coronavirus restrictions would return next week with considerable force. Allister Heath writes that while schools will remain open, a second lockdown will be far more devastating than the first for the country’s social fabric.
Indeed, as Michael Deacon writes in his brand new column, the public may not be inclined at all to follow the new restrictions, considering the blame game the Government keeps playing.
The new rules are, however, set to be more stringently applied than during the lockdown. Our expert reporters explain in detail what they will mean for the economy, universities, pubs and restaurants, gyms, weddings, events and sports.
It is also a significant day for the Brexit negotiations. The Government’s decision to unilaterally amend parts of the Withdrawal Agreement caused much anger in Brussels and emergency talks are taking place today. Sherelle Jacobs makes the case for breaching the Withdrawal Agreement.
Finally, while the United States wrestles with another year of natural disasters, it’s unlikely that any will come close to the devastation caused 120 years ago this week by the Great Storm of 1900. Chris Leadbeater tells the fascinating story of America’s most deadly natural disaster.
Chris
P.S. Yesterday we launched our new newsletter, Letter from the Middle East. Written by our correspondents in Jerusalem and Beirut, James Rothwell and Campbell MacDiarmid, the weekly bulletin will take a deeper look at the people and the politics of the region. Sign up for free here. |
