THE MP for Eddisbury, Edward Timpson, has encouraged unity between residents throughout the current Covid-19 lockdown.

From Thursday, November 5, England will enter a four-week national lockdown, encouraging people to stay home and only leave the house when necessary.

Mr Timpson says that while the lockdown is something no-one wants, it is a necessity to help safeguard the NHS.

"None of us want this," said Mr Timpson. "Lives against livelihoods – and, I would add, quality of life – presents an invidious conundrum.

"We all crave normality, certainty and hope.

"It's why during the first period of lockdown I pushed the government to keep as much of the economy open as possible, and where common sense allowed – with successes including garden centres, zoos, and beauty parlours, and an ongoing battle with wedding venues.

"But what has become clear is that the virus is, once again, spreading exponentially across all age groups, and with it threatening to overwhelm the NHS unless action is taken.

"So while I am hugely reluctant to take this step back into tougher restrictions – and being acutely aware of the wider social, financial and mental health issues this course action impacts upon people I also recognise – having looked carefully at the detailed data and scientific evidence presented to us, further measures are now needed.

"I have also pressed ministers for a plan for us living with the virus longer term, which explains what we will do next time after we reduce the infection rate, as well as what is being done to transform NHS Test and Trace, so it better contains the virus once we have got it back under control.

"And with that, enable us to get back a sense of normality as soon as possible."