NORTHERN Ireland has a five stage plan. The rest of the UK doesn’t.

You have been able to shop in a garden centre in England and Wales. Not in Scotland.

You have been able to play golf in England but the home of golf has been closed for business. When the leaders of all parts of the UK are receiving the same scientific and medical advice, why do they feel it’s necessary to have their own special plan? Obvious isn’t it?

Because they can, and it feeds their political egos. Most thinking people will acknowledge that a coherent, co-ordinated UK wide strategy to, firstly, get the epidemic under control, then to lead us, together, step by step, to the new normal, offers the lowest risk way forward.

Regional variations based on hard scientific evidence, such as different Ro rates, would justify different restrictions.

But political showboating shouldn’t be part of the decision making process. The only level of government that can assess the totality of the health and economic risks, and pay for the latter, is Westminster. These devolved powers should be returned to the UK Government once this is over.

COUNCILLOR TONY MIKLINSKI.