Opinion: ‘Not the Christmas we had hoped for...’

We had all hoped for a proper Christmas. After the city’s huge efforts over the course of this year, we were due a break and some festive normality. Like so much else in 2020, it wasn’t to be.

This has been an incredibly difficult few weeks. Peterborough moved to Tier 3 and then Tier 4 within 24 hours. So many families have been forced to change their plans for Christmas, my own included.

I am so sorry for the pain this will cause.

Although this wasn’t my decision, the new variant of Coronavirus is spreading fast, particularly in our area.

I was sceptical about some of the previous restrictions and voted against the regulations for Tiers 1-3. Nevertheless, our city’s rate is now above 300 cases per 100,000 people – taking us beyond the regional and national average.

This cannot be disregarded. Nor can we ignore the impact on Peterborough City Hospital. The capacity constraints within the NHS are real, which the sight of ambulances queuing over recent days has confirmed.

As Peterborough’s MP, I have three main messages:

(1) Our city’s cases have been below average for most of the pandemic. We have done well, thanks in no small part to local people following the rules. This spike in numbers is attributed to the new variant of COVID-19, not to our behaviour. It’s far more contagious – although it probably isn’t any more or less dangerous when caught. We shouldn’t blame ourselves.

(2) The closure of non-essential shops will have an impact on many businesses. The Government and Peterborough City Council do have schemes available to help. Please check this support if you are affected, because there are still unclaimed grants and more is available. Likewise, we can all use ‘click and collect’ to support local businesses.

(3) For some, things feel bleak and the news will be a big blow to many. The consequences for our mental health cannot be ignored. I want people who suffer over this holiday period to know that you are not alone. If you need to talk to someone, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Lifeline is open from 11am to 11pm every day on freephone 0808 808 2121.

We will get through this, together.

The UK vaccination programme still offers a route back to normality next year, which this new strain shouldn’t prevent in any way. When you get your invitation to be vaccinated, you can do your bit for us all. I will certainly get my jab with pride.

Combined with rapid testing, we now have solid reasons for optimism about the future. It’s great that Peterborough City Council has already begun our local rapid testing programme.

For now, these tests are by invitation only, covering around a thousand households in parts of Millfield and Ravensthorpe. The programme will expand in the new year. Again, please do participate if asked and book your rapid test using the information on the invitation.

This Christmas is not the one I wanted or planned. It’s not the Christmas that our city deserved. Yet it can still be a Christmas where we have hope.

Good things are still going to happen in our City. 2021 and beyond is our time - the time when Peterborough reaches its potential and we make the decisions that will guarantee our health, wealth and happiness. We will build back better!