[0762]

What I found interesting re Greater Manchester and the stance taken by Andy Burnham is the fact that many people of different political persuasions, incl quite a few local Tories (plus some in the GM Young Conservative group) actually support the GM Mayor and endorse his view re support for many vulnerable groups (plus many businesses, many of which are "teetering on the brink" of extinction) that he insisted were gonna suffer quite badly without additional govt support. I also notice these Tories, in a parliamentary vote, have turned down Marcus Rashford's appeal for provision of free school meals for children under 16 during school hols. Rashford briefly commented this is about humanity, not politics esp at a time when lots n lots of people in the social divide are forced out of work and will be in the future. But one can argue there is a welfare benefit provision in place but during this period of a national crisis, deprived families/children will be exposed greatly to food shortage challenges. Call it a "sticking plaster" during a pandemic that will at least help but I think most wealthy Tories (show me a poor Toerag eh!!) don't quite "get it" and never will as such free school provision is being practised in the devolved countries, Wales and Scotland.