Thread by @joepike

Labour leader @Keir_Starmer is now live on @RidgeOnSunday. Tell @SophyRidgeSky:

-Supports fines for people breaking self-isolation rules.
-COVID testing 'is barely serviceable' and 'a major problem'.
-Reporting neighbours to police 'depends on the circumstances'.

#Ridge

.@Keir_Starmer to @SophyRidgeSky:

-Govt has 'lost control of testing' so unsure where the virus is.
-PM should apologise.
-PM should restart daily briefings.
-Children should be prioritised for tests.

#Ridge

.@Keir_Starmer to @SophyRidgeSky:

-'I cannot believe we did not scenario plan' for kids returning to school and getting ill.
-Big difference between him at Corbyn: need to listen to those who didn't vote Labour or never have.

#Ridge

.@Keir_Starmer on #Brexit:

-If PM fails to get a Brexit trade deal, 'he owns that failure'.
-PM ran in election saying he had oven ready deal. Suggests he may have miss-sold the deal to the country.

#Ridge

.@Keir_Starmer on #Brexit, getting into power and the union:

-'The leave / remain argument is over'.
-Clear he wants to win: 'I didn't come into politics to be in opposition'.
-#indyref2 would be divisive. SNP should be focussing on COVID.
-Needs to be a COBR meeting.

#Brexit

.@Keir_Starmer dodging question of whether pro-indy majority in 2021 Holyrood elections would mean #indyref2.

-Says he is a vegetarian for environmental reasons: it's 'not the right thing for the body and the planet'.
-He misses bacon sandwiches and chicken curry.

#Ridge

Health Secretary @MattHancock now live on @RidgeOnSunday:

-'I don't want to see more restrictive measures' but people need to follow rules.
-Are people following the rules? 'People have got more relaxed over the Summer'.
-'Yes of course' I'm worried about the data.

#Ridge

On grouse-shooting exemption @MattHancock tells @SophyRidgeSky:

-'A number of sports fit within rules of six because of the distance' like with organised football and cricket.
-'Sports broadly are important and best done within COVID-secure' guidelines.

#Ridge

On possible 2 week 'circuit break' and London restrictions, @MattHancock tells @SophyRidgeSky:

-We've 'increasingly relied on local approach... local lockdowns are necessary'.
-Teams from DHSC and Mayor of London's office are meeting today.

#Ridge

On testing @MattHancock tells @SophyRidgeSky:

-'Capacity is at record levels': 250K/day.
-'We suddenly got a spike of people who don't have symptoms coming forward for a test'.
-In last 2 days 'we have seen thankfully the demand coming down again'.

#Ridge

On testing @MattHancock also tells @SophyRidgeSky:

-'Now demand is above capacity it's important we prioritise people with symptoms'.
-Refuses to apologise for testing problems, as requested by @Keir_Starmer earlier on #Ridge.

On care homes @MattHancock tells @SophyRidgeSky:

-Are we about to make the same mistakes again? 'No.'
-100K tests/day are sent to social care.
-People going in care homes must be isolated if they test positive.
-'We have isolation facilities outside care homes.'

#Ridge

On whether @MattHancock has the stamina for the job:

'Yes. Personally I feel incredibly motivated to do the right thing.'

#Ridge | @SophyRidgeSky

Unite union leader Len McCluskey now live on @RidgeOnSunday:

-'Deeply worried' about COVID impact on job losses. 'The clock is ticking'.
-'Our workers will be having sleepless nights' unlike their counterparts in European countries where furlough scheme extended.

#Ridge

Len McCluskey has written to the PM for a meeting.

Has PM replied? 'Not yet'.

Argues Chancellor @RishiSunak needs to introduce sector packages for aviation, automotive, hospitality.

#Ridge

McCluskey on @Keir_Starmer:

His 'new leadership' slogan is 'a bit meaningless'.

'I do support Keir.... He is competent' especially at PMQs.

'He is doing OK... He needs to move on in terms of policies and vision.'

#Ridge

McCluskey says @Keir_Starmer 'needs to listen to the left... without the left Keir will I'm afraid sail the ship on to the rocks.'

He 'will be our PM' if he sticks to Corbyn's policies. If not? 'He'll be in trouble'.

#Ridge | @SophyRidgeSky