Starmer calls on PM to impose ‘circuit-breaker’ as Labour backs national lockdown of up to three weeks

Latest updates and essential advice from The Independent [View in browser]( [Alternate text] Daily briefing October 14, 2020 Today’s essential news from the source you trust This morning’s headlines Sir Keir Starmer has smashed the political consensus on coronavirus, calling for [a time-limited “circuit breaker” lockdown]( across the whole of England to try to bring the disease under control. In his boldest move since becoming Labour leader in April, Starmer used a live televised news conference to say: “Three things are now clear: the government has not got a credible plan to slow infections. It has lost control of the virus. And it’s no longer following the scientific advice.” He said that Boris Johnson’s three-tier Covid alert level plan, launched on Monday, would cause “prolonged agony” to the economy as restrictions were repeatedly ramped up in response to their inevitable failure. London meanwhile looks [almost certain to face stricter coronavirus restrictions within days]( as infections rise in the capital. The city has been given the lowest alert level of the three-tier local lockdown strategy being introduced across England this week. The “medium” risk rating means Londoners face no new restrictions for the time being. But local leaders believe tougher rules are “inevitable” if the spread of the virus continues on its current trajectory, with mayor Sadiq Khan warning the capital could be upgraded to “high” alert this week. He said: “The virus is now spreading very quickly in every corner of London. The number of cases is rapidly increasing and all the indicators we look at are moving in the wrong direction.” In the US, Donald Trump [ignored multiple polls showing him losing Pennsylvania to former vice president Joe Biden]( at his latest rally in the state on Tuesday night, declaring he cannot “imagine losing to a guy like this”. The president used his latest appearance to again distort his record and that of his Democratic challenger, while ignoring medical experts by telling attendees who have had the coronavirus that they are now “immune for life.” His top infectious diseases official, Dr Anthony Fauci, who has added to his long list of Washington enemies, said as recently as Monday that there are a large number of cases across the globe where coronavirus victims caught the disease a second time. For a daily briefing on the race for the White House, [sign up here for our Inside Washington newsletter](. . We need your support The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider showing your support with a contribution. [Contribute]( . Top stories [How Bolton avoided a third major lockdown despite cases surging]( [Apple hopes 5G, magnets and no smashes will win people over]( [PM jokes restrictions will spare public Christmas with in-laws]( . Polarized: Voices from across America Join us on 21 October at 6.30pm BST as we speak to voters from across America to discuss the burning issues of the day, just days out from election day. [Book your free ticket]( . More news - [Cummings and family ‘avoid huge council tax bill on Durham properties’]( - [Australia’s Great Barrier Reef 'has lost half its corals since 1995’]( - [Maxwell attorneys appeal to judges to keep deposition secret]( If you can spare two minutes we’d love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News email and Breaking News alerts, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.