But more areas could be in top Tier 3 than before November lockdown, ahead of Christmas relaxation

“A number of people – who just happen to share the quality of being friends of the Conservative Party – were just given the nod."

However, Sage colleague Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter said it is “perfectly reasonable” to return to a tiered approach but warned a national easing over Christmas will have costs.

'Whether it's giving contracts worth millions of pounds to their chums or giving lobbyist mates jobs and access to secret information, this government is making a mockery of our national effort against coronavirus.'

“We have no idea what the virus could do to somebody. I understand people want to get together, it’s been an incredibly difficult year … but at what cost?”

"All the snowflake accounts p*ssing themselves over the two covid tests a week 'freedom pass' headline are the same ones who told people 'if you don't like it then move to another country' after Brexit vote."

This drop is partly driven by 2019 Labour voters, whose confidence in the party leader has fallen slightly following his suspension of the whip from Jeremy Corbyn.

“We saw ministers join millions of us clapping firefighters, refuse collectors, social care workers – I don’t think this would be the time to reward them with a real pay cut."

“We should not be going for a deal at any price, that would be the wrong thing to do and I think there are things that are important to us in these negotiations, and we’ve been entirely, as I said, reasonable, consistent and transparent.”