Across the UK, online, on DAB and on your smart speaker, the Independent Republic of Mike Graham, on Talk Radio.

Good morning and welcome to the Independent Republic of Mike Graham right here on Talk Radio.

The gloom has descended on the Capitol this morning as the clouds have moved in and the temperature has plummeted.

The streets of London, meanwhile, are getting busier as more and more people make a return to work in one way, shape or form.

While Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged everyone to hold their patience and stick to the lockdown rules,

there are signs that the edges are beginning to fray somewhat.

This morning we talked to former MEP Claire Fox on the virtues or otherwise of the lockdown.

She says we shouldn't be enjoying our new restricted lifestyles

and the sooner we can find a new normality, the better.

I think I tend to agree with her.

While clearly we do need to stick to the way that Boris Johnson has asked us to stick to,

there are some people who have decided that if they voluntarily stopped working and they can

voluntarily start again, then surely that's what they should be doing. We'll also be joining

in the minute's silence this morning for health workers who have passed away during the pandemic. That's

coming at 11 o'clock. Later on, we're traveling to New Zealand, where their

four-week lockdown is beginning to be lifted, and where people have been eating McDonald's and

drinking coffee for the first time in over a month. Plus, we'll speak to the hospitality sector

in this country, where chefs and pub owners are worried it could be December before they are back

in business. 0344-49-1-1-000 is the number.

And as ever, we want to hear from you out there on the front line of the lockdown.

Your stories, your knowledge and your problems are all very important to us.

So please do get in touch.

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