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.

Well, the rain has finally stopped falling and the skies are brightening as we bring yet another ghastly week of lockdown to a close with some reasons to be cheerful this morning.

First of all, I can actually see the Tower of London. It's definitely still there.

I heard a story last night on James Welles show that one of the Ravens has died.

I'm not sure what that means, but I'm pretty sure we'll find out if it means anything bad.

Somebody will tell us.

I think they almost have to have six at any given time to ensure that the world continues to be a reasonably decent place.

But after some pretty dreadful statistics since the weekend, we're now told that the R-Rrate has retreated supposedly to below one,

and COVID cases are actually falling across most of England.

Public Health England say weekly cases have come down,

and infections are declining in all age groups except for the over 80s.

Now, that's where almost 90% of deaths actually occur.

This, they say, is due to the lockdown. Well, they would say

that, wouldn't they? But only a few days ago, they were telling us that we wouldn't see the

benefit of the lockdown for at least another two weeks. So which is it? Can't be both, can it?

This morning we'll take stock on the situation with former Sun Political Eleanor George Pascoe Watson.

Earlier this week, of course, I asked when we could start to see a roadmap

for escape from this draconian economic strangulation and stagnation that businesses are having

to suffer. Surely now, we must demand it even more. And as more and more people are vaccinated,

we need more and more businesses to be able to actually do business, don't we? 0344-49-1,000.

Coming up later on, we're joined by Mail on Sunday columnist Dan Hodges.

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