Johnson looks to Labour for help
BORIS JOHNSON will be forced to rely on Labour to get coronavirus restrictions through Parliament with up to 100 Conservatives unhappy about the tiers system, a Cabinet minister has admitted.
George Eustice acknowledged there is “great frustration” on the Tory benches about the measures, which will see 99% of England facing major restrictions on hospitality and mixing with other households.
The Prime Minister will publish an impact assessment of the restrictions ahead of a crunch Commons vote today in an attempt to win over would-be rebels.
Scores of Tory MPS have spoken out against the new system in England, which the Government wants to bring into force tomorrow when the national lockdown ends.
But despite offering them another chance to vote on the restrictions early next year – meaning the measures could lapse on February 3 – several said they still have reservations.
Labour is not expected to oppose the measures, meaning Mr Johnson should get them through Parliament, but being forced to rely on decisions being made by Sir Keir
Starmer will be uncomfortable Prime Minister.
Environment Secretary Mr Eustice told Sky News that Chief Whip Mark Spencer would be trying to win round Tory MPS ahead of the vote.
“I’ve seen suggestions there could be up to 100 or so people that have got concerns,” Mr Eustice said.
That means “it will depend on what the Labour Party choose to do” but during a “national emergency” it would not be right to “play political games”.
Conservative MP Peter Bone said he is “undecided” and will make his mind up for the after seeing the impact assessment, telling the PA news agency: “The dilemma I have is do we do more damage by the tiered system of lockdown, or do we do less?”
Another senior Tory backbencher said his vote is “still in the balance” as he urged Mr Johnson to provide analysis of how the tier restrictions will affect businesses, saying he does not have confidence the Government is really considering their needs.
Labour leader Sir Keir was expected to hold talks with England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, yesterday as he decides whether to support the Government’s tier system.
The Prime Minister’s argument for stringent restrictions will be boosted by new figures suggesting coronavirus infections fell by almost a third in England during the second national lockdown.
There was a 30% drop in cases across the country over almost a fortnight this month, the latest interim findings from Imperial College London’s React study showed.
Regionally, the research suggests infections fell by more than half in the North West and North East, and were also down in Yorkshire and the Humber.