A few Brexiteers have rest of us over a Covid barrel

Sir, - I write on Boxing Day, one day before the UK Government’s review of what happens next in terms of preventative measures against the spread of Covid. Please note “preventative measures”, as opposed to “restrictions”, as used by some others.

The powerful 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady has expressed his opinion: “As we look forward to the new year, it is time to move on from the lazy assumption that government has the right to control our lives; we should take responsibility for our own lives once again.”

This undemocratic group within the Conservative and Unionist Party, previously known as the European Research Group (ERG), has metamorphosed into the Covid Recovery Group (CRG).

They are the same group that pressurised for Brexit and we have the evidence of that handiwork in fishing, farming, health and hospitality.

One CRG member stated: “If No 10 proposes any tighter restrictions after Christmas, those freedom-loving Cabinet ministers must speak out against it’.”

Possible candidates for PM, should Johnson stand down, are advised their positions on this issue will be remembered.

A year after Brexit, the evidence is starting to be visible. Food left to rot in the fields. Fish failing to get to market in time. Hospitality lacking staff.

Home Secretary Patel has relaxed the rules for foreign nationals entering the care sector to back-fill vacancies left when foreign workers went home and didn’t come back.

So this CRG are now going to try to set the direction of government policy that affects us all.

A group of 80-100 MPS can change the direction of a 650MP Parliament. That’s UK democracy.

Alistair Ballantyne. Birkhill, Angus.