England to be plunged into tough tiers tonight after Boris bats off Tory rebels
Ministers have voted in favour of the Government’s tougher three-tier system which will replace national lockdown restrictions.
Boris Johnson was facing the biggest rebellion of his premiership as he desperately attempted to convince Tory MPs to back the plans, which will come into effect shortly after midnight on Wednesday.
Following a heated debate in the Commons, MPs voted to approve the latest Covid-19 regulations by 291 votes to 78, majority 213. The Labour whips suggested that around 56 Conservative MPs voted against the Government.
The vote means 99% of England – more than 55 million people – will be plunged under the two toughest tiers in a matter of hours.
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The prime minister reportedly stood by the lobby pleading with his MPs not to vote against the Government, after swathes of his ministers criticised the plans.
Many argued for transparency over data to support the localised restrictions, while others insisted greater financial support must be offered to support the nation’s most hard hit industries through the next round of measures.
As part of the prime minister’s efforts to win over his backbenchers, he announced a £1,000 one-off payment would be made to ‘wet’ pubs in tiers two and three that cannot offer food as a ‘substantial meal’.
Mr Johnson acknowledged the hospitality sector had borne a ‘disproportionate’ burden of restrictions as he announced the payout – but pub landlords have branded the grant as ‘insulting’.
Tory former health minister Jackie Doyle-Price said several sectors are being restricted on the ‘most arbitrary of judgments’.
He said: ‘These decisions are being taken really on the back of a fag packet but are destroying whole swathes of the hospitality industry.
‘As a Conservative, it appals me that we’re being so cavalier about jobs and wealth creation.’
Conservative Steve Baker was one of several Conservative MPs who vowed to vote against the restrictions in the Commons ‘to send a message to the Government’.
He added: ‘People like me have not just been looking for economic analysis, we’ve been looking for serious analysis of these harms and benefits from the Government’s policies in the context of coronavirus.’
A Government spokesman welcomed the vote, adding: ‘This will help to safeguard the gains made during the past month and keep the virus under control.
‘We will continue to work with MPs who have expressed concerns in recent days.’
This story is being updated, more to follow…
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