The new tier restrictions announced by the Government yesterday have been met with widespread consternation. Not just by those that will suffer most, hospitality businesses, but also by many Conservative MPs.
Deputy chair of the Covid Recovery Group, a group of Conservative MPs who scrutinise the Government’s response to the Covid pandemic, described the new restrictions as “truly appalling”.
Another ‘unnamed’ group of Conservative rebels labelled the restrictions as “authoritarianism at work”.
Chairman of the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers, Sir Graham Brady interviewed by the BBC following the announcement said he was of the opinion that the rules “interfered in people’s private and personal lives in a way which is unacceptable”.
Many more Conservative MPs have said that the restrictions are too draconian and will cause unjustifiable economic injury to businesses already wounded, citing the hospitality industry as the primary casualty.
Some Conservative MPs are grouping anonymously in their disquiet, others like Jonathan Djanogly, Conservative MP for Huntingdon, who voted against the current lockdown, has openly stated he could oppose the government again.
The Government’s new tier system goes to Parliament next Tuesday for the house to approve, and currently the numbers are not looking good for the Prime Minister.
With a majority in the Commons of 80 since his election Johnson has seen most legislation waved through without much ado. Next week could see his majority challenged and even defeated as some of his own MPs now look set to revolt.
The numbers potentially are quite stark from the Prime Minister’s perspective, as only 40 MPs are needed to vote down the latest tier restrictions.
Sir Keir Starmer has not yet shown his hand, which is worrying for the PM as if there is a Conservative rebellion he would need support from Labour to resist it.
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Hospitality & Catering News: Hope for hospitality as MPs rally to challenge new tier restrictions – 27 November 2020 – Hope for hospitality as MPs rally to challenge new tier restrictions.
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