EXC: The SNP is open to voting for Covid passports in England. If they back Government then it is almost certain to pass Parliament. With @HarryYorke1telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/…
SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford has opened for door to voting for Covid passports. Here is his full quote to @Telegraph tonight.
If the SNP votes with the Government on Covid passports then around 80 Tory MPs would need to rebel to stop it. Possibly more. Way above the 41 currently opposing. A very tall order.
Critically Blackford is arguing the SNP has the right to vote on Covid passports even though it would only impact England. He argues Scots would be affected who visit to see friends or work.
Why would the SNP support Covid checks? One potential answer is Nicola Sturgeon is considering similar moves north of the border. Would be strange to vote down something being adopted in Scotland.
What about the ‘English votes for English laws’ rules (EVEL)? They are currently suspended during the pandemic. And even under those rules, SNP can vote in the final, binding vote on new laws.
To boil it down: Even if a coalition of all Labour MPs, all Lib Dem MPs and say 50 Tory MPs vote against Covid passports it would still likely pass if the SNP sides with the Gov.
Which somewhat checks the momentum of the Tory rebellion.
Worth saying all this is still pretty preliminary. We don’t know what exactly the Government will put to Parli on Covid passports and what vote it would be. Probs some vote before June. But reflects how tricky it will be to defeat the Gov on this.
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One of the endless debates that will be had over the coming months is what exactly is and is not a Covid passport. The definition is loose and shifting... 1/6
The ‘passport’ bit begun in the discussion on overseas travel (which makes sense linguistically, a document that allows you to fly) before being used in debate about its use in domestic settings.... 2/6
To add to the complexity, the Government has widened out the definition of these checks to include three things: jab, negative test, antibodies. Which helps counter the criticism of discrimination (people who don’t have jab can get tests). 3/6
1) I understand Government within days will announce new details on a dozen ‘pilots’ for reopening large events. Some are expected to trial Covid passports. The Brit Awards are in talks to be part of scheme.
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2) We’re soon getting a load of details on the pilots. Probs at Boris Johnson’s presser Monday. The scheme’s already been announced but lots more coming - full list of events, how it will work, plans for Covid passport trials among them.
3) Having talked to a load of government + industry sources, it is clear around a dozen pilot events are being planned starting early April and running through May. The key aim: working out how reopening large events can happen safely.