With the Labour benches empty, it’s up to MPs on my side of the House to hold Govt to account.
Here’s why I will be voting against the renewal of Covid restrictions, including information that leads us to conclude it’s unlikely 19 July will see restrictions end 👇
The explanatory memo accompanying these regulations - approved by @dhscgovuk - shows that the 1st dose vaccinations Govt wants to get done ASAP won’t take place until August, so people not protected until 2/3 weeks after that.
That implies a further delay way beyond 19 July 👇
PM has said that 19 July is a ‘terminus’ date…
…but, as the clip in my previous tweet & this image shows, the explanatory memo says the purpose of the delay past 21 June is to collect more data to see if the tests are met
It’s clear that a further delay is entirely possible
I’m afraid we’ve heard promises before about the end of restrictions being just round the corner, and it not being delivered
People’s lives are being moved around new dates & the moving of goalposts. Our constituents need to avoid having their hopes repeatedly dashed
Here are some more snippets from the explanatory memo of the regulations that inform the concerns that the 19 July may just be the beginning of further delays…
Finally, here is why I will be voting against the motion continuing with ‘hybrid Parliament’ proceedings.
In its current hybrid form, our Parliament is not as effective at holding Govt to account as usual. Our democracy’s health requires that this is remedied.
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We have a rapid rollout of effective vaccines and are heading into summer. If, even at this point, the Govt won’t release restrictions, this points to restrictions in the autumn and winter, when respiratory diseases increase and the NHS is always under more pressure…1/8
…Indeed, that’s what one unnamed Minister fears might happen on the cover of today’s Sunday Telegraph.
This would be devastating for business confidence, people’s livelihoods and wellbeing..2/8
Delaying 21 June will send a clear message to employers and workers that, when Covid cases increase this (and every) autumn and winter, they cannot rely on Govt to keep our society open.
Catastrophic for many businesses currently on life support..3/8
🤔The limit on funeral attendees has been lifted over a month earlier than planned. Why stop there?
👉 Social distancing should be completely scrapped from 21 June so businesses can plan to fully reopen & ensure that we are truly on the “one way road to freedom” the PM promised
💉 The Covid Recovery Group position is clear and based on science & data: we can safely unlock domestic restrictions faster than the roadmap
📊 The data we see now proves we’re right
👉 The ONS said last week that even reopening schools didn’t lead to a spike in infections
🚨Extending powers to October raises justifiable concerns that restrictions will be reintroduced in the Autumn
👉 The burden is on Govt to clearly justify to Parliament each measure they wish to retain & explain why they are proportionate, reasonable & grounded in evidence 2/4
💷 You may hear some try to suggest that the Coronavirus Act needs to be extended to October in order to keep the financial support packages in place
💉 The benefits from our world-leading vaccine rollout risk being squandered. How so, you may ask?
📊 The data and scientific and medical advice say one dose gives vast majority of protection. The Govt used to agree...until today 👇 (1/4)
💉 The UK’s four Chief Medical Officers say first dose brings ‘substantial protection’ (link below)
🤔 Changing the goalposts (by requiring most people to have second dose before bulk of restrictions are lifted) casts unwarranted doubts on efficacy (2/4)
💬 The start of the Oxford/AstraZeneca rollout is excellent news and will provide reassurance to so many. AZ’s chief executive has said they can produce up to 2 million doses a week. 1/6
💬 .@MattHancock told me last week that the NHS is capable of delivering the vaccines at this pace. This must become the central, overriding focus of government and I would encourage ministers to publish daily reports of progress. 2/6
💬 Vaccinating the oldest and most at risk groups dramatically changes the impact of Covid – in terms of deaths, serious health consequences and admissions to hospital. 3/6