Boris Johnson has refused to rule out yet another national lockdown in the New Year as speculation mounts England will enter a THIRD lockdown in January.
Quizzed over the prospect after it was announced that Wales and Northern Ireland will lockdown immediately after Christmas. Johnson said:
“We’re hoping very much that we will be able to avoid anything like that. But the reality is that the rates of infection have increased very much in the last few weeks.”
However, there is a very real chance he could struggle to get the measure through Parliament. Over 50 Tory MPs rebelled against the latest round of restrictions and Labour abstained. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on Johnson to spell out a plan to avoid a third shutdown which he described as potentially “very damaging” to peoples health.
Deputy Chair of the Covid Recovery Group, Steve Baker MP, protested vigorously against his Wycomb constituency being moved into Tier 3:
? I’m disappointed @MattHancock has put Wycombe into Tier 3.
? There is insufficient evidence showing this is a proportionate and effective response.
The harm of these restrictions will be plain but it’s not clear they’ll work or do more good than damage #LockdownsCostLives pic.twitter.com/DVnSZ1opgv
— Steve Baker MP (@SteveBakerHW) December 17, 2020
If Labour chooses to vote against a third lockdown it is hard to see how the plan will pass Parliament.
