Boris Johnson set to publish economic impact papers over lockdown to attempt to assure Tory MPs
Boris Johnson (centre) in the House of Commons with Michael Gove and Jacob Rees-Mogg. Photograph: Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/PA Wire. - Credit: PA
Boris Johnson is set to publish economic impact papers related to the coronavirus lockdown in a bid to attempt to assure Tory MPs.
The prime minister will publish an impact assessment of the restrictions ahead of a crunch Commons vote on Tuesday in an attempt to win over would-be rebels.
Scores of Tory MPs have spoken out against the new system in England, which the government wants to bring into force on Wednesday when the national lockdown ends.
But despite offering them another chance to vote on the restrictions early next year – meaning the measures could lapse on February 3 – several said they still have reservations.
Labour is not expected to oppose the measures, meaning Johnson should get them through parliament, but being forced to rely on decisions being made by Sir Keir Starmer will be uncomfortable for the prime minister.
You may also want to watch:
Environment secretary George Eustice told Sky News that chief whip Mark Spencer would be trying to win round Tory MPs ahead of the vote.
“I’ve seen suggestions that there could be up to 100 or so people that have got concerns,” Eustice said.
Most Read
- 1 This chumocracy is costing our country
- 2 Nigel Farage loses nearly 50,000 followers after Twitter suspends QAnon accounts
- 3 Fifteen ways to fix Britain
- 4 Michel Barnier tells UK to be 'very careful' in Brexit diplomatic status row
- 5 Bob Geldof takes swipe at No 10 saying 'lying is second nature' to them
- 6 Independent SAGE adviser gives scathing assessment of Priti Patel's £800 Covid fines
- 7 Jacob Rees-Mogg says it's 'all the EU's fault' musicians can't tour Europe
- 8 George Osborne hopes for Brexit dividend
- 9 Tory minister admits UK rejected EU's music visa offer in order to 'take back control' of borders
- 10 Holyrood in talks with EU to extend Erasmus scheme to Scottish students
That meant “it will depend on what the Labour Party choose to do” but during a “national emergency” it would not be right to “play political games”.
Conservative MP Peter Bone said he was “undecided” and would make his mind up after seeing the impact assessment.
“The dilemma I have is do we do more damage by the tiered system of lockdown, or do we do less," he told the PA News Agency.
Another senior Tory backbencher said that his vote was “still in the balance” as he urged Johnson to provide analysis of how the tier restrictions will affect businesses, saying he did not have confidence that the government was really considering their needs.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
