World News – UK – New stricter lockdown level rules set to start the Tory Uprising

Boris Johnson faces a rebellion from dozens of his own backers over plans to put England back into a tiered system when national restrictions end December

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Dozens of Tory MPs could rebel against Boris Johnson’s plans for a return to tiered restrictions once England’s national lockdown is lifted.

The Prime Minister is expected to tell MPs on Monday that the four-week lockdown is scheduled to end on Jan.. December ends and new, harder levels will be added before Christmas.

But he’s facing a Tory revolt over the proposals that threaten backbench Covid Recovery Group (CRG) members to oppose new restrictions on a commons vote.

Around 70 Conservative MPs and 14 colleagues signed a letter to the government over the weekend in which they criticized the introduction of new rules.

Ex-Minister Steve Baker, a leader in the group, said members had been « reassured » by government news that non-essential retail stores, places of worship and gyms might be reopening – but warned some MPs are still could rebel.

He told the Today program, « It is still the case that if there are restrictions, we still want to be sure they are affecting the slowdown in the transmission of Covid and we want to know what whatever is suggested. « save more lives than they cost. « 

Mr Baker said the back benches were still ready to rebel unless they were reassured by the Prime Minister on areas such as civil liberties.

« I think we need to hear what the prime minister says before we decide how to vote, » he said.

Influential backbencher Charles Walker of the 1922 committee found the letter « too moderate » to sign, Baker claimed.

A revolt by his own backers would be embarrassing for the Prime Minister, who has to rely on Labor votes to get the plan across the line.

Mr Johnson will video link a Commons statement Monday afternoon that he is self-isolating on Downing Street.

The new system is expected to be tougher than before, with pubs and other eateries being hardest hit.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who fought with the government over tighter restrictions on his area, expressed concern that the hospitality sector would be disproportionately affected.

« I’m worried about what I’m hearing this morning. It seems that a tightened Tier 3 could be devastating for the hotel industry and hit cities and the urban economy very, very hard, « he said.

« You seem to go too far before Christmas to allow too much over Christmas and that will result in a huge loss to hospitality businesses, which I think is too high a price to pay. « .

« The closure of all hospitality businesses in Tier 3 areas – that will be large parts of the north – will be devastating for many of these businesses. You won’t survive this. « 

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was « very happy » that the number of cases across the UK was starting to decline, which would allow an end to the national lockdown in England.

He praised the news that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was 70% effective, but said the restrictions must remain in place until shock is proven safe and can be widely used.

« We know this virus can accelerate very quickly if no action is taken. It is so important that the existing measures continue until the vaccine makes us safe, « he said today.

« I am very pleased to see in the data that the number of cases across the UK is starting to decline significantly. That’s good news.

« Therefore, in England, if the lockdown measures on Sept.. End December, be sure they can be replaced with a tiered system, but the top tier has to be tougher than the previous top tier because before that it managed to smooth the curve but not let it fall. « 

The Prime Minister will announce mass testing of all areas forced to the highest level, as well as plans to retest the close contacts of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 to prevent them from having to isolate themselves.

Lockdown, Boris Johnson, Steve Baker