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Boris Johnson will insist tomorrow that the national lockdown in England will end on December 2, despite the fact that a member of his cabinet indicated that the new measures could be extended beyond that date.
A growing number of senior Conservative MPs have signaled their opposition to the measures that take effect on Thursday, while Labor has said that the prime minister’s failure to act earlier will cost him lives and cause further damage to the economy.
In a statement to MPs, Johnson will say there is “no alternative” to a second national lockdown in England, but will defend his decision to opt for the regional tier system in October.
The prime minister will deliver a speech on Monday
He will also seek to reassure concerned conservative advocates that it remains his intention to ease restrictions on Dec. 2, after Michael Gove previously told Sky’s Sophy Ridge that the shutdown could be extended beyond that date.
The prime minister is expected to say: “At the end of four weeks, on Wednesday December 2, we will seek to ease restrictions, reverting to the tiered system at local and regional level according to the latest data and trends.”
Explaining why the lockdown is now necessary, he will say: “Our scientists’ models suggest that unless we act now, we could see deaths during the winter that are twice as bad or more as compared to the first wave.”
“Faced with these latest figures, there is no choice but to undertake more actions at the national level.”
Johnson will also argue that he was right in opting for a regional approach, rather than introducing a national “circuit breaker” lockout last month, as his scientific advisers had recommended.
“I know that some in the House believe that we should have made this decision earlier, but I think it was right to try all possible options to control this virus at the local level, with strong local action and strong local leadership,” said the prime minister. . the minister is expected to say.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer previously rejected that argument, telling Sky News that the delay had been “costly.”
“Three weeks ago we asked for a circuit break to coincide with the medium term, so there has been a delay that has been costly, but these measures are necessary and we will vote in favor of them,” he said.
Labor support for the new measures means there is little chance that the government will not pass the proposals when MPs vote on Wednesday, but influential Conservative supporters are voicing their opposition to the plans.
Former party leader Iain Duncan Smith described the new national blockade as a “blow to the body for the British people.”
The measure will be taken to parliament.
Former Cabinet Minister David Davis told Sky News that he was determined to ensure that the government allows MPs a significant role in determining how long the lockdown should be allowed to continue.
“What I want is a modifiable motion, that keeps the parliament informed and that on December 2 he gives us his opinion on whether we continue with this. Really what I want to do is create a very strong parliamentary pressure on the government to achieve the exit. At the moment he has not delivered the exit and has to deliver the exit, “Davis said.
The chairman of the 1922 Supporting Conservative Committee, Sir Graham Brady, told BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour that he was very likely to vote against the proposals, saying he wanted an “absolute guarantee” that more opportunities will be offered to the deputies to vote on the duration of the proposals. the lock would be in place.
Former Labor and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey has also said she will vote against the new lockdown measures. In a post on social media, he wrote that “the closure cure is causing more damage than COVID.”
