Last week saw the vote in Parliament to end the English national lockdown and move into a tiered system of restrictions. Deciding how to vote on these proposals was not an easy decision. On the one hand, the virus is still in our communities and our local acute hospital, the Royal Stoke, is under significant pressure with much higher levels of staff absence than many other hospitals around the country. However, I have read the many messages from local businesses who are in real danger of failing unless the economy reopens soon, and the many constituents who are suffering personally and missing their loved ones.
There is no easy answer and whichever way I chose to use my vote would cause anguish to some.
I accept that we need to have some restrictions to help to contain the virus. I am also working to get support for the Royal Stoke to release the pressures it faces. However, I could not accept the way that the Government was proposing to place restrictions on us all, without local consultation and in a regional way. On the basis that I could not accept the motion as put forward, but I also accept the need for some restrictions, I chose to abstain.
On Tuesday, I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on the Government’s levelling-up agenda and post covid-19 economic recovery.
I was pleased to be able to make sure that ministers are aware of the concerns of my constituents including the many hospitality businesses and especially pubs who want to be able to work and trade and I urged the Government to think about how to support them. I will be holding calls with many hospitality and tourism businesses in the next couple of weeks.
Please do see my website for the full speech.
