Atherstone's MP to vote against latest Government Covid-19 regulations

In a statement on Facebook this afternoon, MP for North Warwickshire Craig Tracey has said that he will not back the UK Government's proposal over new tiered restrictions following the end of the second national lockdown tomorrow.

Despite being in Tier One - 'Medium Risk' - before the November lockdown, Atherstone was placed into Tier Three last week, as a decision was made uniformly across Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull.

Speaking in the House of Commons today (Tuesday, December 1) Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked MPs to back the Governments latest Covid-19 restrictions.

In response, Mr Tracey criticised the Government, saying that it should have allowed MPs the ability to vote with an "evidence based approach," but instead "we have no breakdown of impact by region or by sector.

"There is no assessment of economic restrictions or their health impact but it does indicate that there are significant Non Covid health costs of the restrictions."

Mr Tracey also questioned the fact that Atherstone and Warwickshire are now being considered alongside Solihull and Coventry, which was not the case in October.

"The introduction of a model that links us with Solihull is baffling, particularly when we have no obvious links with them on either a regional NHS basis or local authority basis."

A need to strike a balance between the impact of new measures and their actual effectiveness was also mentioned.

"I also have no basis to say the measures will save more lives than it costs and that equal regard has been given to other non-Covid illnesses. What I can say is that part of my discussions have been with local healthcare providers who have confirmed that they are coping fine and that admission levels have flattened.

The effects being felt in the health sector as well as the local economy, which he stated was not receiving enough support "The support only goes so far and doesn't compensate for loss of profits or loss of customer due to finding either alternatives or changing habits.

"This is particularly felt by the hospitality industry, who during December on average take around 25% of their annual profits."

Mr Tracey concluded by saying "It is taking all of these point in to account that I am unable to support the Government tonight as I genuinely believe that they will be more detrimental to our local area than could have been implemented by adopting a more regionalised, evidence based approached."

Conservative MPs in the county have similarly indicated that they will vote against the proposal, with MP for Kenilworth and Southam saying that he would be voting against the Government for the first time in ten years tonight.

MPs will vote on the restrictions later today; it is anticipated that the Government's proposal will be passed.

The next review of the tiers will come on December 16, and the next parliamentary vote in late January.

Mr Tracey's statement can be read in full here.