Devon's MPs' mixed response to unlocking delay

Bradshaw and Morris in unusual alignment

Devon MPs and political leaders are split over the government’s decision to delay ‘freedom day’ and push back step four of the roadmap for four weeks.

Prime minister Boris Johnson on Monday announced the final easing of lockdown restrictions would be halted.

He announced a new July 19 ‘terminus date’ for all restrictions on social contact to be lifted, barring the emergence of a game-changing new variant, although there is a scenario in two weeks’ time when if the data is better than expected, restrictions could be lifted earlier.

The announcement means that social distancing guidance will remain in place, as will the guidance to work from home, while the ‘rule of six’ indoors and the ‘rule of 30’ outdoors continues. The reopening of nightclubs will be postponed, but an exemption was made for wedding ceremonies, although venues still have to adhere to social distancing rules.

Anne Marie Morris, Conservative MP for Newton Abbot, said: ‘Like many of you, I am very much against this decision and am worried about a further delay post July 19."

She said: “We, quite rightly, understand that the reality is that we will have to live with covid-19 in various forms and any attempt at a ‘zero covid’ strategy is both impossible and unworkable. Despite this, the government appears to be determined to pursue a lockdown policy that is likely to drag on for the foreseeable future. After all, what happens if 4 weeks becomes another extension and then another extension, just because another variant has flared up? We cannot afford to keep running scared from these variants, we need to manage them when they inevitably arrive.

She added: “If we are to continue to be locked down for another month then the government must put in place a support package to help those who still cannot re-open and those who have received no support for the last 18 months.

Ben Bradshaw, Labour MP for Exeter, said that he would have to carefully study the proposals, but that he would be unlikely to support the extension of restrictions when they go to a vote in the House of Commons later this week.

He said: “We are paying a very heavy price for Boris Johnson’s failure to put India on the red list when he should have done because he was prioritising an illusory post Brexit trade deal with India. That means that, in spite of being ahead on vaccines, we are now to be subject to much tighter restrictions than the rest of Europe and America – who are opening up and where life is returning to normal.

“Thousands more job losses can now be expected in the hospitality, culture and travel industries – just when they should be on the road to recovery. I will study the government’s proposals when they are made but I very much doubt that I will be able to support the extension of the government’s draconian curbs on our basic freedoms, which will cause such economic misery.”

But Sir Gary Streeter, Tory MP for South West Devon, backed the delay in moving to step four. He said: “It seems that it is prudent to delay the final release to enable more people to be vaccinated.

“I urge everyone who is entitled to get a jab to come forward and do so and then by mid-July we can see a full release of the lockdown and start to claw our way back to the new normality that awaits us.”

Neil Parish, Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton, said: “I am disappointed that a full unlocking cannot go ahead on 21 June, but I do accept the need to delay. The Delta variant has meant that the prime minister has had no choice but to be cautious. However, even a short delay will have an adverse impact on certain sectors, especially the hospitality industry, and so I will be seeking further support from the government to help businesses through the additional period of restrictions.”

Selaine Saxby, Conservative MP for North Devon, said: “As expected, the prime minister has announced a delay to the final stage of the roadmap by at least two weeks, given the current data nationally. I recognise how hard this is for so many local businesses, many have already been in touch and I know it is particularly difficult in our regions, where our cases remain so low, thanks to the steps taken by these businesses and residents alike to follow the rules.