‘CONCERNED’ Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has rebelled against the Government by voting against new coronavirus restrictions.
Mr Pawsey said he was ‘unable’ to vote for the new ‘Plan B’ measures – which he described as ‘inconsistent’ – when they went before MPs on Tuesday (December 14).
He was among the 99 Conservatives who voted against their own party on Covid passes for large venues, 63 who rebelled over compulsory vaccinations for frontline NHS workers, and 38 who voted against wider mandatory mask wearing, which has already come into effect.
However, the new measures were voted through thanks to opposition support.
Mr Pawsey said: “I am concerned by the inconsistency of a message that says it is safe to attend an office party, but not to go into work. I do not believe that Parliament should introduce any new restrictions which are not fully understood by the public or which do not have widespread support.”
He also expressed worry about the impact on the hospitality sector, fearing customers might cancel bookings in the run up to Christmas.
He added: “I believe we should be careful about rushing into new restrictions at a time when assessments from both the US and EU are that the Omicron variant of Covid is less dangerous than those we have already experienced.
“I am hugely supportive of the advice to my constituents to receive two doses of the vaccine and a booster and continue to urge them to do so, but remain opposed in principle to proposals for mandatory vaccination or vaccine passports.”
