Local MPs rebel against government, opposing second lockdown

THE three local MPs voted against the government this afternoon (Wednesday) to oppose a second lockdown in England.

Sir Desmond Swayne, Sir Christopher Chope and Julian Lewis were among 38 MPs who voted against shutting the country down from tomorrow until 2nd December. It was approved after 516 MPs backed the move in the House of Commons.

New Forest East’s Dr Lewis, currently an Independent MP, told the A&T: “It is a very indiscriminate reaction to a disease which varies hugely between different areas and age groups.

“The fact that the ‘4,000 deaths a day’ prediction was based on outdated information has been the final straw.

“The government seems determined to listen only to one group of scientists whilst ignoring others – equally qualified who offer alternative points of view.”

Yesterday Sir Desmond posted on Twitter: “The Prime Minister was right first time, a second national lockdown is a disaster.”

When the New Forest West MP was asked by the A&T to comment he instead pointed to his latest online blog in which he claimed the number of deaths in the UK was “consistent” with the long-term average, which undermined claims there was a “deadly pandemic” on the loose.

“I conclude the pandemic ended in the summer and the increase in cases arises from the testing of healthy people on an industrial scale, using a methodology that throws up false positives,” he said.

His Liberal Democrat challenger at the 2019 general election, Cllr Jack Davies, called the MP a “dangerous buffoon” and accused him of “putting lives at risk” with “false information”.

Also voting against the lockdown was Sir Chris who said in the Commons last week: “I have said it before and I say it again: lockdowns, whether they are partial or total, are the wrong strategy. They are oppressive and profoundly unconservative.”