Plymouth Labour MP supports Plan B

Tories seem most cross with the government

Labour’s Luke Pollard says he will back government plans for ‘Plan B’ measures to tackle the Omicron variant of covid when it comes to a vote in parliament next week. 

It comes as new rules come into force making face coverings compulsory in cinemas, theatres, places of worship, museums and indoor sport stadiums.  

Devon Conservative MPs Simon Jupp (East Devon), Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) and Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) have said they will not be supporting the new measures when parliament votes on Tuesday 14 December.

In a statement, Mr Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, is highly critical of prime minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the pandemic, but he suggests the tightening of rules may be necessary. 

“It’s clear to me that the prime minister brought forward the announcement about the new covid restrictions to try and cover up for his shambolic decisions to lie through his teeth about the Downing Street Christmas party,” he said.

“But we do need to take serious steps to protect ourselves because of increasing cases of the Omicron variants.

“Everyone should be double-jabbed, booking their booster, wearing a face mask and taking steps to look after – especially – the most vulnerable in our society. 

“This is a really important time where, if we take the right steps now, we can make a really big difference in saving lives.

“So despite the prime minister’s antics, we should listen to his words on covid and take steps to protect ourselves.”   

In September the government outlined ‘Plan B’ measures which are aimed at preventing the NHS from “coming under unsustainable pressure.”

The new rules go further than those indicated in September and include; 

Fresh guidance to work from home, wherever possible, from Monday
The introduction of covid passes for nightclubs, unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people, outdoor unseated venues with more than 4,000 and any venue with more than 10,000, including many football stadiums.
Making mask-wearing compulsory in most public indoor venues, including cinemas. But they are not required in hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants.
Daily testing for people seen as a contact of a coronavirus case – but with isolation only required for people who test positive.
Some Devon Conservative MPs are not supporting the measures, which may rely on Labour votes to get through the House of Commons next week.

Speaking on TalkRadio on Friday, Anthony Mangnall was adamant he doesn’t support the measures. 

“If you can get covid having been vaccinated, there’s absolutely no point having a vaccine passport. It’s a massive step back without evidence to prove its worth,” he said.  

The government plans to introduce the new rules due to the emergence of the covid variant – Omicron – which experts fear could be more infectious and less responsive to vaccines.