On Friday I explained how deeply disappointed I was to discover that Rugby & Bulkington would be placed under Tier 3 restrictions when the second lockdown ends tomorrow, on 2nd December.
These measures are being debated today in Parliament and I have been listening very carefully to the speeches of my colleagues. I haven’t heard anything to cause me to change my view that Rugby & Bulkington are being treated harshly by being placed under tier 3 restrictions due to being grouped with Coventry and Solihull.
With the support of our local councils, local residents have worked incredibly hard to comply with restrictions since the start of the pandemic and had every expectation that they would be relaxed this week rather than tightened.
I am acutely aware of the significant impact on businesses due to the measures taken to fight the virus. I’m pleased that non-essential retail and gyms will re-open tomorrow, but our pubs, bars and restaurants should be able to do the same. They have already demonstrated that they can comply with social distancing requirements and keep their customers safe, and the data shows that these venues have low levels of transmission of the virus.
Accordingly, I will not be supporting the Government this evening.
