Bexhill and Battle MP votes against new Covid tier restrictions

The four-week national lockdown ended this morning but a number of parts in the country are facing stricter rules than before.

East Sussex has been placed in Tier 2, which means no household mixing indoors (outside support bubbles), the rule of six applying outdoors, pubs and restaurants closing at 11pm, businesses can only serve alcohol with substantial meals, while many other businesses and other venues can operate in a Covid-secure manner.

The new system was approved by MPs by 291 votes to 78 last night (Tuesday December 1).

But 55 Tories voted against the government, including Bexhill and Battle’s Huw Merriman.

Speaking in the debate he described wanting to protect people from getting Covid and help the NHS care for those who do get it, but was also looking at the damage that could be caused to the life chances, livelihoods and life expectancy of constituents.

He said this ‘drives me to ask serious questions of continuing along the path to where these measures will lead’.

Mr Merriman pointed out how East Sussex has had very low Covid rates this year compared to other parts of the country, and while it did see an increase in November the rates were down in the last week by 26 per cent.

Latest figures showed there are 37 Covid in-patients across the county’s hospitals, with both fewer general and elective surgery admissions.

He added: “I do not doubt that the situation for those working in hospitals is very challenging; I thank them, I have the utmost respect for them, and I have admiration for all who work in the NHS, but I do believe the evidence shows they are currently able to cope.”

Mr Merriman concluded: “Then we come to the question of whether we have properly assessed which path is the least destructive. I have read the Government’s health, economic and social impact assessment, and among other worrying patterns it describes one million more people being unemployed by June 2021, state secondary school attendance at 78 per cent, and, in September, non-emergency hospital admissions at 30 per cent below pre-Covid levels.

“The Government’s assessment does not tell us what the cost of this will be. It must, however, mean an increased risk to the people of this country from poverty; from death as a result of cancer, which already accounts for 165,000 deaths a year; from suicide, which is the biggest killer for those under 50; from poor mental health and loneliness; from failed life chances for our young people; and from domestic abuse.

“As I said, neither is a path that we want to follow; either will lead to tragedy and sadness, but I believe there is more danger in following this path than alternative approaches, so I will vote against these measures this evening.”

Hastings and Rye MP Sally-Ann Hart voted with the government.