West Sussex MPs vote against second lockdown
Tim Loughton and Henry Smith both chose not to back the restrictions
Two West Sussex MPs have joined Tory colleagues in voting against a second coronavirus lockdown in England.
Tim Loughton, who represents East Worthing and Shoreham, and Crawley MP Henry Smith were among 32 Conservatives which went against the plans, which come into effect on Thursday (November 5th).
A third West Sussex MP, Horsham's Jeremy Quin, is registered as not voting in the debate on Wednesday, in which the motion passed by 516 votes to 38.
Mr Loughton said on Twitter that his decision was made 'reluctantly', and that he had concluded that a national lockdown was 'disproportionate and the case for it has not been proven'.
Speaking in the House of Commons debate prior to Wednesday's vote, he called for an economic audit of the effects lockdown would have on small businesses forced to close their premises and have staff work from home.
He also took a swipe at projections from Government scientific advisers which predicted around 4,000 lives would be lost to the virus daily at the height of the second wave.
"I know the Government has a very difficult balance to take - a judgement call to make based on the clinical advice, what the economy is saying and what the people are saying - what is sustainable for their compliance.
"Let's be clear, there is no risk-free option, it's all about a balance and management of risk.
"The advice from clinical experts, I'm afraid, is too often confusing and contradictory. Why is SAGE using predictions of 4,000 fatalities a day, as my Right Honourable Friend from Maidenhead (Theresa May) has said, but the actual figure turns up to be 1,000 at most?
"Why can projections just a couple of weeks or 10 days ago turn out to be so wrong that they have to be revised so sharply?
"Is not the problem we seem to be conflating scenarios with forecasts too often? Where is the clarity over how many of these deaths might reasonably expected to have been seasonal flu deaths if Covid was not a thing?"
Worthing West MP and Father of the House Sir Peter Bottomley, who voted in favour of the motion, also spoke during the debate.
He called for less stringent rules on organised sport during lockdown, which has seen all grassroots outdoor activity forced to stop for four weeks during lockdown.
Sir Peter also stressed the need for greater financial support for those not covered by the furlough scheme, which has now been extended to December:
"What is the compensation going to be to those affected, to those who aren't getting support?
"The people in the events industry, whether music, performance or the like. The people in the freelance sector, which has been a growing part of our economy for the last 20 years, who seem to have been hung out to dry.
"And for those who've started new businesses - because we know four out or five businesses don't last - those who've started new businesses in the last year or so seem to be excluded.
"I believe we have a duty to do more for those people - the excluded should be included."