Boris Johnson was last night warned against imposing even more stringent coronavirus curbs ahead of a Commons showdown tomorrow.
More than 60 Tory backbenchers are poised to oppose the Plan B measures to counter the threat of the Omicron variant – the biggest rebellion of Mr Johnson’s premiership.
For large venues, proof of vaccinations or negative tests will be required. Today’s guidance on the return to work from home is also affected.
The Prime Minister will avoid an embarrassing defeat with the measures set to be voted through thanks to backing from Labour, but Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, and Maggie Throup, the Vaccines Minister, are said to have been scrambling to limit a rebellion that could involve dozens of Conservatives.
This comes at a time when several Parliamentary Private Secretaries are facing resignation threats. The Telegraph reported that a WhatsApp group consisting of 10 secretaries from the Parliament was created by the Telegraph for discussing how to vote on new measures.
The PPS group includes two ministerial aides to Communities Secretary Michael Gove, Danny Kruger (and Angela Richardson) – and three MPs. Joy Morrissey (Ministerial Assistant to Dominic Raab) and Mike Wood are two of the three ministerial advisers.
The Prime Minister is feared by MPs to put even tighter restrictions in place before Christmas. But officials are working on a Plan C that would see the return of “checking into” a pub, restaurant or bar, wearing masks inside all indoor spaces, and having to prove a current vaccination status at more locations.
More than 60 Tory backbenchers are poised to oppose the Plan B measures to counter the threat of the Omicron variant – the biggest rebellion of Mr Johnson’s premiership
After the UK had reported 1,239 additional confirmed Omicron cases, the UK Covid alert level has been raised to level 4.
Conservative party MP Danny Kruger, PPS to Michael Gove-is believed to have been part of a WhatsApp Group of Rebel PPS discussing new restrictions and how to vote
Tory MP Angela Richardson could also be thought to be part of the rebel PPS
Joy Morrissey is the PPS deputy prime minister and joined the PPS rebel group
Tory former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said last night he believed Plan B was a ‘stepping stone’ into another lockdown – and accused ministers of moving ‘without the facts’ on Omicron.
The proposals were criticized as ‘unnecessary and damaging’ by him. He added that further restrictions could ‘only amplify those effects’.
Conservative Peter Bone stated to the Daily Mail that vaccine passports are merely an identity card and don’t work.
“Testing” is the best way to prevent people from spreading Covid.
‘The problem is we are halfway between two things: the Government has done a bit by what they call Plan B – but in a way Plan B is a stepping stone to a lockdown. It is impossible to lock down again. “Schools cannot close again,” he stated.
Henry Smith, backbencher, stated that Plan B would be a “danger to civil liberties” and could’severely affect’ the economic recovery prospects. He added: ‘I think it is yet further distraction from other health conditions which require attention – such as the cancer backlog – and I don’t actually think (the restrictions) work.’
The proposals were criticized as ‘unnecessary and damaging’ by him. He added that further restrictions could ‘only amplify those effects’.
Conservative Peter Bone stated to the Daily Mail that vaccine passports are merely an identity card and don’t work.
“Testing” is the best way to prevent people from spreading Covid.
Steve Baker, rebel ringleader accused the Government creating a “miserable dystopia” and said that his party was moving towards authoritarianism.
Below is a map showing the 10 areas with the highest number of Omicron cases and suspicions in England. It was created by the UK Health Security Agency. Although West Northamptonshire, the nation’s most active area for this mutant strain is in London, eight of the ten other areas are located in the county.
These restrictions will make it mandatory to show proof of vaccination, or have a negative result for large venues. Today’s guidance on returning work from home (pictured) is also required.
Andrew Bridgen, Tory backbencher, slammed Plan B for being a ‘complete overreaction that is not supported science-based data.
I’m not voting to support Plan B. In fact, Plan A was not my vote. And I won’t be supporting further restrictions of liberty for British citizens.
Steve Baker, rebel leader and ringleader of the rebellion, accused the Government creating a miserable dystopia’ and suggested that his party was drifting towards authoritarianism.
Although he stated that at least 60 Tories would vote against Plan B, it was already a foregone conclusion. This is because the useless opposition will not stop supporting the government regardless of how authoritarian they may be.
Sky News’s He said that the disease would be around forever. There will be new versions, and that vaccine will continue to provide high levels of protection against severe illness and death. We just need to move on with our lives.
“We have to prove that there is a movement to support that mindset because the Conservative Party will drift further into authoritarianism if it doesn’t. I cannot sit by and watch that happen.”
Today’s Tory whips will continue to try and quell the rebellion. They engaged in a “massive round-robin” over the weekend.
Plan B, despite the size of the rebellion is likely to be passed as Labour will back the measures tomorrow.
Sir Keir Starmer said the party will vote with the Government – not to support the Prime Minister but the NHS.
Yesterday, Education Secretary Nadhim Zhawi said that the government isn’t introducing a vaccine passport.
The Andrew Marr Show on BBC Radio 4 said that this was not a vaccine passport. We ask that people attend these high-risk events and either take a free test for lateral flow or get vaccinated.
Johnson was also advised of the negative impact restrictions on hospitality. Clive Watson, chairman of the City Pub Group which operates almost 50 pubs in London and the South East, said: ‘Revenue could take a hit of around 30 per cent – it would be hugely damaging and without government support many businesses will be tipped over the edge.’
On Fridays, cinemas, theatres, and worship places made mask-wearing mandatory. Today, work from home guidance has returned.
For large venues, you will need to prove your vaccination status or have a negative result.
A Plan C is being prepared by officials. It would return the practice of “checking into” a restaurant or pub, the use of masks inside all indoor spaces, and the requirement to prove a current vaccination status in more locations.
Boris Johnson launched a massive push to get another jab in every 18-year-old by NEW YEAR’S DAY. PM begs for everyone’s support to “save our way to life” as he warned of an upcoming ‘tidal waves of Omicrons’
ByJack Madment, Mailonline’s Deputy Political Editor
Boris Johnson announced that he was speeding up UK’s coronavirus booster jab rollsout. He warned of a “tidal wave” Omicron threat.
This evening, the Prime Minister addressed the nation. He stated that he was moving forward with his January goal for all adults to receive a jab.
This means everyone 18 years old and older will be eligible to receive their booster prior to the new year. Mr Johnson encouraged people to “get boosted now”.
Johnson stated that the UK was facing an emergency with its battle against the new variant and that it must strengthen its vaccine protection wall to ensure the safety of loved ones and friends.
The PM said the data was now clear that two doses of the vaccine are ‘simply not enough to give the level of protection we all need’ but the ‘good news is that our scientists are confident that with a third dose – a booster dose – we can all bring our level of protection back up’.
Launching what he described as the ‘Omicron Emergency Boost’, Mr Johnson said that in order to deliver the necessary jabs by the end of the year ‘we’ll need to match the NHS’s best vaccination day yet – and then beat it day after day’.
According to him, this will be a “extraordinary effort” as some medical appointments may have to wait until 2022 to allow clinicians to give jabs.
Johnson stated that anyone over the age of 18 and who received a second dose at least three months prior to tomorrow’s date will be eligible for a vaccination.
According to the criteria, around 20million people may be eligible for boosters. To reach the PM’s target of ending the year at the end of the year, the rollout must administer about one million jabs each day.
On Wednesday, the official NHS Booking System will open to younger age groups. However, Johnson indicated that you could still walk in some areas from tomorrow.
The Prime Minister stated that vaccines are the best way to beat Covid, and it has worked over the last year in his speech
“The UK was first to offer a vaccine. We also had the most rapid rollouts in Europe. Yesterday, over half a million jabs were delivered.
These achievements were possible because of the incredible efforts of our NHS. Thousands of volunteers vaccinators and GPs have saved literally countless lives.
‘But I need to speak to you this evening because I’m afraid we’re now facing an emergency in our battle with the new variant Omicron and we must urgently reinforce our wall of vaccine protection to keep our friends and loved ones safe. ‘
Johnson revealed that 42 military planning groups will be deployed in every part of the UK, while more vaccine sites and mobile units are also being set up. Clinics will have extended hours and will now be open seven days per week.