Covid live news: Keir Starmer says Boris Johnson appears to have broken law over No 10 Christmas quiz

New “plan b” Covid restrictions are expected to become law in England after Labour leader Keir Starmer confirmed that his party will be supporting Boris Johnson’s government in Tuesday’s vote.

But the prime minister could face the largest rebellion of his premiership, with more than 60 Conservative MPs expected to be against the new restrictions.

Among them is Matt Vickers, the Conservative MP for Stockton South, who today said he will be voting against the government.

Vickers, who is one of the 2019 intake representing a so-called former Labour “red wall” constituency, told Times Radio:


I do not believe we should be going down the plan b route. We talked about learning to live with it, we promised people they will get these boosters in their arms and the world will come back to normal, kids will be able to go to school properly without masks on, we promised them the economy would be free, we’d be free to get things going, and that’s exactly what we need to do.

Asked whether he would be voting for plan b measures, he said: “I am not, no. You’ve heard it here first.”

Asked how many might be joining him, he said: “I wouldn’t like to guess the number. In real terms, it is not a vote we’re probably likely to overturn the Government on anyway, so I think the numbers might be irrelevant – it is about people doing what they think is right.”

Starmer told the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show earlier today that he will vote with the government, but that he will do so in support of the NHS rather than the prime minister.

He said: “If you look at the science in relation to Omicron, the new variant, there is a real concern that we could be in a situation where the number of cases is doubling in a shorter period of two days. Now, I understand people say that that hasn’t led to higher hospitalisations and deaths yet, but the sheer volume of cases is very, very worrying.”

He added: “So, I’m not supporting the prime minister on Tuesday, I’m supporting our NHS, and I’m supporting the public in relation to this pandemic.”

source: theguardian.com