How our MPs voted in lockdown debate

Eastbourne and Willingdon MP Caroline Ansell and Wealden member Nus Ghani both voted with the government for the lockdown but Huw Merriman, the MP for Pevensey and Westham and Herstmonceux voted against.

Mr Merriman – one of 38 MPs to vote against the new restrictions which come into force today (Thursday) – said he had not received evidence to show the number of lives saved by the measures would outweigh the amount of people who would be adveresely affected them, who might experience mental health problems or lose their jobs.

On Wednesday (November 4), MPs voted to pass English lockdown regulations by 516 votes to 38.

Speaking in the Commons ahead of that vote, Mr Merriman said, “When looking at this issue, I look at the evidence and ask myself three questions. Can our local NHS cope? Have we assessed properly the impact of the regional lockdown? And which path will be the least destructive to the health and wellbeing of the constituents that sent me here to serve them?

“When it comes to the local NHS, the figures today show we have 24 Covid in-patients being treated by East Sussex county hospitals. Not one of them is in a high dependency unit. The NHS system in East Sussex coped fantastically and has learnt lessons.

“When looking at the evidence of the regional lockdown, I just do not believe we have given it significant time to properly tell us whether it is working or not. We should have given more time to regional lockdowns before we shut down other parts of the country where Covid rates, as they are in East Sussex, were low.

“I have asked for evidence to show that the destruction and damage caused to peoples’ lives, their livelihoods will actually be worse off if we do not take these measures and this evidence has not been provided to me.”

Despite warning a second lockdown would be catastrophic for Eastbourne hospitality and tourism sector, Caroline Ansell voted in favour of it.

She said, “I did this to protect the NHS and to protect vulnerable and older people in Eastbourne and Willingdon, even though I have grave concerns about the damage it will do to our town’s economy.

“However, I believe, on balance, it was the only option because today we recorded the highest national covid death total since May and with winter coming, we had to act.

“I have also been told this week that infection rates in Eastbourne have risen quite dramatically. Just a few weeks ago, it was around 20 per 100,000 people but now it is more than 100 infections per 100,000 with evidence of community transmission occurring too.

“This means we still have a much lower infection rate than other parts of the country and I remain confident the lockdown will lower it.

“Moving forward, I will press the government for Eastbourne to promptly move out of lockdown and back to the tier approach after December 2 so something of the Christmas season can be saved. Our attractions, shops, hotels and bars and restaurants did so much to become Covid secure and to bounce back from the first lockdown.

“Every sinew now needs to be stretched to get test and trace responding quickly so we can identify local infection spikes much earlier. This is the way to go back to some form of normal and to avoid any further lockdowns, especially while a vaccine is not with us.

“I know what will happen over the next four week is an enormous ask of everyone. I am fearful for those who will suffer with their mental health and loneliness and for those worried about their jobs and businesses.

“I would like to express my gratitude for what everyone is doing and for those who continue to volunteer, to work on the health frontline, in essential jobs and services and in our schools which thankfully do remain open.”