The main topic of the mailbag in the last week has been the backlash against renewal of the Coronavirus emergency powers Act. I understand why many people want to question why the continued lockdown regulations are needed and apart from the small minority of Coronavirus deniers and conspiracy theorists those concerns are legitimate.
When the legislation was first passed it was done so as an emergency short term response to the looming pandemic, but 6 months on there has been time for more detailed explanation and greater scrutiny. I put it to the Prime Minister last week that if the Government gave clearer accounts of why specific restrictions are required and the impact they are having, together with better enforcement against those who don’t give a damn, then most people would understand the need for the continued sacrifices and comply. More ‘I need to level with you folks’ moments from the PM as he himself put it.
That is why I have signed the so-called ‘Brady Amendment’ to subject the legislation to more debates and votes in Parliament. As I write hopefully the Government has seen the writing on the wall and will make concessions ahead of a vote. The more scrutiny we can have on restrictions hopefully the more likely it is that we can avoid some of the apparent inconsistencies and about-turns that we have seen and the public will have more confidence that we are on the right track.
Just to add to my ‘Yours Disgusted of East Worthing’ mailbag the Times ran a rather unhelpful story on Monday claiming that all the bars in Parliament would not need to follow the 10pm closure rules for pubs. That is technically true as Parliament is owned by the Queen and qualifies as a Royal Palace which is therefore exempt from most rules. That turned out to be a disadvantage some years ago when rats were found in the House of Lords kitchens but because Parliament was not bound by health and safety they didn’t have to close. Fortunately, they were eventually refurbished.
The truth is that the Commons bars were closed altogether in March so being able to stay open to 10pm would be a bonus. The Speaker has already announced in any case that any bars reopening will observe the 10pm ruling just as we brought in a smoking ban many years ago and other licencing regulations have been followed in Parliament. However, poorly researched stories about MPs and drink always make for good copy in the tabloids usually and we always get the blame. Another occupational hazard I have learnt to live with over the years.
