Leader of the Liberal Democrats has slammed the Government for failing to build a plan
to “bring the virus under control and keep people safe” and
warned that Ministers must address growing concerns before his
Party can vote for the new system.
In a letter to the Prime Minister ahead of the vote on the new
measures in Parliament, the Liberal Democrat leader made clear
that “without the assurances the public need” the Liberal
Democrats “cannot in all conscience vote for this plan.”
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Prime Minister to first
address a series of concerns before the Party’s MPs will vote for
a new system. They include
- Full release of the scientific evidence underpinning the tier
system, including economic and health impact assessments.
- An ongoing commitment that tier decisions and local rules
will be made in partnership with local authorities, and subject
to Parliamentary scrutiny.
- A new approach to the failed test, trace and isolate system
that partners properly with local authorities on tracing, and
provides proper incentives for people to isolate, to keep people
safe and prevent new surges
- Urgent financial support for pubs, including removing the
requirement for alcohol sales to be accompanied by a substantial
meal in outdoor areas.
- A clearer exit route from tiering with a comprehensive
strategy to roll out a vaccine.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats said:
“As it stands, we cannot in all conscience vote for this unsafe
plan. The Government has failed once again to put together a plan
to bring the virus under control and keep people safe.
“The new tier system is arbitrary, confused and chaotic and the
Government has failed yet again to deliver the test, trace and
isolate strategy to beat this virus and end this pandemic.
“Boris Johnson’s incompetence is now clear for all to see - with
his failure to engage local authorities, failure to explain the
criteria for the tiers and failure to communicate with the public
and keep our trust.
“What the country needs is a transparent system of local
restrictions, an exit plan with a comprehensive strategy to roll
out vaccines and a test, trace and isolate system that works.
“Time and time again, the Government has squandered the
sacrifices the British people have made through Ministers’
unbelievable incompetence.”
ENDS.
Notes to editors:
Please see Ed Davey’s letter to the Prime Minister below.
Dear Prime Minister,
The country is desperate to get life back to normal, particularly
given how much has already been sacrificed.
For months, Liberal Democrats have been urging the Government to
get to grips with test, trace and isolate and deliver what has
been continually promised. Getting that right is the best hope we
have until a vaccine is ready, but Ministers have been far too
slow to ramp up testing, have failed to work properly and
consistently with local authorities on tracing and have been
utterly lamentable in implementing a workable scheme to encourage
people to isolate.
Moreover, given less than 50% of people understood the rules last
time, it is clear you and your Ministers have again failed to put
together a plan to bring the virus under control and keep people
safe.
The new tier system that you are putting before Parliament is
arbitrary, confused and chaotic. It has been created without
proper engagement with local authorities while the criteria for
the tiers has lost the trust of the country.
For the Liberal Democrats to continue to support Government
restrictions - as up till now we have throughout the pandemic -
we need to see:-
- Full release of the scientific evidence underpinning the tier
system, including economic and health impact assessments.
- An ongoing commitment that tier decisions and local rules
will be made in partnership with local authorities, and subject
to Parliamentary scrutiny.
- A new approach to the failed test, trace and isolate system,
that partners properly with local authorities on tracing, and
provides proper incentives for people to isolate, to keep people
safe and prevent new surges
- Urgent financial support for pubs, including removing the
requirement for alcohol sales to be accompanied by a substantial
meal in outdoor areas.
- A clearer exit route from tiering with a comprehensive
strategy to roll out a vaccine.
I look forward to your response.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
