Boris Johnson facing cross-party revolt over quarantine of airline passengers and Commons voting rules
Boris Johnson faced a double storm today as senior Tory MPs joined cross-party rebellions over quarantine and voting rules.
Ministers were forced to confirm the Evening Standard’s disclosure yesterday that Downing Street was considering concessions over moves to subject all airline passengers returning to the UK to two weeks of quarantine.
But rebel leader Henry Smith, Conservative MP for Crawley, signalled that the issue will be pushed to a Commons vote within weeks unless the concession, for a form of “air bridges” to countries deemed safe to travel between, was confirmed.
Housing minister Simon Clarke appeared stumped in a live TV interview when challenged on how police spot checks on people could work when the detailed rules showed people would be allowed out for shopping.
He also dealt a blow to struggling airlines by advising people planning their summer holidays to stay in the UK.
Former transport minister Stephen Hammond told Radio 4’s Today programme that air bridges would be a “sensible, targeted response” between low-risk countries. “I think the idea of air bridges is the right way forward,” he added.
Regulations being issued today were expected to reveal that quarantined passengers would be allowed to use public transport if necessary and to leave their addresses to go shopping.
Mr Clarke said the two-week quarantine period for new entrants to the UK will be enforced from June 8, despite some backbench opposition. He told BBC Breakfast: “This is a temporary, time-limited measure to make sure that we avoid that risk manifesting itself.
“As of Monday June 8 a two-week quarantine is in place for people coming into the UK from abroad and that needs to be understood very clearly.
“It will obviously depend on progress and we all want these restrictions to be lifted as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
On holidays, he told Sky: “Summer holidays abroad this year are going to be very, very difficult.”
A second major revolt was gathering steam against Jacob Rees-Mogg’s plan to make all MPs vote in person in the Commons, despite protests that it will disenfranchise dozens of vulnerable MPs forced to shield themselves due to illness or age. Critics said his plan would lead to a one-kilometre queue to vote in Commons divisions.
Tory MPs including Sir Bob Neill, Caroline Nokes, Tobias Ellwood, Simon Hoare and Julian Knight are among those who backed a cross-party amendment. MPs returned to Westminster this morning after a recess and the Government dropping virtual proceedings.
Mr Rees-Mogg, Leader of the Commons, has tabled a motion to prevent the resumption of the virtual voting that has allowed MPs to vote from home during the pandemic.
One former Tory cabinet minister told the Standard: “Not looking forward to the new world at Westminster. Thirty-minute divisions do not appeal.”
It was also reported that Mr Rees-Mogg was confronted by Tory colleagues at a meeting of the executive of the powerful 1922 Committee of backbenchers last night.
Former Tory cabinet minister Karen Bradley was leading the rebellion. The chair of the powerful procedure committee put forward amendments that would allow MPs unable to travel to Westminster to participate virtually.
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