Stamford and Bourne MP Gareth Davies explains decision to vote for tier system

Stamford and Bourne's MP has explained why he decided to support the Government's proposal for the tier system.

The new system, which was implemented today (December 2), has caused much controversy in the area as Stamford and Bourne fell into tier 3 despite the number of cases being below national average.

However, Gareth Davies MP defended his decision to support the plans after he and fellow Conservative Sir John Hayes (South Holland and the Deepings) received assurance that the Government would take into account that areas of South Lincolnshire have low case numbers at the next review.

Mr Davies said: "Sir John Hayes and I particularly, with Sir Edward Leigh MP, have been working hard over the past few days to say to the Government that South Lincolnshire should be assessed on more of a localised basis as we know people in Stamford travel to Peterborough, Rutland and Norfolk.

"People rarely travel to the north, where rates are much higher."

Mr Davies acknowledged that people 'are frustrated' and that he is also 'profoundly disappointed' the constituency fell into tier 3.

However, his vote for the tier system was only secured after receiving the official letter of assurance from Matt Hancock.

The MP said: "Both John Hayes and I made it clear the assurance we ended up receiving was what our vote was dependent on.

"That's ultimately why we ended up supporting the Government."

However, there has been no promise from the Government that Lincolnshire will be split at the next review on December 16. Matt Hancock has also expressed that the decision will be influenced by the figures at the time.

"I speak with our businesses regularly and represent their views constantly," said Mr Davies. "I have been doing nothing else.

"Throughout this crisis my small team and I have been working around the clock to help businesses and employees across the constituency."

Despite tier 3 being the highest level of the new restrictions, many businesses have been able to reopen which were previously forced to close during the national lockdown.

Gyms, hairdressers, non-essential shops and beauty salons can all open under the new restrictions, however the hospitality industry is not yet able to welcome back customers.

"We've been in a national lockdown since November 5 and most businesses had to temporarily close," said Mr Davies.

"There have been pretty strict restrictions. In our area most of us wanted to move away from national lockdown to one that is tiered with reduced restrictions so that our shops could reopen.

"That has happened today and because the vote went through it has enabled the country to move on from the national lockdown."

While Mr Davies recognised that South Kesteven, and South Holland and the Deepings has a much lower infection rate, he has 'got to see both sides of the argument'.

He said: "Some worry about the number of people who have contracted [coronavirus], people are concerned about the 58,000 deaths that have occurred in the country.

"They accept we have to get the virus under control but there is light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine.

"We have also got a correspondence of people as frustrated as I am."

Mr Davies has welcomed news this morning that the UK is the first country in the world to approve the use of a Covid vaccination.

He said: "I am delighted that with the vaccine passing the most stringent testing, our hard work is paying off.

"We can now begin to look to brighter days ahead and critically, get our local economy going.

"That we achieved this research and testing within months is testament to Britain’s ingenuity, innovation and determination.

"This puts our country on the map as the first country in the world to approve an effective vaccine for use and that is something we should all be very proud of.”