The decision to place the Buckingham constituency into tier 3 is deeply disappointing. I lobbied hard against this with both the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary. It is particularly galling given the commitments made to me only two weeks ago about a more granular approach and looking at the constituency separately from the rest of Buckinghamshire.
I cannot look a single one of my constituents in the eye and say that I believe these measures are reasonable or proportionate to the place we find ourselves across the Buckingham constituency with respect to Covid-19.
Tier 3 means devastation for our pubs, restaurants and their supply chains. Businesses built up over decades who have spent thousands each (which most didn’t really have) to become Covid-secure. Only to be shut down. Countless other businesses edging closer to the brink, if they have not already crossed it and taken the painful decision to cease trading. A mental health crisis which will be with us for decades to come as the scarring of these lockdowns and deprivation of liberty takes its toll.
Lobbying for a direct return to tier 1 for the communities across the Buckingham constituency will be my priority for the coming days and weeks.
