UK PM Johnson faces virus pass rebellion
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Almost 100 Conservative MPs have voted against new coronavirus restrictions, dealing a major blow to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s authority and raising questions about his leadership.
After a day of frenzied lobbying, Johnson was handed the biggest rebellion against his government so far by his party over measures he said were necessary to curb the spread of the new Omicron variant.
The new rules, which include ordering people to wear masks in public places and COVID-19 passes for some venues, passed thanks largely to the main opposition Labour Party.
But the revolt piles pressure on Johnson, already under fire over scandals such as reported parties in his Downing Street office last year – when Britain was in a COVID-19 lockdown – and a pricey refurbishment of his apartment.
Rebelling MPs said the vote was a warning shot that he needed to change how the government was operating – or face a leadership challenge.
Some 99 Conservatives opposed plans for the COVID passes, a much higher number of rebels than was expected. The official figure was originally put at 98, but the number was later revised.
Many Conservatives say some of the new measures are draconian, with several questioning the introduction of a certificate of vaccination – or proof of a negative COVID-19 test – to enter some venues, such as nightclubs.
Others used the vote as an opportunity to vent their anger at Johnson, believing the man who helped the Conservatives win a large majority in 2019 is squandering the party’s successes by self-inflicted missteps and gaffes.
Despite the rumblings of discontent, insiders say there is not enough of a groundswell against Johnson to dislodge him now, although they hope the vote will be a “wake-up call” for the prime minister to reset his agenda.
“He’s got to now be in some danger,” Conservative MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown told Sky News.
“And he’s got to realise that because if he doesn’t realise that then he will be in much bigger danger … I’m still backing him. But he’s got to change.”
Britain reported 59,610 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, the highest figure since early January and the fifth-highest recorded since the outbreak of the pandemic in March last year.
More than 5300 cases of Omicron have been recorded, with 10 people hospitalised. One person has died after contracting the variant.
Before the vote, the government had mounted a campaign to keep politicians in check, with Johnson warning his ministers there was a “huge spike” in Omicron cases heading Britain’s way, and the measures were needed to protect people.
Ministers tried to win over the rebels, saying people who have not been double-jabbed can instead offer proof of a negative lateral flow test to gain access to indoor venues of more than 500 people.
But several remained unconvinced, with one, Andrew Bridgen, saying some MPs were determined to “draw a line in the sand with regard to any further erosion of civil liberties and freedoms”.
Health Minister Sajid Javid said he firmly believed in “individual liberty” but “the responsible decision to take is … to move to plan B in England”.
But their arguments fell on deaf ears. In addition to the 99 Conservatives who voted against the passes, 40 voted against expanding the requirement for mask wearing.
“I am sure that the prime minister will understand the strength of feeling within the party about the constraint of liberties,” Conservative former minister David Jones told Reuters.
“He is a libertarian himself and I have no doubt that he will listen to the message from his party.”
