Tories share spoof graph showing curve of MPs against lockdown as ‘PM faces 100-strong rebellion’ if he extends it

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TORY MPs are reportedly sharing a spoof graph of increasing MPs opposing lockdown – as the PM was warned he faces a 100-strong rebellion if he extends the measures past December 2.

Richard Drax, the Tory MP for South Dorset, said even more MPs could oppose the Government if the PM decided to continue with draconian measures beyond the four-week period.

A graph being reportedly shared among MPs jokes that the Government faces defeat in future
Boris said a four week shut down was long enough to make an impact – raising hopes for Christmas

Last night Boris insisted that the current one-month lockdown in England would be enough to crack down on infections and drive the curve down, and that the regulations would automatically expire.

But he warned everyone must work together to put covid “back in its box” if they want “as normal a Christmas as possible”.

The Prime Minister insisted there was “light at the end of the tunnel” and the country would return to the tiered system of local lockdowns after four weeks – after ministers suggested restrictions could be extended.

And he’s stopped short of promising that he won’t keep people inside for longer if the R rate is still high.

Earlier this week more than 50 Tories voted against or abstained on the new lockdown measures – including ex-PM Theresa May who did not vote.

She had blasted the Government for using out-of-date graphs which she claimed undermined their arguments for another nationwide shut down, and expressed deep concerns over other Covid harms like suicides.

Theresa May spoke out against the Government this week – before she abstained on the lockdown vote

Tory MP Mr Drax told the Daily Telegraph that more rebels could come out of the woodwork if the PM tries to keep the nation in lockdown.

He said: “Fifty-five [MPs] is a large number, on the first occasion, and there are a lot more who would.

“And I cannot see the Prime Minister – who wants to presumably to be prime minister for another three years or so – is going to risk a massive rebellion of 80, 90, 100 or more.”

He said the PM feared being accused “of being a murderer” if deaths continued to rise and he didn’t take any further action.

But he argued that there must be a balance between saving lives and keeping the country open.

Mr Drax added: “I suspect the fear of being accused, in the worst case, of being a murderer, which some people may aim at him if deaths continue to rise, is both for him morally and politically a very devastating accusation to make.

“And this is where I think common sense is desperately needed to look at the balance between shutting the country down and trying to save a few more people, or living with this virus while saving the few, which we can now do, and allowing the country to continue.

“And on balance, I think it should definitely be the latter.”

It comes as:

  • Rishi Sunak yesterday announced he would extend the furlough scheme – which pays workers up to 80 per cent of their salary, up to £2,500 a month – through to March
  • People going on holiday during the lockdown face a £200 fine, ministers announced last night – or for leaving their home without a reasonable excuse
  • Germany and Sweden were taken off the quarantine list, and Denmark after outbreaks at several mink factories
  • Liverpool began its mass testing programme in hopes for Christmas – but some pilots said nearly half of positive cases were missed

Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer has already called for an extension of the lockdown if the R rate is above one.

Ministers are due to make the final decisions the week before the December 2 lockdown ends.

The PM wants to put a plan in place to go back to a verison of the tiered approach that was in place before – but there will likely be some changes to it.

Mr Johnson told the nation last night: “These measures, though tough, are time limited.

“The advice I have received suggests that four weeks is enough for these measures to make a real impact.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Areas in the top tier of restrictions will likely still face some closures, even after the nationwide measures are lifted.

And on the holiday period, he gave the nation a glimmer of hope as they entered four weeks of tough rules, saying: “We can do this and we will do this by 2 Dec.

“I have no doubt people will be able to have as normal a Christmas as possible and we will be able to get things open before Christmas as well.”

He acknowledged that the nation was “anxious, weary and quite frankly, fed up with the very mention of this virus.”