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    02

    Nov 2020

    Last Updated: 02/11/2020
    Politics
    Politics

    Andrew Jones MP criticised for lockdown U-turn

    by John Plummer

    | 02 Nov, 2020
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    Liberal Democrat county councillor Geoff Webber, who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge, asks how the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones could support the national lockdown "with a straight face" after previously opposing the move.

    andrew-jones-3
    Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

    Local Liberal Democrats have asked how Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones could support the national lockdown "with a straight face" after recently speaking out against the move.

    Mr Jones said on October 20 "a blanket national lockdown is wrong and local interventions are what we need now to tackle this crisis".

    Two days later he said businesses in his constituency were worried about the impact of the district being moved into tier two.

    But on Wednesday he is set to vote with the government on introducing a national lockdown from Thursday.

    Geoff Webber, the Liberal Democrat group leader on North Yorkshire County Council, who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge, said:

    "How can he roll back from that so soon with a straight face? Foresight is in his job description; seven months on he and his party shouldn't be waiting until breaking point to respond to the crisis."


    Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to tell MPs today that covid deaths over the winter could be twice as bad as those in spring if the lockdown isn't implemented.

    The Stray Ferret asked Mr Jones if he still supported a blanket ban and which way he intended to vote.

    Mr Jones once again chose not to respond to the Stray Ferret, although we are aware he has spoken to other publications on this issue.




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