Honiton: Local MP's reaction to 'freedom day' delay, and mixed views from other Devon politicians

Devon MPs and political leaders are divided over the Government's decision to delay the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions until July 19.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said all restrictions on social contact could be lifted on the new 'terminus date', barring the emergence of a game-changing new variant.

In the unlikely scenario of the data being better than expected in two weeks' time, the restrictions could be lifted earlier.

The announcement means social distancing guidance will remain in place, as will the guidance to work from home, while the 'rule of six' indoors and the 'rule of 30' outdoors continues.

The reopening of nightclubs will be postponed, but an exemption was made for wedding ceremonies, although venues will still have to adhere to social distancing rules.

The extension of restrictions will be put to a Commons vote, with a debate expected on Wednesday, as the current legislation expires on June 30.

How Devon's MPs have reacted to the news

Some of Devon's MPs have criticised the decision, while others have welcomed it.

Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton, said: "I am disappointed that a full unlocking cannot go ahead on 21 June, but I do accept the need to delay.

"The Delta variant has meant that the Prime Minister has had no choice but to be cautious.

"However, even a short delay will have an adverse impact on certain sectors, especially the hospitality industry, and so I will be seeking further support from the Government to help businesses through the additional period of restrictions."

Anne Marie Morris, MP for Newton Abbot, said she is 'very much against this decision and worried about a further delay post July 19'.

She said: "The reality is that we will have to live with Covid-19 in various forms and any attempt at a 'zero Covid' strategy is both impossible and unworkable."

She added that the best way forward would be speeding up the vaccination process.

She said: "I would call on the Government to publish the data justifying its decision and also provide financial support for those they have excluded for the past 18 months."

Ben Bradshaw, the Labour MP for Exeter, said that he would have to carefully study the proposals, but he would be unlikely to support the extension of 'the Government's draconian curbs on our basic freedoms' when they go to a vote in the House of Commons later this week.

But Sir Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon, backed the delay in moving to step four. He said: "It seems that it is prudent to delay the final release to enable more people to be vaccinated.

Support from public health director and county council leader

Steve Brown, Devon's Director of Public Health, has supported the delay in the lifting of restrictions, and has asked local residents to be patient and keep following the rules.

Devon County Council leader, Cllr John Hart, said that as the country is in a race between our vaccination roll-out and the more infectious variant of the virus, he believed this delay was inevitable.

He said: "We need to close the gap between the proportion of our population who've had two jabs and those who've only had one because the difference in protection is very, very marked. And we must encourage younger people to book their vaccinations if they haven't already done so.

"I think many residents of Devon will be pleased with this delay as the county has already been very busy with visitors, but I have to repeat my plea to the Government to ensure that our hospitality businesses continue to receive support.

"We're entering their peak time now and these continuing restrictions will obviously hamper their ability to operate at full capacity, so it is vital that they receive help, and in the meantime, Devon County Council will continue to do everything in its power to ensure our economy recovers strongly from the pandemic."