Yorkshire MP challenges Matt Hancock to 'act like a Conservative' over 'nanny state' coronavirus rules

A Yorkshire MP who represents an area under local lockdown has accused Matt Hancock of presiding over a “nanny state” with a “socialist approach” over coronavirus restrictions.

Tory Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, called on the Health Secretary to “start acting like a Conservative” in the Commons today.

After making the point Bradford had been under local lockdown rules for weeks, and saying that cases were rising, Mr Davies said: “Is the Secretary of State aware of the damage the arbitrary 10pm curfew is doing to pubs, restaurants, bowling alleys and casinos? Is he aware of the jobs that are being lost, all just to see people congregating on the streets instead and shop staff getting more abuse?

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“When will the Secretary of State start acting like a Conservative with a belief in individual responsibility and abandon this arbitrary, nanny state, socialist approach which is serving no purpose at all apart from the further collapse of the economy and erode our freedoms?”

Shipley MP Philip Davies. Photo: JPI MediaShipley MP Philip Davies. Photo: JPI Media
Shipley MP Philip Davies. Photo: JPI Media

But Mr Hancock said that he “profoundly” disagrees with Mr Davies as he believes in “individual responsibility and the promotion of freedom, subject to not harming others”.

He added: “So it is perfectly reasonable to make the argument that we should just let the virus rip, I just think that the hundreds of thousands of deaths that would follow is not a price that anyone should pay.”

Labour’s Karl Turner challenged Mr Hancock to take personal responsibility for testing woes in parts of the country.

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Hull East MP Mr Turner said there is “no sign of the world-beating” test and trace programme in his constituency, adding: “Does the Secretary of State feel any personal responsibility for the utter chaos that is putting lives and livelihoods at risk in my constituency and across the country?”

The Health Secretary replied: “I feel personal responsibility for the record number of tests that are being done in this country.

“I feel personal responsibility for the fact that the vast majority of people in Hull and across the country can get a test within six miles of where they live, and get the test results back – the majority of them – the next day.

“I feel personal responsibility for the biggest contact tracing programme that this country has ever seen with the support of the armed forces, the NHS, brilliant civil servants and the private sector working together.

“I think it’s that sort of coming together we need to get through this virus.”