Latest updates: Government may have to rely on Labour votes to get England’s new tiers system approved by Commons, with up to 100 Tory MPs reportedly ‘concerned’

Two anti-lockdown Conservatives have been giving interviews this morning explaining why it is so important for them to see a cost-benefit analysis of the restrictions being introduced this week before they decide how to vote.

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham in West Sussex, told Sky News:

If the government cannot produce the data, and the logic, for me to be able to convince my constituents, I cannot vote when the vote is put before us tomorrow. It’s as simple as that. It’s not about rebellion; it’s about doing what is best for our constituencies.

In the absence of a cost-benefit analysis, and a health and harms analysis, then my default position is I cannot look my constituents in the eye, shut down their businesses, drive unemployment up by another million or two, without the proper understanding, or sight even, of the data. So, yes, it’s very, very important.

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