British PM Johnson faces rebellion in parliament over COVID measures

[December 14, 2021]  By Elizabeth Piper and Kylie MacLellan

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a large rebellion among his Conservative lawmakers on Tuesday in a parliamentary vote over new restrictions to try to curb the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.

The measures, including ordering people to work from home, to wear masks in public places and use COVID-19 passes to enter some venues, are expected to be approved by parliament but with Johnson relying on the opposition Labour Party for votes.

It's yet another blow to a prime minister already under pressure over reported parties in his Downing Street office last year when such gatherings were banned, a pricey refurbishment of his apartment and the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Many of his lawmakers say the restrictions are draconian, with several questioning the introduction of vaccination certification, dubbed COVID passports, to enter some venues, such as night clubs.

Others are using the votes as an opportunity to vent their anger at Johnson, believing the man who helped the Conservatives win a large majority at a 2019 election is squandering the party's successes by self-inflicted missteps and gaffes.
 

But despite the grumblings of discontent, Conservative Party insiders say there is not enough of a groundswell against Johnson to dislodge him now, with no potential challenger commanding enough support to replace him.

"Boris on a bad day is better than any of the other wannabes on a good day," said one veteran Conservative.

Lawmakers are due to start consecutive votes on the measures in turn from 1830 GMT.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Stow Health vaccination centre in Westminster, London, Britain December 13, 2021. Jeremy Selwyn/Pool via REUTERS

The government says the measures are necessary to stem the spread of Omicron, which accounts for more than 40% of infections in London and is expected to become the dominant strain in the British capital.

One person has died after contracting the variant and 10 people have been hospitalised with Omicron across England.

Ministers are moving to try to win over the Conservative rebels, saying that people who have not been double-jabbed can instead offer proof of a negative lateral flow test to gain access to indoor venues of more than 500 people.

But several are not convinced.

"It is quite wrong that people should be expected to produce what is essentially a health ID card before they can access services that should be available to all," said Conservative lawmaker and former minister, David Jones.

"People should certainly be encouraged to have the vaccine ... but ultimately people have to take responsibility for their own health," he told Reuters.

(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper and Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, William Maclean)

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