On the 4th November, Andrew Rosindell was one of 38 MPs to vote against a new lockdown. On the 6th of November, his monthly column in the Romford Recorder explains why:
Our great nation has once again been forced to shut up shop! This time, compared to what happened in the spring, it feels very different. On the 20th of March, three days before the first lockdown, I addressed the people of Romford directly and assured them that the measures being introduced were important “if we want to combat this virus and save lives.”
Looking back, there is a lot that can be repeated. I once again urge those who know elderly and vulnerable people to assist them in whatever way possible. Once again, my confidence in the British people cannot be shaken. As I said in March, “Our country has faced many challenges over the years, but with our British Bulldog spirit, we can and will get through this period of adversity together.”
However, the people of Romford have a right to know my views about this latest lockdown. When we knew little about the virus and we needed time to put in place measures to combat it, a short, sharp lockdown was the right policy instrument.
Seven months on, I simply cannot see that following that same policy again will provide the solution. Indeed, it could prove to be worse than the problem we are trying to tackle. Condemning the British people to bankruptcy, unemployment, and a potential explosion of non-COVID related health issues cannot be right. We are doing this seemingly without a light at the end of the tunnel.
That is why I voted against the lockdown. My message to the people of Romford is clear: we must do everything possible to protect the vulnerable, whilst at the same time keeping Britain open and moving forward.
