Post your correspondence with your MP re. Covid/Lockdown etc
Discussion
On one of the other threads it was suggested that there was a dedicated thread for people to share their communication with their MP re. the whole Covid/Lockdown situation.
Thought it was a good idea!
Mods if you think there are already too many of this type of thread then feel free to delete!
Here's mine on Lockdown 2.0:
Thank you for contacting me about the package of tougher measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus, which were set out by the Prime Minister on 31 October.
This virus absolutely is real and scientists have worked extremely hard to establish the origin of the virus in order to help to defeat it. In March 2020, a team of Canadian scientists successfully isolated the virus from two specimens, ensuring access to a pure sample of the virus outside the human body which can be studied. As the Prime Minister said, in less than a year, this disease has killed almost a million people worldwide and caused havoc to economies everywhere. What we must remember is that, unfortunately, what is one person’s mild cough can be another person’s death knell.
Scientific evidence is widely available and the Government's approach has been led by this, for example through SAGE, which provides scientific advice to the Government. I cannot emphasise strongly enough that this has been used to help save lives.
The legislation enacting these new measures is time limited, but as the current situation has shown, we must be guided by the facts. Measures must continue to be proportionate to the risk the virus poses, and the impact on the economy, livelihoods and personal freedoms cannot be too great, something which I know decision makers consider very carefully. I appreciate that these stricter measures impact on all our way of life and I understand your concerns about them, but we must comply and play our parts in saving lives and protecting vulnerable people.
The role of an MP is to represent their constituents to the very best of their ability, including through scrutinising legislation. Like all my colleagues, I take this very seriously. I will bear in mind the views you have raised and continue to ensure the people of Bury St Edmunds are represented when these matters are debated in the House.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
I am still awaiting a response from my email on the tier system
Thought it was a good idea!
Mods if you think there are already too many of this type of thread then feel free to delete!
Here's mine on Lockdown 2.0:
Thank you for contacting me about the package of tougher measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus, which were set out by the Prime Minister on 31 October.
This virus absolutely is real and scientists have worked extremely hard to establish the origin of the virus in order to help to defeat it. In March 2020, a team of Canadian scientists successfully isolated the virus from two specimens, ensuring access to a pure sample of the virus outside the human body which can be studied. As the Prime Minister said, in less than a year, this disease has killed almost a million people worldwide and caused havoc to economies everywhere. What we must remember is that, unfortunately, what is one person’s mild cough can be another person’s death knell.
Scientific evidence is widely available and the Government's approach has been led by this, for example through SAGE, which provides scientific advice to the Government. I cannot emphasise strongly enough that this has been used to help save lives.
The legislation enacting these new measures is time limited, but as the current situation has shown, we must be guided by the facts. Measures must continue to be proportionate to the risk the virus poses, and the impact on the economy, livelihoods and personal freedoms cannot be too great, something which I know decision makers consider very carefully. I appreciate that these stricter measures impact on all our way of life and I understand your concerns about them, but we must comply and play our parts in saving lives and protecting vulnerable people.
The role of an MP is to represent their constituents to the very best of their ability, including through scrutinising legislation. Like all my colleagues, I take this very seriously. I will bear in mind the views you have raised and continue to ensure the people of Bury St Edmunds are represented when these matters are debated in the House.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
I am still awaiting a response from my email on the tier system
Here's my reply from my MP when I complained about the Tier system:
Dear Mr WD
Thank you for your message.
I recognise that the pandemic is causing hardship and the Government has made the UK one of the most generous of countries in trying to limit this through a number of schemes to help businesses and people. But jobs and businesses will be lost.
I have had meetings with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, our Head of Public Health, our NHS Regional Lead, Local officials, Ministers and have followed the Minutes of SAGE meetings. I keep in regular touch with our CCGs, the Chief Executives of our hospitals and the big local employers as well as many small businesses.
Prior to national restrictions, I was arguing for District Council areas to be put into the appropriate Tiers for their level of infection and taking account of the trend. At that time NHDC and EHDC both had levels which were below the important 100/100,000 level, but starting to rise.
However, during national restrictions the level of infections rose fast, as much as 50% a week and both Council areas went well over 100. Now the national restrictions have led to lower levels and a falling trend. North Hertfordshire has shown a result below 100 and East Herts is falling fast.
MPs have asked the Prime Minister for assurances about review, evidence and a further vote and I attach his letter in reply to MPs.
In these circumstances, I believe our area should be reviewed on 16th December with the hope we can then be downgraded to Tier 1. I am pressing Ministers and the NHS to prepare to review our area favourably at the first review. I am also arguing that our neighbouring areas are similar and that even the Eastern Region as a whole could be reconsidered.
The Regulations we are voting on are very likely to become law, because Labour is not opposing them, the majority of Conservatives will back the Government, including me, and the consequences of a Government defeat would be bad for Britain and its people. These Regulations are not amendable and so there would be no restrictions anywhere and a chaotic situation, if it was defeated.
There is light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines, better treatments being scaled up and mass testing for the cities. I hope areas can speedily move down the Tiers and emerge from this dreadful period. Working our way out of the Tiers together and with continuing Government support should give Britain the basis for a strong and speedy recovery in the New Year.
Best wishes
Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald QC MP
Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire
Dear Mr WD
Thank you for your message.
I recognise that the pandemic is causing hardship and the Government has made the UK one of the most generous of countries in trying to limit this through a number of schemes to help businesses and people. But jobs and businesses will be lost.
I have had meetings with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, our Head of Public Health, our NHS Regional Lead, Local officials, Ministers and have followed the Minutes of SAGE meetings. I keep in regular touch with our CCGs, the Chief Executives of our hospitals and the big local employers as well as many small businesses.
Prior to national restrictions, I was arguing for District Council areas to be put into the appropriate Tiers for their level of infection and taking account of the trend. At that time NHDC and EHDC both had levels which were below the important 100/100,000 level, but starting to rise.
However, during national restrictions the level of infections rose fast, as much as 50% a week and both Council areas went well over 100. Now the national restrictions have led to lower levels and a falling trend. North Hertfordshire has shown a result below 100 and East Herts is falling fast.
MPs have asked the Prime Minister for assurances about review, evidence and a further vote and I attach his letter in reply to MPs.
In these circumstances, I believe our area should be reviewed on 16th December with the hope we can then be downgraded to Tier 1. I am pressing Ministers and the NHS to prepare to review our area favourably at the first review. I am also arguing that our neighbouring areas are similar and that even the Eastern Region as a whole could be reconsidered.
The Regulations we are voting on are very likely to become law, because Labour is not opposing them, the majority of Conservatives will back the Government, including me, and the consequences of a Government defeat would be bad for Britain and its people. These Regulations are not amendable and so there would be no restrictions anywhere and a chaotic situation, if it was defeated.
There is light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines, better treatments being scaled up and mass testing for the cities. I hope areas can speedily move down the Tiers and emerge from this dreadful period. Working our way out of the Tiers together and with continuing Government support should give Britain the basis for a strong and speedy recovery in the New Year.
Best wishes
Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald QC MP
Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire
Kemi Badenoch 9th September 2020 said:
Thank you for contacting me about wearing face coverings, particularly in shops and other establishments.
I know that the Government is following scientific guidance to ensure that steps are taken to ensure that people are able to go about their business as safely as possible.
New rules about face coverings do not mean people should wear surgical masks or respirators (which need to be kept available for those who need to wear them at work). Instead, people should wear the kind of face covering that can easily be made at home. Face coverings should cover the mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably, and can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head to give a snug fit. Indeed, the Government has published advice for people on how to make their own face coverings at home.
It is vital to balance the need to restrict the spread of the virus without infringing on civil liberties, while allowing the restoration of economic and social life. My colleagues in Government have made a judgement that the best way to balance these things is to enable people to go out and about, and to see and socialise with friends and family, but to require that, if they choose to do so, they take additional measures to restrict the spread of this virus by wearing face coverings in certain situations. It is vital that we do all that we can to protect a second wave of Covid-19. I know that the Government is keeping all guidelines under constant review to ensure that any restrictions in place are worthwhile measures in the fight against coronavirus, and I urge my constituents to comply with these measures.
As of 24 July 2020, it has become mandatory to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England. This move will help give shoppers more confidence to shop safely while also enhancing protection. I know the British Retail Consortium has said that social distancing measures and face coverings can make shoppers feel more confident to return to the high street. Sadly sales assistants, cashiers and security guards have suffered disproportionately in this crisis. I understand that the death rate of sales and retail assistants is 75 per cent higher among men, and 60 per cent higher among women than in the general population and therefore I am pleased that action is being taken to mitigate risk and keep our shopkeepers and retail staff safe. Under the new rules, should an individual refuse to wear a face covering they could face a fine of up to £100. Likewise, children under 11 and those with certain disabilities are also exempt.
I appreciate your concerns regarding this matter however I am confident the Government will continue to align with the latest scientific guidance and has introduced these these measures to help restore confidence and also add further protection to enable people to go about their daily business. However, it is important to keep in mind that this measure is in addition to the existing safety measures, including regular hand washing and observing social distancing.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely
I know that the Government is following scientific guidance to ensure that steps are taken to ensure that people are able to go about their business as safely as possible.
New rules about face coverings do not mean people should wear surgical masks or respirators (which need to be kept available for those who need to wear them at work). Instead, people should wear the kind of face covering that can easily be made at home. Face coverings should cover the mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably, and can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head to give a snug fit. Indeed, the Government has published advice for people on how to make their own face coverings at home.
It is vital to balance the need to restrict the spread of the virus without infringing on civil liberties, while allowing the restoration of economic and social life. My colleagues in Government have made a judgement that the best way to balance these things is to enable people to go out and about, and to see and socialise with friends and family, but to require that, if they choose to do so, they take additional measures to restrict the spread of this virus by wearing face coverings in certain situations. It is vital that we do all that we can to protect a second wave of Covid-19. I know that the Government is keeping all guidelines under constant review to ensure that any restrictions in place are worthwhile measures in the fight against coronavirus, and I urge my constituents to comply with these measures.
As of 24 July 2020, it has become mandatory to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England. This move will help give shoppers more confidence to shop safely while also enhancing protection. I know the British Retail Consortium has said that social distancing measures and face coverings can make shoppers feel more confident to return to the high street. Sadly sales assistants, cashiers and security guards have suffered disproportionately in this crisis. I understand that the death rate of sales and retail assistants is 75 per cent higher among men, and 60 per cent higher among women than in the general population and therefore I am pleased that action is being taken to mitigate risk and keep our shopkeepers and retail staff safe. Under the new rules, should an individual refuse to wear a face covering they could face a fine of up to £100. Likewise, children under 11 and those with certain disabilities are also exempt.
I appreciate your concerns regarding this matter however I am confident the Government will continue to align with the latest scientific guidance and has introduced these these measures to help restore confidence and also add further protection to enable people to go about their daily business. However, it is important to keep in mind that this measure is in addition to the existing safety measures, including regular hand washing and observing social distancing.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Letter to Stuart Andrew MP said:
Dear Mr. Andrew,
My wife and I have been your constituents since 2012 and voted for you as our MP 3 times. I have voted Conservative since I have been eligible to vote.
I am a strong believer in freedoms, personal and economic; in 2016 I started my first business and by the time I sold my stake last year it was employing 20 local, Leeds people. In January this year we embarked on a new venture which now employs 3 and hopefully more should we successfully navigate the current, troubled waters.
I write concerning the actions of Government and by extension you as my Conservative representative in parliament. What I would like to understand is how you will endeavor to support me as a constituent as we hopefully move forward. On this basis I would be grateful for your answers to the following;
1) Do you support the principle of 'Freedom Passports', to allow those tested negative and/or vaccinated to go about their business more or less restriction free whilst the pandemic is ongoing?
2) Would you agree that once the 'Covid vulnerable' have been vaccinated, all Covid restrictions on trade and personal freedoms should be removed?
3) The most recent case rate for Leeds was 170/1000 reported for week 22-28 November. The England average that week was 127. Some areas of the UK, Hackney in London for example, remain in Tier 2 despite being above the national average. The number of reported cases in Leeds was 1346, a drop of 38% on the previous week. If the downward trajectory continues, would you support Leeds being moved from Tier 3 into a lower tier immediately once the rate per 1000 drops to or below the national average?
I look forward to your response in due course.
Yours sincerely,
Sadly I expect little clarity from our Deputy Chief Whip, however let's see what his response is.My wife and I have been your constituents since 2012 and voted for you as our MP 3 times. I have voted Conservative since I have been eligible to vote.
I am a strong believer in freedoms, personal and economic; in 2016 I started my first business and by the time I sold my stake last year it was employing 20 local, Leeds people. In January this year we embarked on a new venture which now employs 3 and hopefully more should we successfully navigate the current, troubled waters.
I write concerning the actions of Government and by extension you as my Conservative representative in parliament. What I would like to understand is how you will endeavor to support me as a constituent as we hopefully move forward. On this basis I would be grateful for your answers to the following;
1) Do you support the principle of 'Freedom Passports', to allow those tested negative and/or vaccinated to go about their business more or less restriction free whilst the pandemic is ongoing?
2) Would you agree that once the 'Covid vulnerable' have been vaccinated, all Covid restrictions on trade and personal freedoms should be removed?
3) The most recent case rate for Leeds was 170/1000 reported for week 22-28 November. The England average that week was 127. Some areas of the UK, Hackney in London for example, remain in Tier 2 despite being above the national average. The number of reported cases in Leeds was 1346, a drop of 38% on the previous week. If the downward trajectory continues, would you support Leeds being moved from Tier 3 into a lower tier immediately once the rate per 1000 drops to or below the national average?
I look forward to your response in due course.
Yours sincerely,
You're kidding me?
I'm not important enough to enter discussions with MPs which could compromise State secrets
The last time I checked MPs were paid to represent their constituents. Those constituents therefore have a right to know the justification an MP gives when they vote a certain way. Or are we now at the point where MPs aren't open to public scrutiny?
I'm not important enough to enter discussions with MPs which could compromise State secrets
The last time I checked MPs were paid to represent their constituents. Those constituents therefore have a right to know the justification an MP gives when they vote a certain way. Or are we now at the point where MPs aren't open to public scrutiny?
Excellent idea!
First one:
I hope very much that you saw and agreed with Sir Charles Walker’s recent speech against Covid restrictions. If not, it’s available on the Parliamentarian channel of YouTube, as is his outrage at an elderly lady peacefully protesting outside parliament being arrested and carried spreadeagled to a police van.
It’s time for the insanity to stop now. The Sage modellers fear mongering predictions have been proven by the figures from the ONS to be completely unfounded yet again and worse, we have now entered a very dangerous area where the police (happy to allow BLM protests to go ahead despite threats of a second wave from the modellers - never happened) are actually physically stopping the public’s right to protest against this madness.
Politicians and the police are playing a very dangerous game when they play with the nation’s basic freedoms and civil rights. I trust that, as our MP, you will be standing up for the people, and not for your chums at Westminster hell bent on wrecking the economy, instilling fear with mandatory (and clearly pointless) face masks and promoting house arrest of the nation.
And after a wishy washy response about infections:
Many thanks for your response.
I think the point that is being missed is that even if you assume that the tests are accurate and even if you ignore whether a positive test actually means a clinical infection, cases are irrelevant to over 99% of the population! It simply does not matter. All that matters is, are people dying in excessive numbers directly from this virus and are hospitals being overwhelmed? The answer to which is categorically no (check how full the Nightingale hospitals are right now).
You can argue of course that people have died from it, and each death is a tragedy for all concerned. However thousands of people die in road deaths every year, and those deaths are every bit as much a tragedy for those involved. Numbers of road deaths could easily be reduced - far more training of all drivers, more police on the roads or even fix the speed limits at 10mph and immediately zero all road deaths in the country for ever more.
But we don’t do this because there has to be a balance between that ultimate goal of no deaths, the cost of (for instance) more police or more training, and crucially, what is logistically possible while allowing people to get on with their lives and allowing the economy to work. For an absolute parallel with the current situation, during the winter of 2014/15 we had excess winter deaths of 45,000 mostly down to the flu virus. We didn’t lock down then, the very idea would have been absurd.
I was a supporter of the first lockdown. We didn’t know what we were dealing with or what the damage would be. We now do. This is not ebola, it’s not SARS.
We need to move away from the unfounded public hysteria driven by the media and politicians and return to life while there is still a chance (for most of us) of having one.
The unintended consequences of current action, from cancers and other fatal diseases remaining undiagnosed to heart attack victims staying away from hospitals to mental health issues caused by banning people from seeing their friends and family to economic ruin for businesses and individuals to suicides and on and on is absolutely catastrophic. The fallout of this, the excess deaths created by current government action, the economic Armageddon, will continue for years and years as it is. All that current action is doing now is making it worse.
There was no second wave following the widely reported hysteria of seeing packed beached and protests in London following the first lockdown, SAGE’s models have been continually proven wrong and the ONS mortality statistics say it all.
Enough now.
First one:
I hope very much that you saw and agreed with Sir Charles Walker’s recent speech against Covid restrictions. If not, it’s available on the Parliamentarian channel of YouTube, as is his outrage at an elderly lady peacefully protesting outside parliament being arrested and carried spreadeagled to a police van.
It’s time for the insanity to stop now. The Sage modellers fear mongering predictions have been proven by the figures from the ONS to be completely unfounded yet again and worse, we have now entered a very dangerous area where the police (happy to allow BLM protests to go ahead despite threats of a second wave from the modellers - never happened) are actually physically stopping the public’s right to protest against this madness.
Politicians and the police are playing a very dangerous game when they play with the nation’s basic freedoms and civil rights. I trust that, as our MP, you will be standing up for the people, and not for your chums at Westminster hell bent on wrecking the economy, instilling fear with mandatory (and clearly pointless) face masks and promoting house arrest of the nation.
And after a wishy washy response about infections:
Many thanks for your response.
I think the point that is being missed is that even if you assume that the tests are accurate and even if you ignore whether a positive test actually means a clinical infection, cases are irrelevant to over 99% of the population! It simply does not matter. All that matters is, are people dying in excessive numbers directly from this virus and are hospitals being overwhelmed? The answer to which is categorically no (check how full the Nightingale hospitals are right now).
You can argue of course that people have died from it, and each death is a tragedy for all concerned. However thousands of people die in road deaths every year, and those deaths are every bit as much a tragedy for those involved. Numbers of road deaths could easily be reduced - far more training of all drivers, more police on the roads or even fix the speed limits at 10mph and immediately zero all road deaths in the country for ever more.
But we don’t do this because there has to be a balance between that ultimate goal of no deaths, the cost of (for instance) more police or more training, and crucially, what is logistically possible while allowing people to get on with their lives and allowing the economy to work. For an absolute parallel with the current situation, during the winter of 2014/15 we had excess winter deaths of 45,000 mostly down to the flu virus. We didn’t lock down then, the very idea would have been absurd.
I was a supporter of the first lockdown. We didn’t know what we were dealing with or what the damage would be. We now do. This is not ebola, it’s not SARS.
We need to move away from the unfounded public hysteria driven by the media and politicians and return to life while there is still a chance (for most of us) of having one.
The unintended consequences of current action, from cancers and other fatal diseases remaining undiagnosed to heart attack victims staying away from hospitals to mental health issues caused by banning people from seeing their friends and family to economic ruin for businesses and individuals to suicides and on and on is absolutely catastrophic. The fallout of this, the excess deaths created by current government action, the economic Armageddon, will continue for years and years as it is. All that current action is doing now is making it worse.
There was no second wave following the widely reported hysteria of seeing packed beached and protests in London following the first lockdown, SAGE’s models have been continually proven wrong and the ONS mortality statistics say it all.
Enough now.
My MP Craig Whittaker replied to my e mail as follows:
Thank you for taking the time to email me.
Calder Valley residents have made personal and professional sacrifices to bring down Covid-19 transmission. This is working, and we have started to see a decline in infection rates, however, we still have a long way to go. It is only just under 2 weeks ago that we were peaking at almost 500 per 100,000 infections.
Calderdale Borough currently has the 27th highest infection rate out of all English Local Authorities. Our local authority area is also above the regional and national averages.
My inbox has been full of quotes from varying scientists and experts from around the Valley and the Country on how their advice carries more weight than any other. The reality, however, is that you cannot argue with the hard facts.
The number of COVID-19 deaths in Calderdale has actually increased since the start of the November lockdown at 75 Covid-19 deaths. This is incredibly worrying. Every death is a travesty, and may I pass on my heartfelt sympathies to anyone who has lost a friend or loved one during this pandemic.
The infection rate has also had an impact on hospital capacity. Despite national lockdown, the number of hospital beds occupied by Covid-19 patients in Calderdale Royal Hospital is actually up, on beds occupied at the start of the national lockdown. It is actually more than this as we have a two-site trust so our patients flow over to Huddersfield Royal as well.
Whilst it is good that our Covid-19 transmission rates are reducing, the above evidence demonstrates that we need to sustain lower transmission for a longer period to have a material impact. For this reason, I am supporting the localised Tier 3 restrictions and as some of you will have seen, backed the Government in the vote this week.
The Tier 3 restrictions are subject to review in 2 weeks. At that point, I’ll be taking an evidence-led approach, as I have been doing throughout the pandemic. I hope that we can report on some better news at that point.
It is also welcome news that the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccines have been formally authorised by the Medicines and Heathcare Products Regulatory Agency. Having spoken to the CEO of Calderdale and Hudderfield hospitals, our local NHS stands ready to start vaccinating early next week.
Thank you and please do keep safe.
Craig
Thank you for taking the time to email me.
Calder Valley residents have made personal and professional sacrifices to bring down Covid-19 transmission. This is working, and we have started to see a decline in infection rates, however, we still have a long way to go. It is only just under 2 weeks ago that we were peaking at almost 500 per 100,000 infections.
Calderdale Borough currently has the 27th highest infection rate out of all English Local Authorities. Our local authority area is also above the regional and national averages.
My inbox has been full of quotes from varying scientists and experts from around the Valley and the Country on how their advice carries more weight than any other. The reality, however, is that you cannot argue with the hard facts.
The number of COVID-19 deaths in Calderdale has actually increased since the start of the November lockdown at 75 Covid-19 deaths. This is incredibly worrying. Every death is a travesty, and may I pass on my heartfelt sympathies to anyone who has lost a friend or loved one during this pandemic.
The infection rate has also had an impact on hospital capacity. Despite national lockdown, the number of hospital beds occupied by Covid-19 patients in Calderdale Royal Hospital is actually up, on beds occupied at the start of the national lockdown. It is actually more than this as we have a two-site trust so our patients flow over to Huddersfield Royal as well.
Whilst it is good that our Covid-19 transmission rates are reducing, the above evidence demonstrates that we need to sustain lower transmission for a longer period to have a material impact. For this reason, I am supporting the localised Tier 3 restrictions and as some of you will have seen, backed the Government in the vote this week.
The Tier 3 restrictions are subject to review in 2 weeks. At that point, I’ll be taking an evidence-led approach, as I have been doing throughout the pandemic. I hope that we can report on some better news at that point.
It is also welcome news that the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccines have been formally authorised by the Medicines and Heathcare Products Regulatory Agency. Having spoken to the CEO of Calderdale and Hudderfield hospitals, our local NHS stands ready to start vaccinating early next week.
Thank you and please do keep safe.
Craig
Here is my email.
Dear Mr. XXXX
I have never before felt the need to write to my MP about any issue until now. On a number of occasions during the past few months I have almost put pen to paper so to speak to raise my concerns with you. I have hesitated because I kept believing, perhaps naively that we would soon see light at the end of the tunnel. That we would see the beginning of the end of the damaging restrictions and impositions the government is forcing upon the population.
Having seen your name this evening on the list of MP’s who voted in favour of the new (Health Protection) tier system I feel the time is right to voice my concerns.
I do not believe that the virus itself is currently the biggest threat to the UK, it is not the biggest threat to our health or the economy. It is the reaction or overreaction by this government to the virus that creates the danger.
We have been told that we need to protect the NHS. This I’m afraid is a joke. If the NHS cannot cope with a virus that has a higher than 99% survival rate then it is not fit for purpose.
The lack of non-covid health care in 2020 will in my opinion lead down the line to far more deaths than covid itself. The NHS may as well have been renamed The Covid Service during this pandemic.
We were warned of a second wave which in reality did not appear, it was at the most a ripple. Yet the doom mongers of SAGE along with the Chief Medical Officer appeared with their fabricated graphs in a blatant attempt to frighten people into submission. I believe the scientists advising the government are merely enjoying their time in the spotlight, the once in a lifetime opportunity for them to be at the forefront and to feel important.
I imagine the general mental health of the nation is at an all time low, with suicide rates on the rise. Livelihoods and businesses up and down the land destroyed not by the virus but by a Conservative government of all things.
It appears that the government are pinning their hopes on the magic bullet of a vaccine. I am not sure how successful this will be, but I am of the opinion that we need to learn to live with this virus and would be better adopting the strategy laid out by the Great Barrington Declaration of which I am a signatory.
I voted for you in the last election and was elated when the Conservatives won a majority. I’m afraid that as things stand I will not be voting Conservative at the next election.
Things will have to shift dramatically before I mark X next to a Conservative candidate in the future.
Yours sincerely,
TWD.
If/when I get a reply I will post it on this thread.
Dear Mr. XXXX
I have never before felt the need to write to my MP about any issue until now. On a number of occasions during the past few months I have almost put pen to paper so to speak to raise my concerns with you. I have hesitated because I kept believing, perhaps naively that we would soon see light at the end of the tunnel. That we would see the beginning of the end of the damaging restrictions and impositions the government is forcing upon the population.
Having seen your name this evening on the list of MP’s who voted in favour of the new (Health Protection) tier system I feel the time is right to voice my concerns.
I do not believe that the virus itself is currently the biggest threat to the UK, it is not the biggest threat to our health or the economy. It is the reaction or overreaction by this government to the virus that creates the danger.
We have been told that we need to protect the NHS. This I’m afraid is a joke. If the NHS cannot cope with a virus that has a higher than 99% survival rate then it is not fit for purpose.
The lack of non-covid health care in 2020 will in my opinion lead down the line to far more deaths than covid itself. The NHS may as well have been renamed The Covid Service during this pandemic.
We were warned of a second wave which in reality did not appear, it was at the most a ripple. Yet the doom mongers of SAGE along with the Chief Medical Officer appeared with their fabricated graphs in a blatant attempt to frighten people into submission. I believe the scientists advising the government are merely enjoying their time in the spotlight, the once in a lifetime opportunity for them to be at the forefront and to feel important.
I imagine the general mental health of the nation is at an all time low, with suicide rates on the rise. Livelihoods and businesses up and down the land destroyed not by the virus but by a Conservative government of all things.
It appears that the government are pinning their hopes on the magic bullet of a vaccine. I am not sure how successful this will be, but I am of the opinion that we need to learn to live with this virus and would be better adopting the strategy laid out by the Great Barrington Declaration of which I am a signatory.
I voted for you in the last election and was elated when the Conservatives won a majority. I’m afraid that as things stand I will not be voting Conservative at the next election.
Things will have to shift dramatically before I mark X next to a Conservative candidate in the future.
Yours sincerely,
TWD.
If/when I get a reply I will post it on this thread.
Tier 3 will kill the pub trade. Stone dead. Especially at xmas
I've not seen your name on the rebel lists circulated after the last vote, but now we have been bumped from Tier 1 to tier 3 I hope you will be voting with your conscious and not the party line.
Whilst covid is definately not made up, the fact remains that I think only 346 people with no preexisting conditions under the age of 60 have passed away from this virus
I was trying to work out a figure for total deaths if we hadn't done either lockdown, no rule of 6, no tiers. Just social distancing and handwashing, and banning large events. I came up with the figure of 150,000. It was pointed out to me that thus would give us a population death rate of 2,000+ per million, Nd that person said it wasn't credible. I agree with him. Sweden are at 650 per million, and Brazil at 810 per million, both with no lockdown. (We are above both, so perhaps in some weird way, lockdown is actually causing civid deaths?)
What it certainly does is cause 400b of debt, 750,000 job loses with another million on the way, extra benefit payments and reduced tax take/ GDP. Also, I've no doubt there will be a spike in suicides because of the loneliness and isolation people are suffering. Cancer and heart disease deaths will increase over the next few years due to the suspension of screening services.
With the vaccine rollout from early December, we could prevent the vunerable getting seriously ill, and then hospitalisations and deaths will drop through the floor. If its truly 90% effective that should mean deaths down to 30 or 40 a day, down from the current 300-400
Let's get back to (old) normal!!
Get the message out there on twitter that you will be voting against the tiers next week. Alternatively, if you support it - get that out there too. Your constituents deserve to see that you are fighting for them (or not)
Can you also tell Matt Hancock that I don't want him to start testing for flu with the testing empire he has built
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/24/matt...
my MP said:
Thank you for contacting me about the disappointing, but not unexpected, announcement that under the Government's Winter Plan to combat Coronavirus, Nuneaton will be subject to tier 3 restrictions.
Our area has been placed in the 'very high' alert level, in part due to our high infection rate. The infection rate is one of five key indicators that were used to determine which areas were placed in which tier. On 11 November (a few days after the second national lockdown began) the infection rate per 100,000 people in Nuneaton & Bedworth was 237.1. On 21 November that figure had risen to 320.3. To contextualise these figures, the average national infection rate per 100,000 on 21 November was 209 and in London 177.
The decisions on tiers were taken before they are implemented and based on data available at that point to allow time for individuals and businesses to prepare for any changes – you might recall that previously there was significant criticism of the Government for taking decisions ‘at the last minute’.
The number of deaths recorded also showed a significant increase locally. The numbers of cases are now slowly reducing but sadly this hasn’t happened quickly enough.
New cases in our area are now also reducing from their peak, but there are still significant levels of infection and, whilst our local hospitals have coped well, they are now having to support the wider West Midlands area, where the hospitals are very challenged by the number of hospital admissions. Therefore, if we do not have any form of restrictions I very much fear that our hospitals may not be in a position to continue to serve non-Covid patients and possibly those with Covid in a very short time.
I am deeply concerned for businesses who either cannot open or have been significantly restricted. I welcome the support which is being made available to businesses and individuals in areas with very high levels of infection. In particular, I welcome the Chancellor’s announcement that business grants and grants for the self-employed will be expanded to provide further support to individuals and businesses affected by localised restrictions. However, I am of course aware that many businesses will find it challenging, even with support.
The Additional Restrictions Grant is available now and I urge all businesses that have been affected to check the criteria and apply to either Nuneaton and Bedworth or North Warwickshire Borough Councils. This support is available over and above the Local Restrictions Support Grants of up to £3,000 per month that are available to businesses that are be required to close in very high-level alert areas. Wet led pubs are also to receive a further £1000 grant in tier 2 and tier 3 areas.
For areas deemed 'very high' alert level, or ‘tier 3’, the measures include closure of pubs and bars, and banning meeting with anybody outside the household or support bubble in any indoor or private setting, with socialising only permitted up to a group of 6 in a public, outdoor setting.
People should avoid traveling in and out of 'very high' areas other than for things like work, education, or caring responsibilities. People who live in a 'very high' area should avoid staying overnight elsewhere, and people in 'medium' or 'high' areas should avoid staying overnight in 'very high’ areas.
Since the announcement I have spoken to Ministers and the County Council and pressed the case for Warwickshire to be treated as a stand-alone area (ie without Coventry and Solihull being included) and this change will be implemented soon.
I welcome that new rapid turnaround tests (which can help to identify and isolate people who do not have symptoms but are unintentionally spreading the virus) and can also be used to identify people who do not have the virus. This means that, in due course, it should be possible to offer people who test negative the prospect of greater freedoms. I have pressed Ministers for the rapid roll-out of mass testing and expect an announcement shortly.
I believe there is reason to be cautiously optimistic, with one vaccine now approved for use and positive signs that multiple vaccines are on the horizon. The objective is to get the R rate below one and to keep it as low as possible to allow areas to move down the tiers. Collectively, we must guard against the previous experience of reducing the R rate, relaxing our individual precautions and the spread of the virus to then increase rapidly leading to widespread high levels of infection.
The tiers will be reviewed every two weeks, reducing the spread of the virus is a responsibility for us all and I urge people to follow the rules. I am very much hoping that together we can continue to get the virus down in Nuneaton, Arley and Hartshill and the rest of Warwickshire so that we can be positively reviewed into tier two later this month.
In an ideal world I would never commit to doing anything that would so overtly challenge civil liberties or curtail legitimate businesses but I did support the tier system, with a heavy heart, for the reasons that I set out. I don’t personally agree with every part of the tier system, but the alternatives of no restrictions at all and letting the virus go unchecked and so allowing infections and, inevitably, deaths to soar or having a full lockdown, which would see far more restrictions and challenges for a wider group of businesses are even more unpalatable.
There are no easy solutions or decisions. I had to weigh the risk of unnecessary deaths and long-term suffering against the needs of businesses; of the majority who have stuck to the guidance against the minority who ignore the guidance that they find inconvenient. I have erred on the side of caution and believe that, in all the circumstances, it was the right thing to do.
Thank you again for taking the time and trouble to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Our area has been placed in the 'very high' alert level, in part due to our high infection rate. The infection rate is one of five key indicators that were used to determine which areas were placed in which tier. On 11 November (a few days after the second national lockdown began) the infection rate per 100,000 people in Nuneaton & Bedworth was 237.1. On 21 November that figure had risen to 320.3. To contextualise these figures, the average national infection rate per 100,000 on 21 November was 209 and in London 177.
The decisions on tiers were taken before they are implemented and based on data available at that point to allow time for individuals and businesses to prepare for any changes – you might recall that previously there was significant criticism of the Government for taking decisions ‘at the last minute’.
The number of deaths recorded also showed a significant increase locally. The numbers of cases are now slowly reducing but sadly this hasn’t happened quickly enough.
New cases in our area are now also reducing from their peak, but there are still significant levels of infection and, whilst our local hospitals have coped well, they are now having to support the wider West Midlands area, where the hospitals are very challenged by the number of hospital admissions. Therefore, if we do not have any form of restrictions I very much fear that our hospitals may not be in a position to continue to serve non-Covid patients and possibly those with Covid in a very short time.
I am deeply concerned for businesses who either cannot open or have been significantly restricted. I welcome the support which is being made available to businesses and individuals in areas with very high levels of infection. In particular, I welcome the Chancellor’s announcement that business grants and grants for the self-employed will be expanded to provide further support to individuals and businesses affected by localised restrictions. However, I am of course aware that many businesses will find it challenging, even with support.
The Additional Restrictions Grant is available now and I urge all businesses that have been affected to check the criteria and apply to either Nuneaton and Bedworth or North Warwickshire Borough Councils. This support is available over and above the Local Restrictions Support Grants of up to £3,000 per month that are available to businesses that are be required to close in very high-level alert areas. Wet led pubs are also to receive a further £1000 grant in tier 2 and tier 3 areas.
For areas deemed 'very high' alert level, or ‘tier 3’, the measures include closure of pubs and bars, and banning meeting with anybody outside the household or support bubble in any indoor or private setting, with socialising only permitted up to a group of 6 in a public, outdoor setting.
People should avoid traveling in and out of 'very high' areas other than for things like work, education, or caring responsibilities. People who live in a 'very high' area should avoid staying overnight elsewhere, and people in 'medium' or 'high' areas should avoid staying overnight in 'very high’ areas.
Since the announcement I have spoken to Ministers and the County Council and pressed the case for Warwickshire to be treated as a stand-alone area (ie without Coventry and Solihull being included) and this change will be implemented soon.
I welcome that new rapid turnaround tests (which can help to identify and isolate people who do not have symptoms but are unintentionally spreading the virus) and can also be used to identify people who do not have the virus. This means that, in due course, it should be possible to offer people who test negative the prospect of greater freedoms. I have pressed Ministers for the rapid roll-out of mass testing and expect an announcement shortly.
I believe there is reason to be cautiously optimistic, with one vaccine now approved for use and positive signs that multiple vaccines are on the horizon. The objective is to get the R rate below one and to keep it as low as possible to allow areas to move down the tiers. Collectively, we must guard against the previous experience of reducing the R rate, relaxing our individual precautions and the spread of the virus to then increase rapidly leading to widespread high levels of infection.
The tiers will be reviewed every two weeks, reducing the spread of the virus is a responsibility for us all and I urge people to follow the rules. I am very much hoping that together we can continue to get the virus down in Nuneaton, Arley and Hartshill and the rest of Warwickshire so that we can be positively reviewed into tier two later this month.
In an ideal world I would never commit to doing anything that would so overtly challenge civil liberties or curtail legitimate businesses but I did support the tier system, with a heavy heart, for the reasons that I set out. I don’t personally agree with every part of the tier system, but the alternatives of no restrictions at all and letting the virus go unchecked and so allowing infections and, inevitably, deaths to soar or having a full lockdown, which would see far more restrictions and challenges for a wider group of businesses are even more unpalatable.
There are no easy solutions or decisions. I had to weigh the risk of unnecessary deaths and long-term suffering against the needs of businesses; of the majority who have stuck to the guidance against the minority who ignore the guidance that they find inconvenient. I have erred on the side of caution and believe that, in all the circumstances, it was the right thing to do.
Thank you again for taking the time and trouble to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Mark-ri571 said:
My MP Craig Whittaker replied to my e mail as follows:
Thank you for taking the time to email me.
Calder Valley residents have made personal and professional sacrifices to bring down Covid-19 transmission. This is working, and we have started to see a decline in infection rates, however, we still have a long way to go. It is only just under 2 weeks ago that we were peaking at almost 500 per 100,000 infections.
Calderdale Borough currently has the 27th highest infection rate out of all English Local Authorities. Our local authority area is also above the regional and national averages.
My inbox has been full of quotes from varying scientists and experts from around the Valley and the Country on how their advice carries more weight than any other. The reality, however, is that you cannot argue with the hard facts.
The number of COVID-19 deaths in Calderdale has actually increased since the start of the November lockdown at 75 Covid-19 deaths. This is incredibly worrying. Every death is a travesty, and may I pass on my heartfelt sympathies to anyone who has lost a friend or loved one during this pandemic.
The infection rate has also had an impact on hospital capacity. Despite national lockdown, the number of hospital beds occupied by Covid-19 patients in Calderdale Royal Hospital is actually up, on beds occupied at the start of the national lockdown. It is actually more than this as we have a two-site trust so our patients flow over to Huddersfield Royal as well.
Whilst it is good that our Covid-19 transmission rates are reducing, the above evidence demonstrates that we need to sustain lower transmission for a longer period to have a material impact. For this reason, I am supporting the localised Tier 3 restrictions and as some of you will have seen, backed the Government in the vote this week.
The Tier 3 restrictions are subject to review in 2 weeks. At that point, I’ll be taking an evidence-led approach, as I have been doing throughout the pandemic. I hope that we can report on some better news at that point.
It is also welcome news that the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccines have been formally authorised by the Medicines and Heathcare Products Regulatory Agency. Having spoken to the CEO of Calderdale and Hudderfield hospitals, our local NHS stands ready to start vaccinating early next week.
Thank you and please do keep safe.
Craig
Snap! That is the same reply I had from Craig Whittaker to my email. I am sure we won’t have sent the same email.Thank you for taking the time to email me.
Calder Valley residents have made personal and professional sacrifices to bring down Covid-19 transmission. This is working, and we have started to see a decline in infection rates, however, we still have a long way to go. It is only just under 2 weeks ago that we were peaking at almost 500 per 100,000 infections.
Calderdale Borough currently has the 27th highest infection rate out of all English Local Authorities. Our local authority area is also above the regional and national averages.
My inbox has been full of quotes from varying scientists and experts from around the Valley and the Country on how their advice carries more weight than any other. The reality, however, is that you cannot argue with the hard facts.
The number of COVID-19 deaths in Calderdale has actually increased since the start of the November lockdown at 75 Covid-19 deaths. This is incredibly worrying. Every death is a travesty, and may I pass on my heartfelt sympathies to anyone who has lost a friend or loved one during this pandemic.
The infection rate has also had an impact on hospital capacity. Despite national lockdown, the number of hospital beds occupied by Covid-19 patients in Calderdale Royal Hospital is actually up, on beds occupied at the start of the national lockdown. It is actually more than this as we have a two-site trust so our patients flow over to Huddersfield Royal as well.
Whilst it is good that our Covid-19 transmission rates are reducing, the above evidence demonstrates that we need to sustain lower transmission for a longer period to have a material impact. For this reason, I am supporting the localised Tier 3 restrictions and as some of you will have seen, backed the Government in the vote this week.
The Tier 3 restrictions are subject to review in 2 weeks. At that point, I’ll be taking an evidence-led approach, as I have been doing throughout the pandemic. I hope that we can report on some better news at that point.
It is also welcome news that the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccines have been formally authorised by the Medicines and Heathcare Products Regulatory Agency. Having spoken to the CEO of Calderdale and Hudderfield hospitals, our local NHS stands ready to start vaccinating early next week.
Thank you and please do keep safe.
Craig
He had been quite good in the past and voted against the national lockdown and came out against Cummings on TV but his latest response was disappointing. He has lost my support and vote.
Mark-ri571 said:
I guess all MPs are sending out the same reply to their constituents irrespective of the letter received. I hope all level 3 restaurant owners show their MP the door if they dare to book a table post tier 3 lockdown- that’s assuming they are still in business of course.
I would hope that all pubs in Calderdale refuse him entry into their establishments - especially when he wants a photo op to say how he is supporting local businesses..........Thousands of posts comprising thousands of hours writing about how outraged people are about the government handling of the lockdown crisis.
And it would appear that 3 people have actually written to their MP and posted what they wrote to try to help others do the same.
If ever you wondered how on earth the government gets away with it, here's your answer. It would appear that people are keen to bang their drum anonymously on a car forum, but not actually prepared to do anything to make their feelings felt to anyone who might actually be able to make a difference.
Oh well.
And it would appear that 3 people have actually written to their MP and posted what they wrote to try to help others do the same.
If ever you wondered how on earth the government gets away with it, here's your answer. It would appear that people are keen to bang their drum anonymously on a car forum, but not actually prepared to do anything to make their feelings felt to anyone who might actually be able to make a difference.
Oh well.
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