This is why local MPs voted against vaccine passes and Plan B

Local MPs have revealed the reasons why they chose to vote against the government’s new Plan B measures including the introduction of vaccine passes.

Adults in England will now have to show a Covid pass to attend large venues with new measures introduced to try and combat the spread of the Omicron variant.

The new rules, which were passed in the House of Commons on Tuesday night - despite a huge Tory rebellion - mean that people need to show proof of full Covid-19 vaccination or a recent negative lateral flow test to enter big sports matches, nightclubs or other large events.

All of Birmingham’s Labour MPs who voted on the measures voted in favour of the Plan B restrictions, with Conservative MP Gary Sambrook (Northfield) voting against the measures.

West Bromwich West Conservative MP Shaun Bailey also voted against the measures.

Solihull MP Julian Knight also voted against.

‘The measures are divisive and discriminatory’

In a statement issued to BirminghamWorld, Mr Sambrook said that there is “not sufficient data or evidence to suggest these new measures are necessary or will work.”

He said: “The government have made the decision to proceed with Plan B, increasing restrictions on ordinary people.

“Vaccine passports and Covid passes are part of these measures. This measure is divisive and discriminatory.

“They do not stop the spread of Covid and Plan B will cost jobs in many sectors, including hospitality.

“Working from home won’t help our social or economic recovery - compared to this time last year the number of people in hospital is 55% fewer.

“One in four people who are in hospital with Covid are not there because of Covid, and 90% of those in intensive care untis with Covid have not had their vaccinations.”

The map below shows how all of the MPs across England voted on the Plan B measures

‘Little evidence to suggest that Covid passports help to reduce the spread of the virus’

West Bromwich West MP Shaun Bailey also questioned how effective Covid passes will be when explaining why he chose to vote against Plan B.

He said: “I took the decision to vote against the government in regard to the new Covid restrictions, better known as Plan B, as there is currently very little evidence to suggest that Covid passports help reduce the spread of the virus.”

“Early indications from South Africa also suggest, that the severity of the symptoms of the Omicron variant, may not be as bad as we first thought. This will, however, need to be kept under review, as the data we have does not yet give us the full picture.

“Vaccination is the best line of defence against Covid and that is why it is so important, more now than ever, to get Boosted. For those who have not yet come forward for their first or second jab – I urge you to do so.”

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