Environment Secretary George Eustice said up to 100 Conservative MPs have “got concerns” about the new Covid restrictions for England when he was asked about discontent on Tory benches ahead of a Commons vote on Tuesday.
He told Sky News: “The chief whip, obviously, will be talking to those MPs who have got concerns. I’ve seen suggestions that there could be up to 100 or so people that have got concerns.”
He added: “I think there is great frustration with the emergency measures that we have had to take to deal with this pandemic.
“We haven’t taken them lightly. We have had to take these to get the virus under control.
“What we need to show to those MPs and to the country at large is that we have got a clear route towards fixing this problem and turning the corner.”
Asked if the Government would have to rely on Labour to get the coronavirus restrictions through the Commons, Mr Eustice told Sky News: “It will depend on what other parties do.
“Yes, it will depend on what the Labour Party chose to do.”
Mr Eustice has refused to rule out the possibility of a third lockdown in January.
Mr Eustice told Sky News: “Provided we maintain the tiered approach for as long as necessary I don’t think it will be necessary to go back into another full lockdown.”
Pressed on whether he could rule out another lockdown in the New Year, the Cabinet minster said: “You can’t rule anything out because this is a rapidly developing situation.”
Asked if people living in Tier 2 areas would have to leave a pub or restaurant as soon as they finish eating, or could stay to finish their drink, Mr Eustice said: “I think you can finish your drink provided you are at a table and you have had a drink with a meal then, of course, you can finish your drink as well.
“What you probably couldn’t do is have a small meal and then sit at the table all night ordering drink.”
