The "principality" of Wales is damaging people's liberties and the economy, a Conservative MP has told a national radio station.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who is Conservative MP for the Cotswolds, told Times Radio that Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are "principalities" and that they have been "overly cautious" in the response to Covid.
Whether you agree with his political point or not Wales is country and not a principality despite often being referred to as one. Although Wales shares a border with England and is part of Great Britain Wales is a country in its own right and has not been a principality since the 1500s. If you want to know the background to that you can read it here.
As it stands there are different Covid rules in place across the UK. Wales undoubtedly has some of the strictest new rules with the country moving to a version of alert level two restrictions since December 26. As part of this there are impacts on hospitality, including the rule of six, and nightclubs have to close and there are laws on the number of people who can meet.
In the interview with Times Radio the MP was asked: "How concerned are you about England being out of step with the rest of the country?"
He replied: "I think it's the other way around. I think the principalities are out of step with with with England. I think they have been overly cautious. I think they're doing more damage to their economies than they need to. I think they're doing more damage to people's liberties than they need to. I just don't think the evidence unless as I say the data coming out today is very different. I don't think the evidence is there for any further measures."
The MP went on: "I think there's a lot of confusion at the moment in the data. I think people have been pretty cautious over Christmas. I think unless the data is very, very different to that which it was before Christmas the prime minister would be do well just to wait and see what happens in the next few days because by next week we will have a very, very clear idea of whether these large numbers of infections are going to translate into hospital cases. But at the moment I would urge caution because damage to the economy and the damage to individuals by locking them down unnecessarily – I would just, unless the data is very, very clear, I would urge caution on the Prime Minister".
He was also asked if guidance should be brought in in England rather than legal restrictions.
"I don't think it's a cop-out at all. I think it's exactly if if the Prime Minister deems that it's necessary to take further measures – which I am severely doubtful whether he is – but if he deems that it is that is the way to do it by guidance because, I say, all over Christmas, from everything I've seen, people have been very cautious. They've been making sensible decisions. They've not been having huge gatherings. And I think that would be a very sensible way to go forward."
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