WINCHESTER’S MP has voted against lockdown 2.0, just days after he said it was there was “widespread scepticism” as to whether the new restrictions are “fair” on Hampshire.

Last night parliament voted for a nationwide lockdown by 516 to 38 which comes into force today (Thursday).

Pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops have been forced to close until December 2.

The Prime Minister tried to reassure parliament the measures should enable shops and businesses to reopen in time for the run-up to Christmas.

But Steve Brine defied the whip and voted against the measures.

In post on his website, Mr Brine said: “I am not convinced the Government has proposed a convincing change of strategy, learnt the lessons of this summer or made the case for a change away from the tiered system in favour of an England-wide national lockdown.”

He said that there has been too much emphasis on testing and “hitting the rather arbitrary targets set by ministers” and not enough trace and isolate.

Mr Brine continued: “We had a long lockdown in the spring which led to really low numbers in June/July but we didn’t consolidate that with isolation enough; learning perhaps from the seemingly successful East Asian approach.

“Then we needed strict border controls (quarantine was the right policy at the wrong time) with airport testing to prevent the re-introduction of infection and a test, track and isolate system that was able to tackle flare ups right away when rates were manageable.

“If we had done that we wouldn’t be merely supressing the virus until science saves us.”

He added: “We need to bite the bullet on better payments to those asked to isolate, we need do more than “insist” on isolation and we need to better use (and fund) Hampshire’s public health team to do that.

“We have quarantine in place for in-bound travellers of course but we need to grip (and do so fast) next-generation testing at our borders and stop re-importing cases.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Elsewhere, Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond supported the Government’s lockdown plans but said it was “with a heavy heart”.

She said: “No-one wants this second round of restrictions and I am very concerned about the impact on jobs and businesses, even with the generous government support that remains in place.

“However, the NHS is now on its highest alert and we have had the highest number of Covid deaths today since May. This tipped the balance for me in favour of this course of action.

“It was right the Prime Minister tried to find a regional solution but we cannot risk the NHS being overwhelmed and so there no alternative, if lives are to be saved. This is something that has the support of the vast majority of Meon Valley residents and of parliament.

“It is heart-breaking to now see businesses across the Meon Valley facing another four weeks closed so close to Christmas. To help this situation I will be pushing for a return to the regional model for low infection areas like the Meon Valley when this stricter lockdown ends because we cannot continue to move in and out of lockdown.”