A majority of Berkshire MPs have voted for strict new coronavirus measures, which include the introduction of a ‘vaccine passport’.
Major votes were held on the Government’s winter Plan B restrictions, which it has argued is necessary to reduce coronavirus infections and reduce stress on the NHS.
But a number of Conservatives rebelled against the Plan B measures – among them, some of Berkshire’s MPs.
The biggest revolt came over the introduction of a ‘vaccine passport’ for entry to nightclubs, indoor events with 500 or more attendees, and outdoor events with more than 4000 attendees.
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The vaccine passport is officially called the NHS Covid Pass, which can be accessed from the NHS mobile app or downloaded and printed.
It may also be needed to show proof of vaccination when travelling to other countries, based on their entry rules.
In the vote, Adam Afriyie, the Conservative MP for Windsor, and Sir John Redwood, the Conservative MP for Wokingham, both voted against the vaccine passport measures.
Theresa May, the Conservative MP for Maidenhead, abstained from voting.
Meanwhile, Alok Sharma, the Conservative MP for Reading West, Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, James Sunderland, the Conservative MP for Bracknell, Laura Farris, the Conservative MP for Newbury, and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough, all voted in favour of introducing a vaccine passport.
Ultimately, the measures were implemented with 369 votes in favour and 125 against.
A total of 98 Conservative MPs voted against the introduction of a vaccine passport.
All the Liberal Democrats, eight Labour MPs, Green MP Caroline Lucas and Independent MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Rob Roberts also voted against the vaccine passport.
The Government also introduced a requirement for NHS workers to be vaccinated.
In that vote, Sir John was the only Berkshire MP who voted against the requirement.
Mrs May and Mr Afriyie abstained from voting, with all other Berkshire MPs supported it.
Ultimately, the move to make vaccines mandatory for NHS workers passed with 385 MPs in favour of it and 100 MPs voting against it.
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The most bipartisan vote was for an expansion of the requirement to wear face coverings.
Until now, face coverings had only been mandated in shops and on public transport.
But the Government introduced a rule to expand that requirement to hospitality venues, theatres and places of worship.
Sir John, Mr Afriyie and Mrs May all abstained from the vote, rather than explicitly voting against the tough new measure.
All the other Berkshire MPs voted for it, with the expansion of the mask mandate passing by 442 votes to 41.
However, there were still a substantial number of English MPs who abstained from voting.
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