Government delays curfew vote amid Tory rebellion

Following reports yesterday (6 October), it was understood that up to ​45 Conservative MPs were expected to vote against the PM​ on the issue. 

The rebels are said to have been encouraged by Rishi Sunak’s 'frustration' at the measure, as well as Labour’s refusal to support the curfew without seeing the supposed scientific evidence behind it.

Having originally been scheduled for this evening (7 October), the vote on the curfew is now expected to happen next week, with Government whips hoping to bring the rebels into line.

The Government is retrospectively allowing votes for recent Coronavirus restrictions that have been applied England-wide.

A vote on the rule of six vote was won comfortably by the Government last night, though 14 Tories voted against it, and 12 more joined Labour in abstaining.

Calls for the Government to cancel the curfew, which has been in place since 24 September, have been growing within the hospitality sector. 

Last week, a campaign putting pressure on the Government to make a U-turn on its curfew was launched​ in response to the negative impact the measure is having on the hospitality sector.

Created by a group of hospitality professionals from across England and Wales, the #CancelTheCurfew campaign is attempting to raise awareness amongst consumers of the impact that the policy is having on their industry, in hope that they will join them in pressuring the Government to make a U-turn on the policy

On Twitter last night, Greater Manchester's night-time economy adviser Sacha Lord, who backs #CancelTheCurfew, encouraged his followers​​ to email their MPs and call on them to vote against the measure.

He said: "In case you missed it, the vote on the curfew has been delayed. Ministers accused of running scared amid looming Tory rebellion. Let's KEEP THE PRESSURE UP. Email your MP who you will find here​​.