Lincolnshire’s MPs seem to share the same belief that Boris Johnson must stay on as Prime Minister because of the ongoing situation in Ukraine, despite being fined by police for his role in a lockdown breaching Downing Street party.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing intense pressure after it was revealed that the Metropolitan Police issued a Fixed Penalty Notice to himself and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, in relation to a party at Downing Street in June 2020, during the height of COVID-19 lockdown.
The PM issued a full apology and stated that he “immediately” paid the fine, while also suggesting that it “did not occur” to him that he was breaching any of the rules that his government set during the pandemic.
The Prime Minister had to apologise for attending a garden party at 10 Downing Street at the height of lockdown. | Photo via Guardian
Calls for resignation are increasing by the day, with Conservative MP for Amber Valley, Nigel Mills, becoming the first member of Boris Johnson’s government to publicly state he should resign.
As well as this, Lord David Wolfson handed in his resignation as a justice minister on Wednesday, saying he can no longer serve in a government that shows disregard for the rule of law.
Despite the public’s general feeling of betrayal from those in power, a number of Lincolnshire’s MPs remain unwavering in their support for the Prime Minister – citing similar reasons of dealing with Vladimir Putin, addressing the cost of living crisis and allowing Johnson to deliver his manifesto for why he should stay in the job.
Sir Edward Leigh. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Gainsborough Member of Parliament Sir Edward Leigh was again vocal in his backing of the Mr Johnson, saying: “The Prime Minister continues to enjoy my full confidence.
“In the middle of the worst crisis in Europe since the Second World War, it would be madness to give Putin the satisfaction of our Prime Minister being removed.”
Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes, echoed these thoughts and also said that many of the British public voted for the Conservatives in 2019 because of Boris Johnson, stating that voters should be allowed to pass judgement “when the time comes”.
Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Mr Vickers told The Lincolnite: “At the moment, information is limited. We know that the Prime Minister and Chancellor have received fines for a specific event. However, the police investigation continues and we have not yet heard from Sue Gray in full.
“As such, it is too early to pass judgment. I will be waiting for the conclusion of the police investigation and the complete version of the Gray Report before commenting further.
“It is very easy to call for the resignation of the PM without fully thinking through what is in the best interests of the country.”
The Cleethorpes MP added that while he understands the frustration, he would like the public to “keep a proper perspective” given the current state of affairs across the world, and went as far as to say he’s unaware of any evidence that the PM “knowingly misled or lied” in the House of Commons.
“Of course I recognise the distress and heartache of those who have lost loved ones or who were separated for many months but a vacuum at the centre of Government is never a good thing, even more so whilst we are dealing with a European war, where Boris Johnson’s efforts have been pivotal, cost of living issues where there is clearly the need for strong government support and the continuing Covid pandemic.
“I have seen no evidence that the Prime Minister knowingly misled or lied to parliament, he was clear in the Commons when he said that he had been assured that no rules were broken.
“Clearly there have been errors of judgement and events took place that most certainly should not have, but we must keep a proper perspective.
“Many of the votes cast at the last election were personal ones for Boris Johnson so it is best that when the times comes it will be for the voters to pass judgement and that is as it should be.”
Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman.
Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman said: “I wholly understand the anger that my constituents feel with regards to the gatherings in Downing Street at the beginning of the pandemic, particularly after the news of Fixed Penalty Notices being served yesterday.
“I welcome the fact the Prime Minister has apologised, paid the fine and is committed to focusing on delivering the manifesto on which he was elected. It’s also important to note that a number of constituents have contacted me who agree with this.”
Karl McCartney, Member of Parliament for Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Lincoln’s MP Karl McCartney had already gone on record on Wednesday to support Boris Johnson, issuing a statement in which he aimed his disappointment at “those who actually arranged the event” rather than the PM himself.
He also accused leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer of hypocrisy for calling for Mr Johnson’s resignation, saying he “has no sense of the gravity of this situation… regardless of what he himself got up to in Durham around the same time.”
Once again, there were a number of Greater Lincolnshire MPs who ignored The Lincolnite’s request for comment and an explanation to their constituents. Those were:
Victoria Atkins – Louth and Horncastle
Holly Mumby-Croft – Scunthorpe
Lia Nici – Great Grimsby
Gareth Davies – Grantham and Stamford
John Hayes – South Holland and The Deepings
Caroline Johnson – Sleaford and North Hykeham
Andrew Percy – Brigg and Goole
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The final in the latest series of road closures for works on the A1, as part of the Grantham Southern Relief Road project, has been temporarily postponed
A weekend northbound A1 closure was due to be in place between 8pm on Friday, May 20 and 6am on Monday, May 23.
However, Lincolnshire County Council said the closure has been temporarily postponed and once new dates have been confirmed they will be shared.
Works on phase three began in April this year, with the council anticipating that winter 2023 will be the completion date for the relief road.
This will be with the view to reduce congestion and carbon emissions, and provide opportunities for growth in the local economy.
The £102 million Grantham Southern Relief Road project has been led by Lincolnshire County Council, supported by South Kesteven District Council, Highways England, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Network Rail, Homes England, the Department for Transport and local business contributions.
Safety improvements have been carried out at corner where numerous accidents have occurred in East Keal.
The council is looking into what else can be done to prevent motorists from coming off the road at Hall Corner, while police are looking into the possibility of fitting a speed camera.
A cement lorry recently overturned on the corner in February.
Lincolnshire County Council has found a slight dip in the road where Blacksmith Lane meets the A16 could be the reason why heavy vehicles travelling at excessive speed are tipping over.
It is considering whether to smooth out and realign the road, but says it is concious of the impact that closing the A16 would have on traffic and local businesses.
Several safety improvement measures have already been put in place, including ‘slow’ markings, enhanced bend warning signs and improved chevrons.
Problems have been found with the road surface on the corner. | Photo: Google Street View
Lincolnshire Police are assessing whether a speed camera on the corner would be beneficial, and will be taking speed readings in the coming weeks.
Larger barriers and longer safety fencing have been proposed by the public. However, the county council says that in order for it to be big enough to withstand the impact of overturned vehicles, the cost can’t be justified.
Either the local parish council or the country council could also explore whether to fund a reactive speed sign on the location.
Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “We are very thankful to the residents and members of the parish council who have given us their ideas and support in what can be done at Hall Corner. Local knowledge and personal feedback are cornerstones of what we do in terms of delivering the best solutions in the most informed way.
“There has already been much done at this bend to try and mitigate the issues faced and we now have more planned for this particular area that will go on to encourage all road users to drive accordingly in line with the road and conditions.
“I would like to thank everyone involved so far for their input. We will all work together to get the best resolution we can for Hall Corner.”
Whatsapp
