Thank you for contacting me regarding the recent vote on extra Covid restrictions.

I have been clear throughout this pandemic that local people have followed the rules and made extraordinary sacrifices to help protect us and our loved ones and keep the pressure off the NHS. I have also encouraged everyone to get vaccinated as this is preventing thousands of deaths.

I have maintained a consistent position that I believe that people are perfectly capable of making their own decisions to protect their health and welfare and I have not voted for measures like compulsory mask-wearing, vaccination passports and compulsory vaccinations.  I also think that the NHS and social care will suffer as staff leave their jobs rather than be vaccinated as has been predicted by the Government in its own impact assessment.

I will continue to listen to all views and follow all the data as we hone our national response to this pandemic.

Thank you for contacting me on this important matter.