Tories 'Showed Contempt' For Public By Deserting Commons During Covid Debate, Says Labour

Labour has hit out after Tory backbenchers deserted the House of Commons during a debate on extra cash support for workers coping with coronavirus.

Not a single Conservative MP other than one lone minister was present for sections of the Opposition Day debate, which was on state funding for northern areas suffering lockdown, replacements for furlough and new help for the self-employed and those facing eviction.

Coronavirus social distancing means that no more than 50 MPs are allowed to attend the Commons chamber at one time and when they do they should be two metres apart.

But even with that restriction, it’s highly unusual for the Tories – who have an 80 seat majority – to abandon their benches totally.

Just minutes before the Labour debate on jobs and Covid, the Tory benches were as full as possible for prime minister’s question time.

Alex Davies-Jones, Labour MP for Pontypridd, took a snap of the situation on her phone.

She tweeted: “Appreciate there are social distancing guidelines in the chamber at the moment, but this is taking it a bit far! The Tory minister is sat alone in the Chamber right now. Just goes to show how little care the Tories have for seeking financial support for their constituents…”

Normally during an Opposition Day debate, Tory backbenchers would be primed to make hostile interventions and to try to reflect their greater numbers. The Tories have 364 MPs to Labour’s mere 201.

Labour’s motion demanded greater support for the north of England, the Midlands, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as they deal with extra restrictions.

It added the job support scheme should be...

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