Yet again the Labour Leadership under Keir Starmer has issued instructions to its MPs to abstain in today’s crucial debate on the Government’s controversial updated Tier System under the COVID-19 Restrictions. This instruction has been issued in spite of Labour criticism around the level of support for business and the failing Track and Trace system.

“If Labour won’t join with Liberal Democrats and others at Westminster in opposing this inadequate Bill then this inadequate Government under Boris Johnson will never change its approach.

“Opposition parties should be holding Johnson’s Tories to account even if it means that the Government loses today’s vote. Pressure needs to be put on this totally inadequate Government to support hard working families by extending the Furlough until at least June of next year, giving support to those up til now excluded from any help at all in the self employed bracket and ensuring that support to small and medium businesses is there to see them through to the end of the Pandemic.”  said the Leader of Walsall’s Liberal Democrats Cllr Ian Shires.

The debate starts at 12.45 pm and is expected to go to the vote after 7.00 pm. We’ll have to see if enough Labour rebels can convince Keir Starmer to climb down off the fence and act as one with Liberal Democrats and others to force the Tories to put health before wealth and influence.