Senior Tory MPs warned the government yesterday that its “safety-first” approach to coronavirus was putting tens of thousands of businesses at risk of going under.
Growing numbers of Conservative backbenchers are becoming nervous that the impact of the lockdown on the economy could be devastating.
Boris Johnson has made it clear that it will not be lifted unless several conditions are met, including a steady drop in the number of deaths and infections. His priority is to avoid a second wave of the pandemic.
The government’s warnings have not been enough to quell increasing disquiet in the party. The MPs who run the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers held a private meeting at which they unanimously expressed deep concern.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the committee treasurer,
