Boris Johnson began the week with an optimistic message of an end to the English lockdown and hopes of a vaccine breakthrough to rid us of coronavirus restrictions altogether. However, until then his revised three-tier system is becoming a major cause of frustration for Tory MPs. The three tiers have been bulked up from their pre-lockdown incarnation. While gyms and hairdressers now can remain open under any tier, socialising is stricter than before.
The level of disquiet means No. 10 will likely have to offer more to backbenchers
However, the point of contention among Tory MPs is which areas are under which tier. The hope among many in the parliamentary party was that a four-week lockdown would allow a significant relaxation of restrictions in its aftermath. Instead, a lot of areas are moving into tighter restrictions than they were in before lockdown. Only three areas are in Tier 1 – Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and the Scilly Isles.
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