MP for Kenilworth and Southam Jeremy Wright has today issued a statement to his constituents on the second national lockdown.

The second lockdown will start today (Thursday, November 5) and was announced by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson last Saturday.

As a result, pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops will have to close for four weeks until December 2.

Unlike the first national lockdown, schools and universities will remain open.

Parliament voted on the second lockdown yesterday, the Prime Minister won the vote 516 to 39, a majority of 477. Whilst Labour supported the bill, 34 members of the Conservative party did not.

MP for Kenilworth and Southam Jeremy Wright voted in favour of the increased restrictions, and has today written to his constituents to explain.

"Covid-19 has presented us all with unpalatable choices and Parliament more than most. I voted to impose further restrictions, nationwide, during November because I believe they are unavoidable if we are to succeed in reducing the spread of the virus to manageable levels."

Mr Wright goes on to say that cases are on the increase not just in Warwickshire, but nationally.

"In those circumstances, Government and Parliament must act.

"That is not just because of our duty to the most vulnerable among us, who will suffer most from substantial increases in serious cases of Covid infection, but also because an overwhelmed NHS will be unable to deal with other illnesses and even accidents that the rest of us may fall victim to."

When the government issued new guidelines earlier in October, pursuing a regional approach Mr Wright was in favour of this however, he has now said "The instinct to avoid damaging restrictions in areas where infection rates were relatively low was the right one, but it is clear that this is no longer a sustainable approach because of the speed at which the virus is spreading everywhere."

If you would like to read the statement in full please follow this link.