BOURNEMOUTH, Poole and Christchurch MPs have said that a more “balanced approach is required” when considering a second lockdown.

This comes after two of Europe’s biggest economies, France and Germany, are set to implement some form of a national lockdown after a surge in coronavirus deaths.

Whilst neither the MP for Poole Robert Syms, Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood MP or Christopher Chope, MP for Christchurch, swayed from the gravity of the situation, both nationally and locally, all three Conservative politicians stated the importance in not shutting down services completely.

Robert Syms said: “If you look at what France and Germany are doing, they are only really closing off the hospitality sector, but they are trying to keep everything else open.

“The sensible thing would be to continue with the tier system which has only just been employed. It would be daft for a region or area that doesn’t have a high infection rate to go into a lockdown the same as a place with a high infection rate and affects unemployment in these areas and causes trouble.

“I have been talking to ministers today and they have been saying they want to continue with the tier system. The system was only put in place a couple of weeks ago, so we need to see if it works before making any drastic changes.”

Having spoken Matt Hancock, Robert Syms says that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is “watching” the situation in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch but no plans for a local lockdown have been considered.

What I am sceptical about is whether these repressive measures are actually serving a purpose.

“In the Dorset area, the infection rate is still pretty low but there has been a spike in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area but it is still below the national average,” said Robert Syms.

“I have spoken to Matt Hancock and he said that he is watching what is happening in the Bournemouth Poole and Christchurch area but there are no plans for a lockdown to be put in place unless the current situation continues to deteriorate.

“I am sceptical about another lockdown. The first lockdown has cost the government hundreds of billions of pounds and are we that further ahead?"

Whilst speculation continues to build about the likelihood of a national lockdown, uncertainty surrounds the current situation in the BCP area, where a continued rise in Covid-19 cases coupled with the steady increase in the area’s infection rates has led to conjecture about a local lockdown.

Tobias Ellwood added: “Our situation is different to what it was in Spring as we as a country are more disciplined and prepared for the virus, as the majority of people are wearing face coverings and following social distancing rules.

“What is required going forward is a more cognitive approach when it comes to decision making which will not prohibit the national economy and the country as a whole from moving forward.

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“We can only get through this if we stay focussed and disciplines and maintaining that message. That also means that the clarity of that message is critical.”

Whilst Mr Ellwood stated the number of cases in the BCP area have increased, he said that BCP Council need to be “cleverer” in how they keep people safe whilst also allowing the local economy to function.

He said: “You can see that the number of cases in the last month have absolutely increased. What is critical though is looking at the number of cases in the over 60 category.

"If you are able to protect the vulnerable whilst enabling some parts of the local economy to function, then that would be beneficial for everyone.

“I think for the moment, no decision will be made this week. Unless something changes again, the decision will be made after a review has been made next week.

“We have to be cleverer in letting some parts of economy continue to function whilst keeping everyone safe.”

Talking about the feasibility of a second lockdown Christopher Chope revealed he was "sceptical" about the implementation of another strict lockdown, saying that the "repressive measures" employed by the government will not be adhered to by the public.

He said: “The justification of any more restrictions on top of the ones we already have is imperative, unless these restrictions are being made for the benefit of putting less stress on our NHS, which seems to be coping well as the moment.

“What I am sceptical about is whether these repressive measures are actually serving a purpose.

“The failure of the government to provide rational answers and the arbitrary nature of some of the decisions made by the government is adding to public scepticism.”

When suggesting a strategy for the UK, Christopher Chope looked passed what Germany and France are due to enforce and instead looked to Sweden as a blueprint for what could be done both locally and nationally in Britain.

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My Chope added: “The government have got the wrong strategy and Sweden have proved that they have the right one.

“I have made three speeches at the commons on this issue. In Sweden, there are no face coverings, there is a maximum of 50 people in a gathering and restrictions for over 70s are voluntary.

“Since the beginning of October, the number of daily deaths in Sweden ranges between zero and five. They have chosen to trust the people for the population to take responsibility for their safety.

“That is what I would encourage BCP Council to think about, to trust the population and try not to disparage people from living their lives as that is not going to gather much momentum with the public.

“Why should people restrict their social lives and shut down their business or stop working for no ostensible reason?”