Boris Johnson faces Commons revolt over emergency coronavirus laws
Government hopes to fast-track sweeping powers through parliament within days
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Cross-party MPs will mount a Commons revolt over emergency coronavirus legislation that would hand sweeping powers to the government for two years.
Former Tory cabinet ministers David Davis and Andrew Mitchell have signed a cross-party amendment to curb the emergency powers for the government after 12 months.
The move presents a headache for Boris Johnson, who is hoping to fast-track the legislation through parliament within days without a vote.
But the sweeping powers in the bill have caused disquiet amongst MPs.
The legislation includes powers for police to detain people with coronavirus and for care providers to lower their standards to prioritise resources.
Mr Davis, a long-standing campaigner on civil liberties, backed the amendment put down by Labour’s Harriet Harman, which puts a “sunset” clause on the legislation after a year.
The Liberal Democrats have also put forward an amendment requiring MPs to renew the emergency powers after three months, as well as a bid to compel the PM to seek an extension to the Brexit transition period.
Ed Davey, the party’s acting leader, told The Independent: “New emergency powers are absolutely necessary to deal with this crisis, but Liberal Democrats do not believe handing over such far-reaching powers to Boris Johnson unchecked is in the public’s interest.
“Liberal Democrats are therefore seeking cross-party support for our proposal to limit the new powers to three months, after which they would have to be renewed by a vote of the country’s democratically elected MPs.”
He said extending the Brexit transition period would allow the government to focus on the coronavirus outbreak and end uncertainty for businesses and citizens.
Labour MP Chris Bryant has also sought to amend the bill to allow MPs a vote on the legislation every two months, which has cross-party support.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments