Doncaster MP who co-signed letter calling for a coronavirus restriction exit plan says it's 'not a rebellion' against PM

Doncaster Tory MP Nick Fletcher is among 50 MPs who have urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to provide a roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions and to commit to ‘levelling up the north’.
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Fletcher, who became the borough’s first Tory MP in over 50 years in December, joined dozens of fellow northern Conservative MPs in a call to action for much needed investment for areas like his.

But Mr Fletcher said the letter was ‘not a rebellion’ against his leader and was still committed to the tiered Covid-19 restrictions.

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The call includes that Government set out a ‘clear roadmap’ out of lockdown, prioritise accelerating key road, rail and social infrastructure projects and job creation along with a ‘tailored economic recovery plan’ for the north of England.

Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher said the letter was ‘not a rebellion’ against Prime Minister Boris Johnson and was still committed to the tiered Covid-19 restrictions.Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher said the letter was ‘not a rebellion’ against Prime Minister Boris Johnson and was still committed to the tiered Covid-19 restrictions.
Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher said the letter was ‘not a rebellion’ against Prime Minister Boris Johnson and was still committed to the tiered Covid-19 restrictions.

The demands come in a sharply-worded letter to the Prime Minister from the newly-launched Northern Research Group of Conservative MPs, led by ex-Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry.

The call for investment runs along similar lines to what other Labour MPs have called for in the past including support from regional mayors in South Yorkshire, Liverpool and Manchester.

“The letter which other northern MPs and I signed on Monday was designed to reinforce our support for the Government’s levelling up agenda while also reiterating the importance not to let the Covid-19 obscure plans to level-up the country,” Mr Fletcher said.

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“After all, dozens of other northern MPs and I were elected on a platform to make a real difference to our communities by improving infrastructure and opportunities for voters.

Eventually, we will get through this pandemic. However, despite the fantastic support provided by the Treasury over the last seven months, we need a Northern Economic Recovery Plan which would transform our road, rail and industrial infrastructure. This will ensure that the northern economy can recover quickly from the effects of the pandemic.

“There have been some comments in the media that this letter represents a ‘rebellion’. However, that could not be further from the truth.

“I remain supportive of the Government’s tiering system, but also believe that people across the north should have a clearer idea of how we can leave Tier 3 and a guarantee from the Government that levelling up is still a key priority.”

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