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Don't put party politics above need for lockdown, Wolverhampton MP warns Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson has been warned not to put off imposing a national lockdown just because Labour are calling for it.

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Pat McFadden

Pat McFadden, Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East, said the Prime Minister could not let party politics get in the way of what is best for the country.

Pressure is building on the Prime Minister after Wales announced it would follow Northern Ireland by imposing a time-limited 'circuit-breaker' lockdown from Friday.

Mr Johnson has insisted he does not believe a national lockdown in England is the right way to go.

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Labour leader Keir Starmer called for a short national lockdown last week and believes it is the only way to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Shadow City Minister Mr McFadden said the PM should not refuse to impose one if it is in the national interest just because it could hand Labour a victory on the argument.

He also believes there is confusion over the Government's tier system, which has seen most of the Black Country and Birmingham placed in Tier 2, banning mixing indoors.

Mr McFadden said: "It is now a month since Sage [the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies] recommended a two-to-three-week circuit-breaker. During that time the infection rate has continued to increase.

"One thing I hope doesn't happen is that the Government refuses to follow the scientific advice simply because Labour has called for it to do so."