CONSERVATIVE MPs have rejected attempts to make the Government publish its internal review of its handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Labour argued that publishing the document would ensure better scrutiny of the Government’s response to the Indian Covid-19 variant.
But the Opposition’s Queen’s Speech amendment seeking the release of the review was rejected in the Commons by 367 to 264, majority 103.
Wrexham and Flintshire MPs - Sarah Atherton, Simon Baynes, Rob Roberts, and Mark Tami
How North Wales and Cheshire West MPs voted:
- Mike Amesbury, Labour, Weaver Vale - Aye
- Sarah Atherton, Conservative, Wrexham - No
- Simon Baynes, Conservative, Clwyd South - No
- Virginia Crosbie, Conservative, Ynys Mon - No
- James Davies, Conservative, Vale of Clwyd - No
- David Jones, Conservative, Clwyd West - No
- Justin Madders, Labour, Ellesmere Port and Neston - Aye
- Chris Matherson, Labour, Chester - Aye
- Robin Millar, Conservative, Aberconwy - No
- Rob Roberts, Conservative, Delyn - No
- Mark Tami, Labour, Alyn & Deeside - Aye
- Liz Saville-Roberts, Plaid Cymru, Dwyfor Meirionnydd - Aye
- Hywel Williams, Plaid Cymru, Arfon - Aye
Cheshire West MPs - Justin Madders, Chris Matheson, and Mike Amesbury
The failed bid came as a separate report by the National Audit Office (NAO) found that the pandemic had “laid bare existing fault lines within society and has exacerbated inequalities”.
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth referenced Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s former senior adviser as he told the Commons: “For the first time in my life I think I find myself agreeing with Mr Dominic Cummings.”
MPs Liz Saville-Roberts, James Davies and Simon Baynes
He added: “Which is why our amendment today calls for the publication of the Government’s lessons learnt review.
“Not so we can try and undermine the Government or find some hole to use across the despatch box, but so we can learn the lessons in our effort to contain variants and ensure we are better prepared for the future.”
The NAO report found the Government lacked a “playbook” for many aspects of its response to the pandemic, including managing a mass disruption to schooling.
Conservative MPs David Jones, Robin Millar, and Virginia Crosbie, and Plaid Cymru's Hywel Williams
It also said greater transparency was needed to ensure the Government “can assess whether it is making a difference”.
Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, said an unreformed adult social care system, workforce shortages and the financial pressure felt by central and local government “all require long-term solutions” after the coronavirus crisis.
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