Trouble ahead for Boris Johnson as Tory MPs chafe against coronavirus rules

The government easily saw off a rebellion in the Commons last night but has postponed another, potentially more embarrassing, vote planned for today, writes John Rentoul

The PM has struggled to explain new Covid restrictions (AFP/Getty)

The rumbling rebellion among Conservative MPs over coronavirus rules has not yet erupted into a serious challenge to the prime minister’s authority. Last week, Sir Graham Brady, spokesperson for Tory backbenchers, declared himself satisfied by promises from Matt Hancock, the health secretary, that future changes to national rules would be put to a vote in parliament if possible. 

Last night, a revolt against the regulations imposing the “rule of six” was easily defeated. The rebels wanted children under 12 to be excluded from the rule, as in Scotland and Wales. Sir Graham, chair of the Tory backbenchers’ 1922 Committee, led the defiance of his party’s whip. 

However, the rebellion was threatening enough to persuade the government to postpone the vote planned for today on the law requiring pubs and restaurants in England to shut at 10pm.