Keswick’s MP praised prime minister Boris Johnson for the “draconian” measures brought in to combat coronavirus as she issued a personal message to the town in which she thanked businesses for saving lives by closing and turning away tourists.
Conservative Trudy Harrison travelled back home to her Copeland constituency on an almost empty train from the capital last night to start working her way through the 300 emails a day she has been receiving on average, plus phone calls and other messages from constituents, since the COVID-19 crisis went into overdrive.
She has been working alongside Mr Johnson throughout it in her role as his parliamentary private secretary and having seen the Coronavirus Bill pass through parliament yesterday, she hinted that even tougher measures lay ahead in restricting the public’s movements before she is required back at Westminster on 21st April for more new emergency legislation.
Mrs Harrison, who has signed up to the NHS voluntary service along with her constituency team, said: “I think the prime minister has responded with incredible speed and leadership and I have seen his determination first hand. No prime minister would ever want to enforce such draconian measures on their people and certainly not our Boris Johnson – a celebrated libertarian – but to save many tens of thousands of lives it has been essential and there may be further measures ahead.
“I was pleased he took the decision to address the nation, something I had called for as sadly, far too many people were not taking the social distancing advice seriously. We saw the Lakes’ towns and villages packed last weekend with visitors and locals alike – risking preventable deaths. It was right to take such serious action so swiftly to protect our NHS and every part of the UK and beyond.
“I know how hard these measures will affect Keswick, a town and community usually so welcoming to visitors. Last Saturday I contacted Cumbria Tourism to ask them to do something I hope they never have to do again – to say, to businesses and visitors, that Cumbria and the Lake District is NOT open for business. I would like to commend all those responsible business owners and individuals throughout our community who are saving thousands of lives by their actions, knowing it will hurt, despite Government’s best efforts at boosting the economy with unprecedented financial packages.
“I would also like to thank everyone playing their part in this national emergency. We will get through it and Keswick knows more than most that growing stronger after managing a crisis is possible if we pull together and look after each other.”
