A reader called Alex Body has shared a letter they’ve written to Thérése Coffey MP, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, about the role that lockdown scepticism may have played in the Conservatives’ recent by-election loss in Chesham and Amersham.
Dear Ms. Coffey,
In the wake of the Chesham and Amersham by-election I wanted to write to you to make sure you are not taking your seat for granted.
Whilst much has been reported about the impact of planning law on this particular election result, my analysis is much different.
This seat has not had a turnout of less than fifty thousand since 2005. The turnout in this election was less than forty thousand. The difference in voters between the 2021 and 2019 elections was over eleven-thousand votes. Enough to give the Conservative candidate a majority.
Please understand that there are now millions of people in the UK who are unrepresented by any major party due to the across-the-board support for draconian and hugely damaging pandemic restrictions. Whilst many traditional Conservatives will simply abstain in the next election, please bear in mind that if you continue to support these destructive measures that have brought misery, anxiety, despair and death to so many I, like many others, will actively campaign against your re-election.
The UK recently recorded the lowest age-adjusted deaths on record, and it is now obvious that the vulnerable are protected from this virus. End these restrictions now, or there is no doubt in my mind your party will suffer a crushing defeat at the next election, where millions of your traditional voters will stay at home.
You may be aware of the concept of a ‘Shy Tory Voter’. Please be prepared for the ‘Shy Lockdown Sceptic’. There are millions of us, and we feel it is impossible to support a party that disregards the autonomy and liberty of its citizens.
You still have time to change tack, and I implore you to do so.
With very best wishes,
Alex Brody
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