Today, MPs faced one of the most divisive votes of this Parliament, namely the measures relating to the Omicron variant. Having been repeatedly asked how I intended to vote, I have spent much of the week reading the correspondence that I have received, counselling widely and taking advice. Given that all arguments are deeply polarised and that opinions vary wildly, this has not been easy.
Over the past few days, I have been asked why I voted against the Mercer/Jarvis Amendment on visa fees for foreign and commonwealth soldiers. Some of the criticism I have received is ill-informed and the facts are somewhat different so I wish to set the record straight. It is also not true that I ‘rebelled’ against it - As a member of the Government, I voted with the Whip, along with the vast majority of my colleagues.
Click here to read my statement in full
