THE SNP’s Westminster leader was told Question Time is not the “Ian Blackford Show” after speaking for little over two minutes – despite the Tory MP on the panel being allowed to contribute for nearly three minutes just seconds before.
During a discussion on England’s delayed June 21 lockdown easing and its impact on businesses and those in the arts, backbench Tory MP and chair of the Covid Recovery Group Mark Harper argued the UK needs to learn to live with the virus.
Harper, who led the Tory rebellion against Government restrictions this week, argued for quicker easing of restrictions.
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Mark spoke at length for nearly 3 minutes, arguing for a speedier unlocking of restrictions in England.
“I’m afraid the brutal truth is some people will get Covid even if they’ve been vaccinated, and of those people some people will become ill and I’m afraid some people will tragically die,” he told the panel.
“At some point we’ve got to learn to live with this virus, uncomfortable though it is, and I think we should have started that process on June 21.”
Harper contributed for around two minutes and 53 seconds and took questions from Labour’s Jones and host Fiona Bruce throughout.
After he concluded speaking, Bruce said: “Ian you’ve been harrumphing all through that,” and prompted him to respond.
Blackford described Harper’s claims as “chilling”, adding: “If Mark and his colleagues had got his way then the death rate in this country would increase. It is condemning people to death.”
The SNP MP went on to argue that the failure to close the borders is the cause of the Delta variant taking root and leading to longer restrictions than originally planned.
He also touched on the UK Government’s failure to ensure everyone is entitled to support during the pandemic.
“One of the things which is really important in all of this Fiona, is we’ve got three million people in the United Kingdom who’ve been excluded from financial support for over a year, and a lot of them are working in the arts profession,” he said.
“Now there are elements I would applaud of the furlough scheme up until now. It’s worked well, it’s kept people off the unemployment register, but I’m absolutely disgraced and outraged that so many of our constituents have not had a penny of help from this government and people are really struggling. And the Government’s got to accept responsibilities for those that are freelancers, those working in the arts sector. And the final point I will make –“
At this point, Bruce cut in: “Very briefly, because I want to get to the audience and they won’t have time to get a word in.”
Blackford continued, discussing his concerns for businesses facing debt after over a year of restrictions. He was cut off once again by the presenter, who said: “Briefly Ian. I’ve got to let other people. This can't just be the Ian Blackford Show.”
As he went to continue, Bruce cut him off altogether, saying: “Okay, alright. Let me come to the audience. Ian, we really want to hear what you say. But if you speak at that length no-one else is going to get a word in.”
Blackford had contributed for approximately two minutes and 12 seconds at that stage.
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
The episode and focus on the delayed unlocking comes as it emerged that Wales would be slowing its own easing of restrictions.
Measures in Wales will not be lifted for another few weeks amid a rise in cases of the Delta variant.
Meanwhile England will remain at Step 3 for a further four weeks until July 19.
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This means a continuation of existing restrictions such as the rule of six, or two households, for gatherings indoors as well as limits on numbers for sports events, pubs and cinemas.
In Scotland, the next full review of the level of restrictions is due to take place next week, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already said the move to the lowest level is “likely” to be pushed back by three weeks.
She said it was “unlikely” any area would see restrictions eased on June 28 – the date it had been hoped all of Scotland would move into level 0 restrictions.
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