Second lockdown is "a disaster," says senior Tory Sir Desmond Swayne

3 November 2020, 09:29 | Updated: 3 November 2020, 09:32

Second lockdown is "a disaster," says senior Tory Sir Desmond Swayne

By Fiona Jones

The second lockdown will be a "disaster for the economy with a consequence worse than the disease itself", senior Tory MP Sir Desmond Swayne told LBC.

Senior Tory Sir Desmond Swayne is among a group of rebel MPs against the second national lockdown, which will begin on Thursday and last for four weeks until 2 December.

He told Nick that while he is unsure how many party members oppose Boris Johnson's latest move, they will "make a fist of it" with an aim to "win the argument."

"The Prime Minister was right first time, [a second lockdown] is a disaster," Sir Desmond said, "as for the notion there should be an economist on SAGE, the reality is if you ask a scientist how do you stop a virus that spreads by human contact, their answer will be stop human contact.

Read more: England lockdown: What you can and can't do under month-long rules

What do the new lockdown rules mean for me?

"It's for politicians to say well actually, the consequence of them stopping human contact is a disaster for the economy with a consequence that is worse than the disease itself."

Nick asked why Boris Johnson has announced a lockdown if Sir Desmond's words are true.

"I think when you have this overpowering presentation of figures and doom and gloom, and you're the Prime Minister and you're going to be responsible for the hospitals being overwhelmed and people dying in corridors, and ambulances outside, I think that presentation of that scientific establishment is probably overpowering," Sir Desmond said.

He posited that the PM should look to the "eminent" body of scientists who claim the SAGE committee have got their projections wrong.

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' as Israeli President labels 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’.

Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' says President, labelling 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage joins farmers and their tractors at Belmont Farm in north London

Farage urges farmers to 'keep the pressure up' as tractor protest hits Westminster over Labour’s ‘family farm tax’

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

Parish councillor resigns after being accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet cat

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

‘It made me feel physically sick’: Cat owner’s fury at parish councillor accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet

Nick Ferrari Reflects on an Unforgettable Journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust Survivor Arek Hersh

Nick Ferrari reflects on an unforgettable journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Exclusive
Online extremism under scrutiny: The Prime Minister calls for tougher regulations to curb access to violent content following the Southport murders.

Terrorism ‘kill guides’ shared in social media groups targeting 'loners' and people 'obsessed with violence'

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Exclusive
The Chagos Islands deal is set to be a 'disaster' for US-UK relations, a former Home Secretary has said

'Surrender' of Chagos Islands to Mauritius would be 'disaster' for Labour's relationship with Trump, Braverman says

Exclusive
Britain's deal to cede the Chagos Islands has been cast into doubt

Labour deal to hand over Chagos Islands thrown into doubt as Starmer gives Trump time to 'consider' agreement

Exclusive
The UK and Mauritius said they have made "good progress" on a revised agreement, with Mauritian PM Navin Ramgoolam claiming the UK wants it finalised before Donald Trump is sworn in as president on January 20.

UK 'mid negotiation' over Chagos deal as government deny they're rushing deal through before Trump takes office

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves faces growing scrutiny as market jitters spark calls for fiscal clarity

Rachel Reeves faces growing pressure as market turmoil raises questions over Labour's fiscal credibility

Exclusive
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign

Reform is “fixed” in favour of Nigel Farage, former deputy leader claims as he hits back at former boss

Reform is 'fixed' in favour of Nigel Farage, former deputy leader claims as he hits back at former boss