Bassetlaw MP urges everyone to work together to beat coronavirus

As I write this article, we are living through a situation that will affect the lives of every single person in this country, writes Brendan Clarke-Smith.
Brendan Clarke-Smith, Bassetlaw MP. Photo: London Portrait Photoqrapher-DAVBrendan Clarke-Smith, Bassetlaw MP. Photo: London Portrait Photoqrapher-DAV
Brendan Clarke-Smith, Bassetlaw MP. Photo: London Portrait Photoqrapher-DAV

Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary measures and politicians from all parties must come together to work for the benefit of the nation.

I have been inundated with messages from constituents and we are currently working around the clock to make sure that we are as prepared as we can be for the pandemic.

First of all I want to thank you, the people of Bassetlaw for your patience, understanding and calmness in the face of adversity.

It is so important that we all follow the official guidance and the vast majority of people realise that the advice of experts should be listened to.

I am not a healthcare professional or scientist, so I am doing exactly the same.

London is very much at the centre of the pandemic in the UK and the London Underground is half-empty and many of the restaurants and bars have either closed or completely scaled down their operations.

Parliament continues, however, because it must.

I have listened to all of the feedback you have been given me, and in common with other MPs have been discussing this with the Government.

This is why it is so important to carry on and why, once these emergency measures have been agreed, that we are still in Parliament to pass this legislation.

You are also playing your part by working to keep things going back home.

Like you, I fear for the health of my family, friends and neighbours.

I fear for the local businesses that are fighting to stay afloat and I fear for the economy and how we will recover from this global crisis.

But I also see a great deal of hope that we will get through this and I genuinely believe that our strategy is the right thing to do.

The package of measures, which is continually changing with each passing day, will mitigate some of these challenges and as a proud nation we will recover and come back stronger.

We are facing a period where things will get worse before they get better, but together we can do it.

Brendan Clarke-Smith is MP for Bassetlaw.