A BASILDON MP has shared why he will vote for the new restrictions in the House of Commons today.

Stephen Metcalfe, Tory MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has been writing to constituents who are against the second lockdown announced by the Prime Minister at the weekend.

Depending on the vote by MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon, England will enter a second lockdown from midnight tonight.

Mr Metcalfe said: "I fully recognise there are many who feel strongly that this is the wrong course of action and should be opposed.

"I respect that view and understand people’s concern that the cure could be potentially worse than the disease but feel we must take action now to avoid further damage at some later point.

"The second coronavirus peak that we have seen around the world has shown us all that we are going to be dealing with the coronavirus for the long-term.   

"Models of our scientists suggest that unless we act now, we could see deaths over the winter which will be twice as bad (or more) than the first wave.

"However, I must add that it is not just about deaths but also hospitalisations which are rising rapidly and putting great strain on the NHS. 

"If left unchecked, we could see hospitalisations at a level which could overwhelm the NHS and mean that choice would have to be made about who does and does not receive treatment."

Mr Metcalfe said there was "no alternative" but to take action at a national level.

His comments come as Southend West MP Sir David Amess said he was "horrified" by the announcement.

He said: "We had hoped we could manage the situation with our regional system of alert levels and allow as many people to live as normal a life as possible.

"That’s because a national lockdown is not cost-free - not only in terms of jobs, businesses, and livelihoods, but also the impact on mental health and loneliness."

He added: "We will get through this – but we must act now to contain this autumn surge. We are not going back to the full-scale lockdown of March and April – it is less prohibitive and less restrictive.

"But from Thursday the basic message is the same – stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives."