SIR: One hundred Conservative MP’s voted against forcing spectators at large events to show evidence of having taken certain precautions to help prevent the spread of the Covid virus, predominantly on the grounds that it curtails civil liberties. These are largely the same Conservative MPs who recently voted for the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill that restricts public protests and gives the police exceptional powers that can conceivably forbid peaceful demonstrations. This bill has the potential to completely change the public’s relationship with the police, traditionally one of consent, to one of mistrust and police coercion.

In the light of their conversion to the ideology of defending civil liberties I would suggest that the 100 Conservative MPs press their government to reconsider the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill.

Alan Whittle,

South View Road,

Oliver's Battery,

Winchester