Greater London is too large and diverse to be treated as one place under local lockdown rules. Boroughs, like Bromley, shouldn't be subjected to new restrictions unless they are needed locally.
If the London Borough of Bromley is to go into the next tier of restrictions, it should be because of local circumstances. This would be determined by a combination of the infection rate, hospitalisations and covid-related deaths.
We are not currently at that level so it would be inappropriate and unfair on the residents of the Orpington constituency to move into High tier. After sacrificing so much to stop the spread of the virus, it would be wrong to unnecessarily impose extra restrictions on Orpington because of other parts of London.
Yesterday, I wrote to Matt Hancock asking what scientific evidence there is to support Sadiq Khan's belief that the capital should be treated as one place under local lockdown rules. I told the Health Secretary that Londoners are no longer moving as they once did. Nor is the virus. Borough variations should be allowed.
I am pleased ITV News London visited Downe to report on my letter to Matt Hancock and why we need a local approach, not a London-wide lockdown.