Six MPs could quit Government in Covid restrictions rebellion

As many as six MPs could quit as members of the Government next week in a "super-Tuesday" series of votes on new Covid restrictions, which are deeply unpopular with the Tory backbenches.

The Telegraph has learned that at least six parliamentary private secretaries are preparing to defy Boris Johnson and vote against elements of his "Plan B" restrictions to combat the omicron variant in England.

Government whips will this weekend ring around backbench Tories to gauge the level of support for the votes on Tuesday. The votes will take place hours before the introduction of controversial Covid vaccine passports at 6am on Wednesday.

Mark Spencer, the chief whip, is understood to have held talks with senior members of the 1922 committee of backbench Tories on Thursday to try to limit the damage to the Government.

Mr Johnson's strategy is to have at least three different votes on the different measures to try to lessen the damage caused by any mass rebellion. 

A WhatsApp message sent to Tory MPs on Friday set out how the Government is planning individual votes on face masks, vaccine passports and mandatory vaccines for NHS workers. 

There could also be a fourth vote – which could offer cheer to some rebels – to switch from requiring self-isolation after being "pinged" due to contact with someone with Covid, to daily testing and then being released.

Between 60 and 80 Conservative MPs could vote against the most unpopular measures such as the vaccine passports, including six parliamentary private secretaries, in what would be one of Mr Johnson's biggest Commons embarrassments.

The rebellion is set to comfortably outstrip the 55 Conservative MPs who voted against a tougher tiered system of virus restrictions for England last December.

The Covid Recovery Group of lockdown-sceptic Tory MPs will hold a meeting in Parliament on Tuesday to consider the latest data ahead of the votes.

Mark Harper, the group's chairman, said on Friday: "The Government still has not set out any evidence to support the 'Plan B' measures. 

"The Government has also not set out an exit strategy from these restrictions. Given that Covid and variants will be here forever, it is not sustainable to have seasonal on/off restrictions forever."

The scale of the likely rebellion means Mr Johnson will probably have to rely on the support of Labour to ensure that the restrictions pass. 

He is also facing a testing "end of term" meeting with fractious backbenchers when the 1922 committee convenes on Wednesday afternoon. 

Allies said that – with gossip about leadership challenges in the air – Mr Johnson had to hold his hands up over the recent rows over Downing Street parties and promise to put matters right.

He will also have to convince backbenchers that the Covid restrictions, which are intended to have a "sunset" at the end of next month, will not be continued any longer than necessary.

One backbencher said it was vital that Mr Johnson showed he was "listening" to concerns at the meeting, a day before a possible defeat in the North Shropshire byelection.

Mr Johnson's authority as Tory leader and Prime Minister is being questioned openly as never before.

In a revealing interview, Chris Green, a Red Wall Tory MP, could not tell his local radio station that he backed Mr Johnson. Asked whether he "had confidence" in the Prime Minister personally, there was a six-second pause. "That's a big question," Mr Green said. Asked again, he said: "I think the silence does speak volumes."

On Friday, one normally loyal Tory MP said of Mr Johnson: "He is in a death spiral. It is the beginning of the end for him."