New Covid curbs will be put in place, despite a rebellion by 100 Tory MPs.
The Plan B rules will require proof of vaccination or a negative test at large indoor venues in England, and were only passed by the government with help from the Labour opposition.
The rebellion was far larger than Number 10 was expecting and far exceeds the government’s parliamentary majority of 79. It also exceeds the 56 MPs needed to trigger a leadership challenge.
Rebels included almost half of Conservative backbenchers, 13 former cabinet ministers and 26 MPs first elected in 2019. A further 17 abstained, including former prime minister Theresa May.
The result is a major blow for Boris Johnson, as it came just hours after he pleaded with backbenchers to support him.
