MP Henry Smith: 'Clarity is needed' for travelling abroad

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Appearing on GB News this morning, MP Henry Smith was extremely honest about the travel rules currently in place. He said: “I consider myself reasonably well-versed in all this stuff and even I find this a headache.”

Representing Crawley, home of the second busiest airport in the country, the MP stated he was supposed to head off on holidays on Saturday, but he wasn’t sure he would be able to.

He said: “I should be going to Spain on Saturday. But I’m slightly on tenterhooks as to whether this will be possible. I hope it will be.”

He was quick to add that he hoped to be “doing my part to support the industry.”

The Government is expected to go back to the basic green, red and orange system this week.

READ MORE: Do children need a PCR test to travel?

The watchlist system has created a lot of confusion, and even anger in France, with fully-jabbed French travellers still required to quarantine on arrival, the only European country still with the restriction.

Going back to the traffic light system could put France back on the menu, presenter Kirsty Gallacher said.

On GB News, everyone agreed that clarity was needed.

MP Henry Smith said: “Clarity is definitely what we need.”

“A straightforward system that’s easy to understand, protects public health in the UK but at the same time allows international travel where it’s safe to do so to support jobs in the aviation and travel sectors and also the wider economy as well.”

Talks of France possibly being a travel option again before the end of the summer were welcome.

Smith said: “France is a major market for the UK. I think it’s important that travel to France and other key markets be facilitated and as easy as possible.”

The MP laid the blame on the Home Office for the extremely cautious approach to travel of the UK.

He said: “The over-abundance of caution is coming from departments like health and the home office.”

Asked about the long queues seen at Heathrow, with some reaching a quarter of a mile, he believed Britons should expect disruption.

He said: “We have to expect some disruption. Things have not returned to normal yet.”

To make things go faster and make travel easier, the Crawley MP had some ideas.

He explained: “I think we should have an extended green list with rapid antigen testing, which you could back up with PCR in the rare case of a positive result.”

While Henry Smith is full of ideas, he remains as confused as everyone else.

Hoping to be allowed to go on his Spanish holiday this weekend, he said he was waiting for updates from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
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