Leeds MP calls for lockdown easing to come early to allow Jewish people to mark Passover with family

Fabian Hamilton, the Labour MP for Leeds North East, has asked for the outdoor mixing date, set out in Monday’s government roadmap as March 29, to be moved back two days.

Seder night, the beginning of Passover commemorations, is marked on March 27, traditionally with a family dinner where Torah passages are read and bitter herbs eaten.

Last year, it was one of the first major religious festivals to take place under the first lockdown restriction rules.

March 29 is planned to be the first date households can mix outdoors, under the rule of six, in public spaces or gardens, but no indoor mixing is permitted until May.

Mr Hamilton, himself a non-practising Jew, said he is going to try to ask Prime Minister Boris Johnson to change the date to accommodate Jewish families if he is called at Prime Minister’s Questions.

He said: “It’s really important, both to religious Jews and non-religious alike. My plea to the Prime Minister, given that it means so much to them, is can he consider allowing two households to mix two days early?

“It’s a shame that that date was picked almost at random. I’d be saying the same if it had been Eid, or any festival where any family or friends come together.

“If it had been two weeks before, no one would have complained.

“I hope that the Prime Minister will listen.

“If scientists say it’d mean more deaths, I’d argue against it too, but it’s not going to do that.”

A government spokesperson said: “Over the course of the last year, people of all faiths have missed out on being able to celebrate their festivals with friends and family. We are phasing in a gradual, cautious way.

“Every extra day in lockdown will help to drive down transmission for longer, helping to ensure that we ease restrictions in the safest way possible. We recognise that this is very difficult - particularly for Jewish people who will not be able to share their Seders for the second year in succession.

“Changes to the rules from 29 March will enable people to see friends and family outdoors over the remainder of the Passover festival.”