Lincolnshire MPs all bar one voted for England's third lockdown last night.

Lincoln MP Karl McCartney was just one of 16 MPs who voted against, compared with 322 in favour.

Supporters of the third national lockdown in ten months included Grantham MP Gareth Davies, Vale of Belvoir MP Alicia Kearns, North Kesteven and Hykeham MP Dr Carolyn Johnson and Deepings MP Sir John Hayes.

But despite voting in favour of lockdown, Sir John contrasted the struggles of small business with supermarkets and online retail giants.

Mr McCartney said after the vote: "This is not democracy as I know it".

His reasoning for voting against the third national lockdown was the negative economic impact on small businesses, the lost classroom days at schools and the outcomes for isolated constituents' mental well-being.

Mr McCartney said he "had no choice in [his] mind and belief, but to vote against" the third lockdown.

"I also cannot in all good conscience ignore the damaging consequences that lockdowns have on the wellbeing of our society – of all ages

"This includes the hugely negative implications for many individuals' psychological wellbeing and economic security,  both of which can have grave consequences for general health.

"Additionally, the mental wellbeing of school pupils is not fully being considered in my view with regard to school closures, and the decision to cancel the various external exams later in this school year."

He added: "In the 21st Century surely we could, and should, have made provisions to ensure these went ahead."

The MP further explained: "There are various reasons for my vote yesterday evening, but especially as a libertarian Conservative, who holds the freedom loving values of the United Kingdom close to my heart, any proposal for restrictions on civil liberties is an extremely difficult decision to make and agree with — especially one which after ten months is extended with no checks for a further three months – a quarter of another year.

"That is not democracy as I know it.

He continued: "I fully understand the threat COVID-19 represents. I do hope that my constituents, the wider Lincolnshire electorate, and of course our fellow citizens of our nation follow the guidelines and laws as now laid out by our Prime Minister and government."

The Lincoln MP finished: "There is light at the end of the tunnel for this crisis. Together, we will win the war against COVID-19, and I of course do hope that this is much sooner rather than later."

In a speech during yesterday's parliamentary debate on lockdown and Covid-19, Sir John spoke of the plight small businesses face during lockdown, contrasting their experience with that of major supermarkets and online retailers.

The Deepings MP also sought reassurance from the Prime Minister that doctor's surgeries will be adequately equipped to deliver the vaccine.

Sir John told the Commons: "Supporting businesses as they endeavour to cope with covid and its multiple challenges has rightly been among the Government's primary priorities.

"A comprehensive package of support, including the job retention scheme, loans, rate holidays, cash grants and a temporary cut in VAT for the hospitality and tourism sectors, has provided a means of survival, but no more than that. This lifeline for livelihoods must not be cut now. Firms that depend on advertising revenue are particularly vulnerable.

"Some 99% of firms in our nation are SMEs. They have a central role, whether it is pubs, family-run hotels, cafés or restaurants, manufacturers or independent local shops. They are at the heart of our economy, and they provide the lifeblood that flows through our communities.

"We must ensure that covid does not further widen existing disparities, advantaging the big at the expense of the small, advancing the national at the expense of the local and the urban to the detriment of the rural.

"In that respect, I repeat what I said earlier to the Prime Minister. We need the vaccine in rural communities. It needs to be delivered locally and accessibly for those who live a long way from large towns and cities.

The MP continued: "SMEs, particularly those in remote areas, face a daily struggle and need continuing support. Contrast for a moment independent, family-run shops, passed down through generations and struggling to cope, with a Tesco executive rejoicing as profits continue to soar.

"Contrast an Amazon director celebrating a 37% increase in their earnings with the owner of a much loved bookshop dutifully distilling and distributing the wisdom of ages and struggling with the strain of debt.

"Schumacher argued that small is beautiful, and small is indeed beautiful, because people are the things that matter most. The Government must try out a new orientation, in which the needs of small, independent family businesses come above the interests of faceless corporations.

"A new challenge brings new chances for cathartic change. At present, the Government are preoccupied with responding to covid and are defined by that to some degree, but we can chart a new normal that is fairer, freer and fraternal—a different kind of social order where social capital matters as much as economic prosperity and where the wellbeing of communities is at the heart of all that Government do."

He added: "As our Prime Minister rightly reiterated, only through determination, perseverance and togetherness will the clouds of this storm clear. We must build a new nation—one nation—based on fraternity at Westminster."

Earlier, Sir John spoke of the 'millions' who live in remote rural places, including Lincolnshire, as he sought reassurance over vaccines.

He said: "The Prime Minister will know that isolation fuels fear, which exacerbates disadvantage, and that only vaccination will bring the safety that assuages those fears. Will he reassure my constituents that local doctors' surgeries will be equipped and supplied so that they are able to vaccinate the vulnerable not later, but sooner?"

The prime minister replied: "Yes, it is our intention that doctors' surgeries, which clearly play a crucial part in the vaccination programme, will be equipped as fast as possible with supplies of the vaccine."

Earlier, in a speech to the House prior to a full debate on the latest lockdown, Mr Johnson told members of parliament that the new variant of COVID-19 was spreading "with frightening ease and speed".

He said: "Our emergence from the lockdown cocoon will not be a big bang, but a gradual unwrapping."

Lockdown legislation will go on until March 31, but not "because we expect to the full national national lockdown to continue until then, but to allow a steady controlled and evidence-led move down through the tiers on a regional basis carefully, a brick by brick," he said.

England officially went into full lockdown early on Wednesday morning.

MPs debated and voted on the new rules retrospectively afterwards.

The government won a large majority, with the number of Conservative MPs voting against being 12 last night, compared with 53 Conservative MPs voting against the Tier system on December 2.