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Today Chris Chope MP will once again use arcane procedure to block a Bill that would amend the 1989 Children Act to include FGM on the list of things (like forced marriage or domestic violence) for which the courts can issue protection orders if they think a child is at risk. 1/5
The Bill has been scrutinised fully in the Lords, and is supported now by Government.
Chope has been begged not to block it by FGM campaigners. 2/5
Chope has been begged not to block it by FGM campaigners. 2/5
People ask why he would do such a thing (and indeed why he has similarly blocked motions to debate Hillsborough, pardon Alan Turing, ban the use oif wild animals in circuses, target ‘upskirting’ and much much more besides. 3/5
His argument is that he simply wants Bills properly debated. But it is a pretence. If today’s Bill goes through, we will have Committee Stage, Report Stage and Third Reading – all of which involve scrutiny and debate. If it is blocked, there is no debate. 4/5
And if he is acting on principle, as he wants people to believe, why does he often allow Bills put forward by his friends to pass through unchallenged?
5/5
5/5
As anticipated, Chope objected to the FGM Bill. Just appalling.
(In case anyone is tempted to believe he has a principled objection to Private Member’s Bills, please note that once again he did NOT object to those put forward by his friends.)
