Thread by @PoliceBillAll

Here's a quick rundown of the changes to Part 3 of the #PolicingBill last night. Thread below!

#PoliceBill #ProtestIsNotACrime

There are a number of government amendments which were accepted. Most of these seek to tighten measures or to define key terms. These were accepted without a vote.

There were four wins which we need to maintain -- that is, amendments where the govt lost in the Lords, but MPs could reverse the change in Ping Pong.

1. Noise. The significant part is gone, although there are a few lingering bits which need to be neatened up. This was amendment 115, agreed to 261-166.

2. Clause 57, which is on public assemblies, has been taken OUT of the Bill. Amendment 132, agreed to 238-171.

3. Protesting outside of Parliament will be allowed (with permission). Amendment 133A agreed 236-158. Amendment 133B is consequential and agreed without a vote.

4. Clause 62, which is on one person protests, has been taken OUT of the Bill. Amendment 147 agreed without a vote.

Then there are the new amendments which were inserted into the Bill by the govt before Christmas. Because these are new amendments, they have not been seen in the House of Commons. MPs cannot introduce them during Ping Pong -- so this was their only chance to be included.

1. New offence of locking on. Amendment 148, disagreed 163-216.
Amendment 149 was consequential on that amendment (ie, really part of the same thing) and so was not moved. These two amendments cannot be re-inserted by MPs.

2. Wilful obstruction of the highway. Amendment 150.
In this case, Labour put down an amendment to the amendment -- they suggested that it should only apply to roads in the strategic roads network, which are motorways and a few other roads maintained by Highways England.
(cont)

As if usual practice, the amendment to the amendment was taken first. So, first Peers voted on whether "highway" should actually be "strategic roads network". That was amendment 150A, agreed 216-160.
Then amendment 150 (the main amendment, now altered) was agreed without a vote.

This means that wilful obstruction of roads in the strategic roads network (aka motorways) will be in the draft Bill passed to the House of Commons.

3. Obstruction of major transport works. Amendment 151, disagreed 154-208.
This will not go to the Commons, and MPs will not be able to re-insert it into the Bill.

4. Interference with the use or operation of key national infrastructure. Amendment 152, disagreed 153-198.
This will not go to the Commons, and MPs will not be able to re-insert it into the Bill.

However, amendment 153, which set out the types of key national infrastructure, was agreed without a vote. Perhaps it should not have been. It will be meaningless without amendment 152.

5. Power to stop and search on suspicion. Amendment 154, disagreed 141-205.
This will not go to the Commons, and MPs will not be able to re-insert it into the Bill.

6. Power to stop and search without suspicion. Amendment 155, disagreed 128-212.
Amendments 156, 157, 158 were all part of the same issue and so not moved.
This will not go to the Commons, and MPs will not be able to re-insert it into the Bill.

7. Serious disruption prevention orders. Amendment 159, disagreed 124-199.
This will not go to the Commons, and MPs will not be able to re-insert it into the Bill.

So, the work is not done. It's important that MPs hear how vital protest is to democracy, and that they then keep the amendments the Lords have made.