Good afternoon all! The #PolicingBill is back in the Commons this afternoon. There are two statements ahead of the Bill, so it may be up to another hour. This is the thread in which we will follow the Bill.
At the moment we are still listening to a statement on Ukraine. It will be followed by a statement on Football Governance. The #PolicingBill will follow.
In the Lords, Report Stage for the #ElectionsBill has started.
MPs are still discussing Ukraine.
If you’re interested in the #ElectionsBill, please follow @DemDefCoalition. Lord Cormack (Con) has just made a cracking speech.
If you’re interested in the #ElectionsBill, please follow @DemDefCoalition. Lord Cormack (Con) has just made a cracking speech.
The second statement is being made in the Commons. MPs will consider the #PolicingBill once that statement is over.
BREAKING NEWS: a significant win on the #ElectionsBill in the Lords. The controversial clauses about the independence of the Electoral Commission have been removed, and so the Bill goes to the Commons with that change. MPs consider it on Wednesday.
I’d personally expected the #PolicingBill to be on by now — but there are still quite a few MPs in the chamber standing to speak on the football governance statement.
Currently on Points of Order.
The Minister, Kit Malthouse MP, has just entered the chamber.
The #PolicingBill is starting now in the Commons.
The Minister is starting with protest — this being the only issue left. He is talking about noise, and is starting with a slightly bullish tone.
The chamber is quite empty at the moment.
#PolicingBill
The chamber is quite empty at the moment.
#PolicingBill
MPs from North Ireland are specifically concerned with noise in the form of singing, and with religious content.
The Minister states clearly that the #PolicingBill is only concerned with the noise level, not the content.
The Bill is in fact not this specific.
The Minister states clearly that the #PolicingBill is only concerned with the noise level, not the content.
The Bill is in fact not this specific.
The Minister has moved on from noise to the distinction between static and moving protests.
He also mentions the fact that the govt has included post legislative review.
He also mentions the fact that the govt has included post legislative review.
The Minister moves on to the primacy of the House of Commons.
If the Lords insists again, I am sure that the Govt will push it through.
If the Lords insists again, I am sure that the Govt will push it through.
Sarah Jones, speaking for Labour. Labour is wholeheartedly supporting noise, and the front bench is clearly upholding that.
#PolicingBill
#PolicingBill
Sarah Jones MP (Labour): “I ask the govt to bear in mind the consequences this #PolicingBill will have on the police who need to put this into action. It is almost impossible to interpret.”
Labour also raising the point that individual protesters won’t know how noisy the protest is going to be before they get there.
Sarah Jones MP: “The conditions on noise are anti-democratic, and we should vote against them.”
#PolicingBill
#PolicingBill
Anne McLaughlin MP for the SNP.
The Minister is a little sneering at her comments.
The Minister is a little sneering at her comments.
“This is undemocratic and unfair”. #PolicingBill Anne McLaughlin MP for the SNP.
Two Conservative MPs (David Simmonds and Mike Penning) both talk about noisy protest as if it is constant noise.
This is not an accurate description of protest. The length of time of a noisy protest is also not something which has been specifically discussed before.
This is not an accurate description of protest. The length of time of a noisy protest is also not something which has been specifically discussed before.
Beth Winter, a Welsh Labour MP, on devolution. This really hasn’t been properly considered. “The Govt is thrashing about in panic, and it needs to accept the Lords’ amendments.”
#PolicingBill
#PolicingBill
Beth Winter MP also suggests that the police in Wales could (and should) refuse to use the powers. That would be a serious move, and if the Welsh police forces do so it would present a political challenge.
The Minister is moving to a vote.
There is a division. The motion is a Govt motion, so “ayes” are with the government, “noes” with the opposition (and the Lords).
The chamber is looking rather full now. MPs vote in person, so they are in the chamber now.
There will be more than one vote in this section.
Ayes 300, noes 220.
The Govt motion is carried.
The Govt motion is carried.
On to the second vote. Another division.
The Govt has won both votes in the Commons. The #PolicingBill returns to the Lords tomorrow evening. It’s last on the agenda, so may be debated very late. Peers will need to decide whether to insist, or whether to agree with the Commons.
Thank you for following along this afternoon! I’m @QuakerDissent. I hope to be back tomorrow evening, but it depends how late it goes!
I’m also tweeting about the #ElectionsBill at @DemDefCoalition.
I’m also tweeting about the #ElectionsBill at @DemDefCoalition.
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