Clive Lewis For Norwich South
I voted to bring down the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill – also known as the Anti-BDS Bill – by supporting a Reasoned Amendment put forward by the Labour Party.
Should it become law, this bill would have a far reaching and stifling effect on freedom of expression. As Liberty points out, “the ability to ‘vote with your feet’ – and to influence those in power to do the same – through debate and discussion is a vital component of a healthy and democratic society… The Anti-Boycott Bill threatens individuals’ and public bodies’ right to freedom of expression by effectively outlawing political and moral boycotts relating to foreign states’ conduct.”
There has been widespread condemnation of this dangerous piece of legislation, reflected in my own party’s attempts to wreck the bill at Second Reading. It follows the raft of anti-democratic laws the Tories have rammed through Parliament while they cling onto power.