Many constituents wrote to me to raise about a proposal to use the Public Order Act 2023 to extend “key national infrastructure” protections to life sciences infrastructure, including facilities operating under licences granted by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Having considered this issue at length, I voted against this change.
I shared the fundamental concern raised by Norwich South constituents about the classification of animal testing facilities as “national infrastructure” which would allow the use of sweeping injunctions and protest restrictions. As many constituents highlighted to me, existing laws already provide robust protections against criminal damage, harassment, threats, trespass, and intimidation.
The Government has a critical role to play in upholding civil liberties. Legislation should not be used to restrict protest rights to protect private companies from public protest.
While in Opposition, Labour voted against the Public Order Act when it was passing through Parliament. I gladly rejected this bill at the time and spoke against it in the House of Commons. I said then – and believe still – that undermining our democratic right to protest goes against the very essence of what it means to live in a democracy.
Watch a clip from my speech here.
Given both the domestic and international context of creeping authoritarianism and broad attacks on the public’s civil liberties, I could not support provisions that undermine protest rights yet further.
I have broader concerns about this government’s deeply troubling pattern of legislative behavior. I will continue to scrutinise legislation closely and be guided in my actions here in Parliament by a commitment to advancing the interests of Norwich South constituents.