EDM2146 BRIAN HAW AND THE RIGHT TO PROTEST 11.05.2006   Harvey, Nick

Baker, Norman   Brooke, Annette Cable, Vincent Cohen, Harry Corbyn, Jeremy Cryer, Ann Davey, Edward Drew, David Durkan, Mark George, Andrew Hemming, John Hopkins, Kelvin Jackson, Glenda Kramer, Susan Leech, John Llwyd, Elfyn MacNeil, Angus McDonnell, Alasdair Rennie, Willie Spink, Bob Stunell, Andrew Vis, Rudi Wareing, Robert N Williams, Mark

That this House notes the verdict of Monday 9th May in the case of Brian Haw, peace protestor in Parliament Square for over four and a half years, which overturned the original High Court ruling allowing him to continue his peace vigil; notes with concern that Mr Haw may now be forced to end his protest should the Police Commissioner fail to grant him permission to remain; further notes that Mr Haw's silent protest causes no hindrance to the proper operation of Parliament, nor does it create a public disorder; further notes that this House owes Mr Haw a debt of gratitude for his long-term active engagement in democracy; believes that Mr Haw should be allowed to remain in Parliament Square; and calls upon the Government to nurture engagement by the public with politicians and to support the democratic right of all to protest where they can be seen by hon. Members.

ARMED FORCES BILL : NOW A.W.O.L. COULD MEAN LIFE IN PRISON

Clause 8 of this Bill introduces a new and tougher definition of desertion: soldiers who go absent without leave and intend to refuse to take part in a “military occupation of a foreign country or territory” (8 (3) (c)) may be imprisoned “for life” (8 (4)(a)). 

John McDonnell MP submitted an amendment to: replace “for life” with “must not exceed two years”. Following a debate the amendment was lost. You can read the whole debate by going to Hansard and checking the House of Commons Debates for 22 May 2006.

The 17 Labour MPs who voted in favour of John McDonnell’s amendment are listed below.

John Austin	Erith & Thamesmead
Michael Clapham	Barnsley West & Penistone
Katy Clark	North Ayrshire & Arran
Harry Cohen	Leyton & Wanstead
Jeremy Corbyn	Islington North
Bill Etherington	Sunderland North
Paul Flynn	Newport West
Neil Gerrard	Walthamstow
Ian Gibson	Norwich North
Kelvin Hopkins	Luton North
Lynne Jones	Birmingham Selly Oak
John McDonnell	Hayes & Harlington
Linda Riordan	Halifax
Alan Simpson	Nottingham South
Dennis Skinner	Bolsover
Rudi Vis	Finchley & Golders Green
Robert Wareing	Liverpool West Derby

Your MP not on the list? Why not ask them why at your next GC? Let LAtW know what they say.

Email: latw@gn.apc.org