Inside the Lords: The Tyranny of Public Order and Online Safety
Claire's latest update from work in the House of Lords
In this week’s episode of Inside the Lords I discuss the amendments I fought for to restrict the Government’s poorly targeted Public Order Bill. This has been brought forward in the light of Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion protests and it grants huge powers for police to crack down on any disruptive protest. I supported those Lords who fought hard for an amendment that gives a high threshold for what constitutes ‘significant disruption’ in the name of protecting the right to protest for all. The amendment passed.
Also, I touch upon the addition of abortion clinic buffer zones to the bill. I attempted to replace this clause with the order of a review into the issue, rather than an amendment that creates nation-wide buffer zones - renamed ‘safe access zones’ - and could lead to the criminalisation of ‘influencing’ women. I think this particular word (unintentionally) does not do women justice, implying they are unable to resist or influence or make a reasoned choice without protection from the state in the form of carving out the public from public space. My amendment on a review was rejected
I report on the worryingly small minority of Peers who even mentioned the issue of free speech in relation to the Online Safety Bill, including the government minister in his final summation of the debate. One leading human rights lawyer suggested we shouldn’t fetishize free speech. But fetishize seems to be a pseudonum for defend. Watch this space for a rear-guard action to put free speech centre stage.
Finally, I reflect on some of our recent activity including some high-profile media appearances from the Academy of Ideas team, most notably Ella Whelan on Question Time in Scotland on Thursday. On the same day, one of Ella’s family friends (and an Academy of Ideas member) Gerry sadly died of cancer, far too young. Gerry was a wonderful, spirited woman and a real life-force. Ella did her memory proud by brilliantly fighting for women’s rights:
My appearance on Radio 4’s big Brexit anniversary debate on the Today programme. I shared a panel with Alistair Campbell, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Tony Danker of the CBI. Emotions were high and stayed so even when arch-remoaner Steve Bray was thrown out for his boorish heckling.
On Thursday, Ella Whelan was standing up for women’s rights on Question Time up in Glasgow where the Gender Recognition Bill has turned politics upside-down.
Our latest Podcast of Ideas, which looks further into the Government’s vetoing of Sturgeon’s gender bill. If you haven’t yet listened, you will enjoy Alastair Donald talking to Susan Smith of For Women Scotland, and reflections from a few of the AoI team.
Again on Scotland, I hope you didn’t miss Rob Lyons’ amusing Substack post documenting the litany of bad laws that have been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
Until next time. I hope you’ll consider becoming a paid subscriber and supporting directly all our work.