POLICING Minister Chris Philp said MPs and other elected representatives “have to be able to speak their minds” as he announced that an additional £31 million is to be spent on their security.
He told GB News: “It's vital for democracy that elected representatives, Members of Parliament and others, can discharge their duties without fear or intimidation. If MPs can't do their jobs and use their judgement, without any sort of external intimidation, then democracy itself can't function…
“That's why we're announcing today an extra £31 million of funding to help protect Members of Parliament, but also councillors, mayors, police and crime commissioners, as well, when it comes to the election later in this year, candidates.
“For democracy to function, elected representatives and candidates have to be able to speak their minds, vote according to their conscience and their beliefs without any kind of intimidation and that's why we're taking these steps.”
Asked about the controversy over Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, in a discussion during Breakfast with Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster, he said: “I do think that Lindsay Hoyle made a very serious misjudgement because no one in public life, whether that's the Speaker of the House of Commons or Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, should be giving in to intimidation or pressure.
Policing Minister Chris PhilpGB News
“The moment anyone gives in to intimidation, or threats or pressure, which is essentially what Keir Starmer and Lindsay Hoyle did last week, then you are sort of ceding the ground on which democracy stands. So it was a terrible, terrible misjudgement.
“I think he's probably recognised that himself now but that is one of the reasons why we're taking these steps. We want all MPs of all parties, whatever their views are, to be able to express those views to vote and to speak without any sort of fear or intimidation because without that, democracy can't function.”
On reports that Lee Anderson could join Reform UK, he said: “A vote for Reform is effectively a vote for the Labour Party because it will simply let Labour win.
“Having Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, putting up taxes, weak on borders, no plan on anything is bad for Britain, bad for the country and a vote for Reform, unfortunately, will simply let Labour in. I would say to anyone considering doing that, just think. It's a choice.
“It's a choice between the Conservatives with a plan. The small boat crossings are down 36%, for example, inflation is down, there is a plan and it is working.”
