Senior politicians are adamant that fears of violence must not be allowed to influence how MPs vote. Former Leader of the Commons Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said it is “essential that politicians feel able to vote in Parliament in safety” because “otherwise we cease to be a democracy and become a thugocracy”.
Home Secretary James Cleverly also declared the only thing politicians should ever fear “is the ballot box”.
A report by Lord Walney, the adviser on political violence, is expected to recommend new police powers to set up “exclusion zones” in political hotspots. These would include key areas such as the precincts of Parliament and outside MPs’ homes.
A source who has seen the report said: “There’s a real vulnerability of MPs and ministers if they choose to walk between their Whitehall office and the Commons and the Lords.”
Concern has heightened following follows protests last week over the war in Gaza and smaller demos outside homes and offices of MPs.
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle last week said he did not want to pick up the phone to “find a friend has been murdered”. The Home Secretary said: “Any changes to the way Parliament works, or the options MPs can vote for, because of the threat or risk of intimidation sends completely the wrong message.”
Mr Cleverly added that he would be “vigilant” in order “that the only thing an MP or councillor should ever fear is the ballot box”.
Former Labour leader Lord Kinnock said the threats to parliamentarians’ safety are “real and terrible” but he warned against rolling back “accessibility” that is “crucial” to our democracy.
Former Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “All of our freedoms and democracy are at risk when MPs and politicians are intimidated, bullied and threatened… Threats and abuse should be fully investigated with the police using the full range of powers to identify those responsible and bring them to face justice.”
