On 18 October, MPs voted by 297 votes to 110 to add an amendment introducing so-called buffer zones to the Public Order Bill. The Bill, including the amendment, is now being scrutinised by the House of Lords. It comes up for Report stage, where any votes are likely to take place, on Monday 30 January.
The buffer zones amendment introduced by Stella Creasy in the Commons is now Clause 9 of the Public Order Bill. The Government has admitted that this clause means that the Bill is now incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
A Second Reading debate took place on Tuesday 1 November, and the Committee Stage on Tuesday 22 November. In both debates, Peers from across the House, and with different views on abortion, spelt out how it threatens free speech, harms vulnerable women, and criminalises people for the simple act of offering a leaflet.
Please write to members of the House of Lords, asking them to vote against Clause 9, and if necessary the whole bill.
The tool below selects 3 peers for you to write to, and provides an editable template. To send a message to peers:
- Fill in your details.
- Edit the template, if you wish (personal messages are much more effective).
- Press the Send Message button.
Please note, some members of the House of Lords do not publish their official photos, so these will appear blank.
Please act NOW - this is our last chance to stop buffer zones in Parliament. Once you have sent the message, please share this page with others.