Yvette Cooper comment on government defeats on Policing Bill in the Lords

Yvette Cooper, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on the 14 government defeats in the House of Lords on the Policing Bill, said:

“The Policing Bill fails to tackle violence against women and girls and instead focuses on rushing through widely-drawn protest powers. Last night’s Lords votes were an important to call on the Government to think again.

“Labour peers voted against the Government’s last-minute protest amendments and it was striking how many Conservative peers were not prepared to support the Government’s approach. Labour voted for alternative sensible plans that provide for action against dangerous or intimidatory protests - stronger action against protests on motorways that put lives at risk and giving councils powers to prevent anti-vax intimidation outside schools.

“The Home Office is failing to keep our communities safe and secure as prosecutions have dropped and recorded violent crime has risen. Tackling crime and violence against women should be the focus of this Bill. Labour will continue to argue for a better approach.”