On Friday 15 June, people were justifiably angry when Conservative MP Christopher Chope blocked the progress of a bill that would make upskirting illegal. Less coverage, however, was dedicated to a similarly abhorrent act by Conservative men’s rights MP Philip Davies. Which is a shame, as Davies filibustered a bill designed to prevent excessive force being used against mental health patients:
Listening to Tory MP, Philip Davies, speaking for well over 2 hours on @SteveReedMP Bill to reduce use of force in mental health units. Risk that we will run out of time to make vital progress on this important Bill. So frustrating. No one else has been able to speak
— Norman Lamb (@normanlamb) June 15, 2018
Seni’s Law
Nicknamed Seni’s Law, the bill was proposed following the death of Olaseni Lewis. Lewis died in 2010 after being restrained by 11 police officers. In 2017, a jury ruled that Lewis’ death was partially due to excessive force:
The excessive force, pain compliance techniques and multiple mechanical restraints were disproportionate and unreasonable. On the balance of probability, this contributed to the cause of death.
The law, proposed by Labour MP Steve Reed, would add measures to prevent excessive use of force when dealing with people with mental illness. The bill would require hospitals to publish data on instances where the use of force was required to restrain patients and would mandate effective training on the use of force. It would also require police to wear body cameras when restraining patients.
Filibuster Philip
This is not the first time Davies has attempted to frustrate the passage of a law through filibustering. The MP has a reputation for blocking progressive bills. Here’s a short, and by no means exhaustive, list of the laws that Davies has seen fit to block:
- A bill that would provide free hospital parking to carers was filibustered by Davies (and two other MPs) in 2015.
- Also in 2015, Davies filibustered a bill making it necessary to provide first aid training to school kids.
- In 2015, Davies blocked a bill that would require landlords to make homes fit for human habitation. Davies is a private landlord himself.
- Proving that even animals are not safe from his ire, Davies and three other MPs blocked a bill that would make it illegal for circuses to use wild animals in their shows.
- In 2016, Davies and several other MPs filibustered a bill brought forward by Caroline Lucas designed to reverse attempts to privatise the NHS.
- In 2017, Davies filibustered a bill that would make LGBT inclusive sex education in schools mandatory.
- Also in 2017, Davies unsuccessfully attempted to filibuster a bill designed to protect women against violence.
Not the end
Davies may have successfully killed the bill at this stage, but the fight will continue. The bill is due to return to the parliament on 6 July.
Get Involved!
– Support Young Minds.
– Support Rethink Mental Illness.
– Also support Inquest.
Feature image via Chris McAndrew – Wikipedia
