Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill

I took part in Saturday's demonstration, and that showed that the political class, at least those among it who care for public services, is not divorced—although part of it is, given that the Home Secretary said last week that the only march she has been on was to protect foxes, not to protect libraries and disabled people from cuts. Our forefathers won the right to vote in the great demonstrations of the 1880s by shaking down the railings of Hyde park. Since my school and student days, I have marched, and marched again, in London, but I have not demanded to come and stay here permanently or to scream abuse at MPs coming into the House. I am happy to go up to Downing street to join protests that I associate myself with. That is right, fit and proper. This is not about the political class. Frankly, we have allowed a general degrading and devaluation of the role of MPs. The hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster (Mr Field) is not disconnected. No hon. Member is disconnected: we go back to our constituencies and talk to far more people than any journalist, pontificator or professional. I still say that we should protect the notion that Parliament is a special place and not just another venue for whatever protest people feel passionate about.