Do MPs need more protection?

@dubsie. I’m fairly well acquainted with political history and on the 70s and 80s and beyond the Labour party’s ties with the unions became very problematic. There was then the issue with Ed and David Miliband. Set the Labour Party back years AA did Corbyn. They were roundly defeated. I’m never going to vote for a Labour Party run by the unions. Major employers pay taxes (mostly) and employ most people fairly. Workers have a chance to move on. If we don’t have a strong private sector we have insufficient tax income to spend on services. Unions historically dragged the economy down and no one will go back to the tune of 13 million. Hopefully Starmer will stand up to union demands or we will be well and truly bankrupt.

That's the problem, don't you realise that is why the private sector behaves so poorly. It's the unions that fund the labour party, they are a beacon for a healthy democracy.

It troubles me that people don't realise how important the Unions were in securing your rights now. Even the vote you have is thanks to the union movement. Never never forget your history....we are only a few steps away from returning to the bad old days.

Having unions is ok for some. Also many casual workers are ok with hours being offered as snd when. They can always apply for other jobs. Or be self employed if they want: millions of people are. Union membership was 13 million at its height. Now well below 3 million. It’s not applicable to most and they don’t went to bother. I was a union rep. Never would do it now. Strikes finished them off and Thatcher. The best thing she did.

Ask someone on a zero hours contract if they miss them. Or a worker on minimum wage if they’re better off without them. Only someone who thinks workers are there to be screwed over could think not having unions is a good thing.

I didn't realise last week the extent to which the government wants to curtail freedoms. I still don't think that MPs should be interrupted at or near their own homes, but I definitely don't agree with their crafty new plans, which are fuelled by a lot of exaggerated bs.

Unions?? Only in public sector. Private sector has done way better without them. No one misses them.

Don't you think it's all in the plan, if you divide the masses then you'll always win.

Listen to what leading trade unionists are saying and close your ears to politicians. Unions hold the key to a brighter future so I urge all young people to unionise and fight a common cause ....to better our world for everyone not just a few.

All this anger is just wasting time we don't have. Don't let certain parts of the media and popular rhetoric influence your vote....read and understand

@dubsie We are following the USA in too many ways. We do have a free press and they can take sides though and we have a parliament system in the Commons designed to be adversarial. Most debates are conducted with decency though in my view. However I think certain topics with certain MPs do lead to poor behaviour. They also make statements outside Parliament which are inflammatory.

I think fewer people take their cues from newspapers now. Many do not see PMQ but are just angry about lots of things because they live around simpler people.

Paiament is designed to have clear differences. SNP for example. The opposition won’t think the same as government and we therefore get choice at the ballot box. Not that it’s a choice I like!

I think as people have become angrier it’s spilling over to politicians who say things to play to the mob as it were. However it comes back to the wrong type of person being in parliament. However looking at what’s going on in the USA, we need to avoid that at all costs.

Possibly yes but more importantly we need to calm down the rhetoric in the tabloids, social media and the politicians as well....too much anger is being spread.

We need to accept that all sides have different views but that doesn't make us enemies....we must meet in the middle and find common ground...only that will solve the issues we are facing. Politicians are too tribal and too many seek popular votes by jumping on emotional issues.

@MumMumMumMumMumMumMum No. I don’t think it does. However many of our best politicians haven’t been the man or woman on the checkout at a supermarket. Many have been high flyers in their fields with ideas and solutions. I’m not happy about career politicians and do believe in a career outside politics first. This hones skills and expertise which we need. When high quality people can be blended together to form a government, we are better for it. Political dogma works less well in my view.

Good view point to be fair. Difficult though, you want the best of the best but does that just mean a small pool of people who are ultimately all the same kind of person?

I think it definitely is all or nothing, it's a huge commitment and energy is needed! Local govt is no mean feat to work in either

@BIossomtoes I don’t want to see “ordinary” people in government. I’m afraid many are not good enough. We need bright thinkers with clear vision. We end up with short term policies with no forward vision. Being ordinary means just that. Not being good enough to get to the top. I want the best people to be in politics. MPs get lowish pay but highish expenses. I do think pay needs to be increased. It is not attracting the better candidates. We have followers not thinkers.

I’m too old now. It’s actually a regret that I didn’t when I was younger with more energy. The fact that I worked in local government for many years added to the difficulty I’d have had. I think I’d have enjoyed it.

Have you thought about getting into politics yourself? I expect most people who say they want to see normal every day people, such as themselves, in parliament wouldn't actually get involved.

The pay’s fine when you take into account all the subsidies and the fact that they can claim all sorts on expenses. I want more ordinary people in parliament, the sort who recognise that £85k is a very decent salary. As a woman safety would be a major concern, it must be horrific having to have a panic room in your house.

You're right. I think people think MPs earn a fortune but they really don't. Plus of course the narrative that every MP is corrupt, taking back handers etc. Those same people making such accusations don't seem to want to put themselves out there in the running though.

@MumMumMumMumMumMumMum It’s putting off many from doing the job. Plus the pay of course. It’s not worth it.

Yes they need protection. I don't believe one single MP went into the job expecting to receive serious threats of physical abuse, abuse towards their family or indeed to be injured or killed whilst at work. That's a ridiculous thing to say. And even if that were true, does knowing they might be at risk of harm mean they don't deserve protection?

@marmaladeandpeanutbutter Ha. Yes. However some numpties have chosen them from a shortlist and many more have voted for them. GG winning is a prime example of the issues we face!

I do think there are a few politicians from whom we should be protected! 😄

@tiggergoesbounce Because no one will pay for it! Elected reps are different and high profile people are different. Lots of people have risky jobs - a judge was attacked recently. In court! it’s impossible to protect everyone.

@MrsBennetsPoorNerves . Yep.

Yep. Most of us do know the type.

Given that the OP seems to be a Lee Anderson fan, she perhaps struggle to recognise the type...too close to home?

Social workers are not followed in the street or have demonstrators outside their homes. Thats intimidation at a different level. MPs are widely known. Social workers are not. They aren’t going to agree to protect social workers but have agreed to protect some MPs. Also MPs with a high profile are more likely to be the subject of a terror attack than a social worker or be killed. Some might not want protection but for those who are concerned, it should be considered

This is crazy especially they arent going to agree to protect social workers why the hell not. !!!
Everyone should expect to be kept safe in this country. Not just flipping MPs.

So you agree then to celebrities getting protection. They are high profile, they are chased down the street, they have their houses staked out.

Do we give anyone protection who fits your categories?

Or should we just push and fight to expect better protection for all from our (understaffed) police and better deterants and punishments for those who break the law.