Do MPs need more protection?

[OneMerryRedSnail]

If so what needs to be done?

Or do they take on the job knowing the risks?

https://news.sky.com/story/left-wing-anarchist-guilty-of-terror-offences-after-declaring-he-wanted-to-kill-mps-13072775

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.

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.

@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 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

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?

@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.

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.

@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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

@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.