MP: attacks ‘spoilt great tradition’ of meeting constituents face to face

Sir David Amess recently wrote of how MPS had received security advice about holding surgeries, and how attacks had “spoilt the great British tradition” of the voters meeting politicians.

In Ayes & Ears: A Survivor’s Guide to Westminster – which was published in November – he wrote about Jo Cox’s murder and how she had been attacked “in the most barbaric fashion imaginable”.

Sir David also wrote about the machete attack on Nigel Jones MP in 2000, which resulted in his aide Andy Pennington’s death as he tried to protect him.

He mentioned he had experienced “nuisance from the odd member of the general public” at his own property, and said most MPS had changed the way they interacted with voters, and the Commons authorities took the threats members faced very seriously.

Writing about the attack on Mr Jones, Sir David said: “We all make ourselves readily available to our constituents and are often dealing with members of the public who have mental health problems, it could happen to any of us.

“The British tradition has always been that Members of Parliament regularly make themselves available for constituents to meet them face to face at their surgeries. Now advice has been given to be more careful when accepting appointments.

“In short, these increasing attacks have rather spoilt the great British tradition of the people openly meeting their elected politicians.”

Sir David also mentioned frequently being abused online, and how “ignorant cowards” could remain anonymous. He said: “The law in this regard needs to be changed.”