House of Lords stood up for our democracy

I expect that your readers believe in democracy, in our British right to peaceful protest, in being free to go about your business without being searched by the police for no reason?

If so, they will be pleased to hear that last week I and my Lib Dem colleagues in the House of Lords fought 14 important battles against the government’s dangerous and draconian Police Bill – and won all 14 votes.

As a result, banning peaceful demos outside Parliament – binned. Stopping noise at demos – ridiculed and then defeated. Making it an offence to obstruct major transport works – down the toilet. Giving police the power to ban or restrict demos – ditched. Allowing police to stop and search anyone without any reason – deleted.

The marathon session of debates and votes went on until after midnight on Monday last week. It was the culmination of 17 days of scrutiny of the Bill, led by the Lib Dems, since October.

But this time they were joined by Labour, Cross-benchers, bishops and even a few Conservative Lords in opposing the worst aspects of the new laws.

The mood in the House was defiant with many of us feeling that the Conservatives have lost all authority to govern because of their repeated lack of honesty and integrity. The Lords were not going to be pushed around.

Time after time, the government’s lame excuses for shredding our democratic rights were debated and then roundly defeated. The government will probably try to reinstate the offending clauses when the Bill goes back to the Commons. But for some of the clauses, which happen to be the worst ones, it will be difficult for the government to restore them.

Whatever your view of the House of Lords, and I’m one of those in favour of reform, there is no doubt that last week it did its job to protect our democracy.

(Lord) Paul Strasburger Liberal Democrat, Bath