UK House of Commons passes controversial Public Order Bill News
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UK House of Commons passes controversial Public Order Bill

The UK Parliament Wednesday passed the Public Order Bill, which is set to become law.

According to the government, the bill “protects the fundamental right to protest,” as well as “brings new penalties for disruptive and dangerous so-called ‘guerrilla tactics’” whilst “reducing delays to the law-abiding majority.”

However, Amnesty International UK’s Military, Security and Police Director Oliver Feeley-Sprague said, “The passing of this new law, which gives police unprecedented powers to restrict the right to protest, is alarming. Chilling laws like this risk the UK slipping further towards authoritarianism.”

Many backbench conservatives such as David Davis, Conservative MP for Haltemprice and Howden, and Sir Charles Walker profoundly disagreed with the bill, calling into question the behaviour of Met Police Officers, as well as the powers of Stop and Search.

The Public Order Bill will now move onto the final stages, which are the consideration of amendments and Royal Assent. The first phase requires the bill to undergo any finishing touches, known as amendments. A bill may go back and forth between each House until both Houses reach agreement on the exact wording of the Bill, known as “ping pong.” Once a bill receives Royal Assent, it is made an Act of Parliament, where the proposals in the bill become law.

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