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Proceeding contribution from David Davis (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 10 February 2011. It occurred during Backbench debate on Voting by Prisoners.


Voting by Prisoners

I am now going to lose the House, because I do not agree with withdrawing from the regime. I will explain why in a moment. Let me conclude this half of my speech—I am using up too much of my time giving way—by saying that it is clear to me that our current system is appropriate, just, proportionate, simple and well understood, and we should stick with it. The second substantive issue before us is who should decide—the European Court or these Houses of Parliament? British courts themselves are clear on the matter. They rejected the claims of Mr Hirst, the axe killer, at every stage. The High Court said in terms that this was"““plainly a matter for Parliament, not the courts””." To those who say, ““But we must obey the law””, I say that the historical task of this Parliament is to correct bad law, no matter where it comes from.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
523 c496 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Compensation Human rights Judgements European Court of Human Rights Prisoners Voting rights
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk