Stammering charity calls on parliament to act on ‘febrile atmosphere’ in debates

Disabled campaigners are calling on the House of Commons to address its “febrile atmosphere” and ensure that those with communication differences who take part in parliamentary debates no longer have to fear being “ripped to shreds”.

They have drawn up a petition* after a disabled politician announced he would not stand for his party at the next general election because of the rising and “intolerable” levels of hate crime directed towards him as someone with a stammer.

Chris Nelson had stood for the Liberal Democrats four times in Kettering, but he announced last month that he would not be standing at the next general election.

He is now backing a parliamentary petition* drawn up by the disabled people’s organisation STAMMA, which campaigns for people who stammer.

The petition will call for parliamentary authorities, the government and political parties to ensure that debates take place in “an inclusive environment for those who communicate differently by changing procedures and modelling behaviours where all members are treated with respect”.

It will say it is “unacceptable” that the way parliamentary debates are conducted “creates a febrile environment where people who communicate differently fear they’ll get ripped to shreds”.

The petition will say that this needs to change.

Nelson told Disability News Service: “What MPs do sets the tone for the behaviour of political activists, social media firms, the police and above all ordinary people, and too often that tone is behaviour unfit even for the school playground.

“The culture of bad behaviour that the House of Commons tolerates within its ranks is a symbol of society’s continued unwillingness to get a grip on abuse.

“All sides claim to condemn it, but what we walk past is what we accept.

“Every single day that politicians walk past abuse, and act as though bad behaviour need only be condemned if it is done to their political friends, is another day that prejudice is normalised.”

Among organisations supporting the petition is Disability Rights UK (DR UK).

Kamran Mallick, DR UK’s chief executive, said: “Creating an inclusive society that works for everyone has to start with the government.

“Their role is to set the example, ensure that different voices and experiences are heard, and create environments that value and respect difference.

“Parliament should be a space to debate robustly and not a place where disabled people fear bullying and discrimination.

“Our country will only benefit from diversity in political life. We stand in solidarity with STAMMA in calling for a change so that individuals who stammer can realise their ambitions of a role in public life.”

Paul Fix, STAMMA’s chair, said: “It can’t be right that people fear to stand for parliament, believing they won’t be heard or listened to because of their difference.

“We want parliament to hold a debate to examine how they debate, and whether name calling, jeering and booing should be allowed.”

Paul Gerrard, director of campaigns and public affairs at the Co-op Group, said: “For nearly 30 years I have worked with parliaments and politicians across the UK and have done so with a stammer.

“It isn’t something to be overcome, it’s part of me. Too many people, especially in politics, see it as a weakness or a vulnerability to be exploited.

“It is hurtful, it is plain nasty, but above all else it prevents talent from entering public service, which is something we can ill afford.

“This petition is asking those who represent us and make our laws to act with respect and welcome all views, not just those who sound like them.”

*The petition will be added to the UK parliament website when approved by parliamentary authorities

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