The Rachel Maclean MP Column
“OUR democracy is precious, and as the senseless murder of Sir David Amess horrifyingly made clear to us last Friday, there are people out there who seek to undermine our parliamentary system.
Whilst we can’t allow those who seek to spread terror to win, it’s understandable following the tragic loss of my dear colleague that there is a discussion about enhanced security measures for MPs and our staff.
I want to thank Inspector Lee Page and West Mercia Police for the additional protection they sent to look after myself and my team last Friday as I continued with my surgeries and visits.
The threat is real and sadly I have been subjected to death threats and abuse online since I was first elected in 2017. I’ve never let this deter me from doing my job.
I accept that there may be a need for enhanced security measures, and the Home Secretary and Speaker of the House of Commons are working together to review MPs safety.
However, it’s clear from listening to Sir David’s friends, as well as reading what Sir David wrote in his book about the need for constituents to have direct access to their MP, that he would not want MPs to stop meeting their constituents face-to-face.
That is the great thing about our parliamentary democracy.
We have one of the most open and accessible democracies in the world. We cannot allow this to change.
I can assure constituents that I will not allow what happened last Friday to stop me from doing my job.
That would threaten all that we hold precious about British democracy.
I also want to thank and acknowledge my parliamentary staff.
They are not in the public eye, but they are the unsung heroes because they don’t have a choice in what they have to cope with on my behalf. I am very grateful to my amazing team for being by my side last Friday.
Our parliamentary system must and will endure, and I look forward to continuing to meet face-to-face with constituents.”
Rachel Maclean MP
