AMID all the sound and fury surrounding this week’s debating of the EU Union (Withdrawal) Bill, it can be forgotten that much of the legislation MPs vote into law is not controversial.
Of course, that lack of controversy often means it is not widely reported in the media – but that doesn’t make it any less important.
A recent example was a Private Members’ Bill introduced by Labour’s Steve Reed which seeks to end the disproportionate use of force against mental health patients.
It requires hospitals to publish data on how and when physical force is used, and improve oversight and training of mental health staff.
I was pleased to be able to support Steve’s legislation – the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill - and delighted that it received unanimous support.
During my speech in support of the Bill, I made the point that it represented the next step in our national journey towards ending the injustices that those who experience mental health problems still encounter.
Burning injustices was the phrase the Prime Minister used in a speech earlier this year to describe the discrimination mental health patients often face compared with patients who suffer from a physical ailment and that sentiment was echoed across the House earlier this month when we gave our wholehearted backing to the legislation.
Another important point about this Bill is that it came about because of what happened to one of Steve’s South London constituents, Olaseni Lewis, who died as a result of being forcibly pinned down by 11 police officers after his family sought help when he showed signs of mental ill health.
Steve worked closely with Olaseni’s family after they approached him for help and the story underlines the importance of the link all MPs have with their constituencies. It is one of the great strengths of our system of parliamentary democracy that every MP represents a geographical area to which he or she is accountable to.
Another example is my Thirsk and Malton Conservative colleague Kevin Hollinrake’s Guardianship (Missing Persons) Bill. It is known as Claudia's Law, after Claudia Lawrence who went missing on her way to work in York in 2009.
Kevin successfully introduced the Bill after he was contacted by Claudia’s father, a constituent, who as well as dealing with his grief also had to try to wind up his daughter’s financial and legal affairs. The Bill, which I was happy to support, established a new legal mechanism to deal with the property and financial affairs of a missing person.
Anyone in the UK can approach their MP for help on matters like these and on many occasions common-sense legislation bringing about significant improvements to the way our country is run is the result.
Back home, the highlight of last weekend’s constituency engagements was Remembrance Day in Leyburn.
This was a first time for me attending Remembrance Day in Leyburn, rather than at Richmond or Northallerton. It was just as moving and well organised by the Royal British Legion and the town council with the support of the police. The wreath-laying ceremony and roll call of Leyburn’s men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice was beautifully and respectfully observed by more than 200 townsfolk and the church service afterwards was very well attended.