MPs have claimed that a new requirement that parliamentarians be anti-racist would stop them speaking in the Commons, saying the idea was “Orwellian” and “rubbish”.
The committee on standards recommended in November that a new principle of ‘respect’ should be added to the MPs Code of Conduct. The change would require MPs to “demonstrate anti-discriminatory attitudes and behaviours through the promotion of anti-racism, inclusion and diversity”.
But the committee has received letters from the government, as well as 11 MPs, objecting to the addition, which is currently under consultation.
