Conservative Member of Parliament Victoria Atkins Criticized for Disruptive Behavior During Commons Debate, Called ‘Abominable’ by Deputy Speaker
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
4 minutes read. Updated 11:40PM GMT Sat, 20July, 2024
Conservative MP Victoria Atkins has come under intense scrutiny for her conduct during a debate in the House of Commons. The incident, which unfolded on Friday, saw Atkins, the shadow health and social care secretary, loudly interrupting Labour MP Steve Reed while he was addressing the chamber. The altercation prompted Deputy Speaker Christopher Chope to reprimand Atkins, describing her actions as “abominable.”
The video footage capturing the exchange reveals Atkins standing at the despatch box and speaking over Reed, while Chope attempts to restore order. In his address to the chamber, Chope condemned Atkins’ behaviour, highlighting a breach of parliamentary decorum.
Labour MP Perran Moon voiced his condemnation, labeling Atkins’ behaviour as “an absolute disgrace” and urging for appropriate measures to be taken against her. In a show of solidarity, Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan, who witnessed the incident, took to social media platform X to criticize the Conservative Party’s conduct. Morgan asserted, “I witnessed this first-hand. The Conservatives proved the electorate got it right: they are not fit for government.”
Josh Fenton-Glynn, the Labour MP for Calder Valley, also commented on the situation, suggesting that the difficulties Conservatives face in opposition are contributing to their behaviour. “I think the fact you don’t get to speak as much in opposition is hard for them [Conservatives] to get used to,” Fenton-Glynn remarked.
The incident occurred during a debate on planning, green belt, and rural affairs, with Environment Secretary Steve Reed at the forefront. According to a spokesperson for Atkins’ office, her actions were driven by a desire to secure answers on critical issues such as farming budgets, flood defences, and food security. The spokesperson defended Atkins’ conduct, stating, “Conservative MPs were trying to get answers about their budgets for farming, flood defences, and food security, which the minister ignored. She will always stand up fearlessly for farmers and our rural area in Westminster, even if that means a rare admonishment from the Chair.”
As the debate concluded, Steve Reed, the Labour MP for Streatham and Croydon North, addressed the chamber, expressing gratitude to all participants for their contributions. Reed emphasized the importance of progress on environmental issues, stating, “I thank all members who have taken part in this constructive and insightful debate for their perceptive contributions and their dedication to making progress on important matters. After 14 years of chaos, there is once again hope for our environment, hope for our countryside, and hope for our rural communities.”
