Here are a series of emails between me and the offices of Daniel Kawzynski MP. I'm requesting an oral question.
I live in hope.
23rd June 2011
Dear Helen,
Thank you so much, it was lovely speaking to you as always.
My new campaign is called People not Punchlines here is the link to my blog which contains the press release.
and my Guardian piece from today http://t.co/tjqzEc1
As you can see currently disabled people are not included in legislation to address the issue of Hate Speech. I was hoping that Daniel might ask an oral question of the Home Secretary(?) in order that the law be amended to offer disabled people the same protections as other people who are the target of hate crime and verbal abuse.
My campaign has the backing of Mencap.
Very Best wishes
Nicky Clark
People Not Punchlines Campaign
6th July 2011 11.43am
Hi Nicky
Our London Office have looked at the PQ and have come up with the suggestion below – the questions have to follow a format – are you happy with this.
Also, if Daniel puts in to ask an Oral question, we have to wait until his question is chosen, which could take several weeks. If he puts in a written question, we know he will get a written reply also in a few weeks.
Are you happy for this to be a written question
Kind regards
Helen
“To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Office what considerations she has given the merits of offering disabled people protection equivalent to that currently given to those targeted by hate crime or verbal abuse”
Dear Helen,
I would be most grateful if Daniel would consider asking an oral question. I don't mind if we have to wait a short while.
"To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Office whether she might consider the call by my constituent disability rights campaigner Nicky Clark who has launched the People not Punchlines Campaign. She is asking for an amendment to existing legislation for those targeted by hate crime or verbal abuse as currently disabled people are not included. Although protection is offered as an additional aggravating factor in terms of sentencing- the issue is not recognised in and of itself "
Hate speech is terms of disability is not recognised in line with other hate speech under either the Criminal Justice or Public order acts. Anyone from Eugenicists to BNP can technically spread hatred. I recently participated in a R5 live phone in when someone who intends to stand as London Mayoral BNP candidate phoned in and stated if she had a learning disabled child she would have drowned them at birth.
If Daniel could reference my People Not Punchlines campaign I would of course be delighted.
Thank you so much,
Nicky Clark
6th July 4.22pm
Hi Nicky
Just to let you know I have forwarded your e-mail down to Westminster as there are so many rules to asking a question. They will check to see if it needs amending in any way.
I will let you know what is happening
Kind regards
Helen
6th July 2011 4.37pm
Thank you heard campaigns and campaigners being mentioned today so thought I'd add myself. Daniel might not want to use his oral question for this but it would mean a great deal to disabled people. Shamefully labour omitted them from legislation.
Thank you again. Best nik xx
July 12th 2.47pm
Dear Nicky,
Many thanks for your email to Helen on a PQ to the Home Secretary.
Helen is away for a couple of weeks, so she’s asked if I can help you get something down in the House.
I understand that you would like Daniel to ask a question in the Chamber on your campaign to get disabled people into the legislation surrounding hate crime and verbal abuse.
With the House going into recess next week, there won’t be questions to the home office until at least mid September, perhaps not until Octobers.
With this in mind, what I would suggest and would be more than happy to do is table a written parliamentary question to the Home Office, which will encompass the thrust of your question below.
If you’re happy with this Nicky, then do please let me know and I’ll put this on the to-do list and get the question drafted for tabling as soon as possible.
Thanks Nicky, look forward to hearing from you,
Mike
Dear Mike,
Thank you for your email. I have been asking for this oral question for three weeks. Respectfully if my MP had submitted my question it might have been selected by now. However I suppose we'll never know.
If Daniel does not want to ask the question then please tell me.
There are only so many ways in which I can ask for an oral question and you reply "Wouldn't you rather a written question- the list for oral questions is so long" and I reply "No honestly I asked for an oral question, specifically not for a written question- can I have an oral question please" and you reply 'An oral question are you sure you don't want a written question? because now that we've asked you repeatedly which format you would like the question in, the list which is very long, will be delayed by recess.'
I refer you to all of my previous emails.
Very best wishes,
Nicky Clark
