The poor behaviour of MPs in the House of Commons and the lack of credible statements is easy to spot. Whether by watching or listening to Prime Ministers Question Time or other broadcasts or reading statements that get made. Occasionally though an MP stands up and makes a statement that could if considered seriously by his colleagues on both sides of the House change the culture. On Tuesday the MP for Bexhill and Battle, Huw Merriman started his contribution in a debate with the following few sentences:

“I have sat through the debate in silence, and I have heard many points being made. I have disagreed with some of them vehemently, but I think it important for us in the Chamber to listen with respect to every opinion and not to think that we have a monopoly, however much we may disagree with the opinions of others. If we do otherwise, we are setting a terrible example to the rest of the country.”

The big question following this is how do we take the behaviour and view of Huw and apply it to the other 649 MPs in the House of Commons. I am inclined to start a petition on this very subject but my petitions, albeit rarely started usually get signed by a few dozen or at best a few hundred people. Any thoughts from readers of this blog would be welcome.