MP’s bid to change law to remove dangerous drugs from streets is blocked
The Labour MP’s private members’ bill sought to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act
Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre’s bid to change the law to give police more powers to remove dangerous drugs from the city’s streets has been blocked by Conservative MPs.
The Labour MP’s private members’ bill sought to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 which was a landmark piece of legislation that established a vital framework for controlling dangerous substances.
It introduced a system for classifying harmful drugs into Class A, B, and C categories, marking a significant step forward in the fight against drug misuse and related crime.
However, Mr McIntyre says there is an urgent need to update the legislation to address the rapidly evolving challenges of the 21st century.
He said his proposed changes would empower the police to take quicker action, ensuring that dangerous drugs are removed from the streets to better protect the public.
Streamlining the process for implementing controls would put the country in a stronger position to enforce tougher measures against synthetic drugs that are putting lives at risk, according to Mr McIntyre.
He believes this would help Gloucester as it is the hotspot for drug related crime in the county.
“The threat posed by synthetic drugs is growing at an alarming rate,” he said.
“These substances are becoming more dangerous, particularly synthetic opioids such as Fentanyl and Nitazenes, which have reached potency levels that pose a serious and growing risk to life.
“In 2023, drug-related deaths in England and Wales reached nearly 5,500, the highest number since records began, representing an 11 per cent increase from the previous year.
“It is clear that urgent action is needed to address the rise of synthetic drugs, so we can protect the public and remove these dangerous substances from our streets.
“In Gloucestershire, it is estimated that nearly one-third of adults have used illegal drugs at some point in their lives, with nearly 3,000 individuals using heroin and crack.
“Tragically, in the last three years, 78 adults lost their lives while undergoing drug and alcohol addiction treatment in the region.
“These figures serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action, and it is this urgent need that this Bill seeks to address.”
However, the bill, which was scheduled to be debated on Friday, was blocked by Tory MPs.
After Mr McIntyre called for the second reading of the Bill, both Christopher Chope and Ian Duncan Smith shouted to object, effectively blocking the bill from progressing further.
It will go again on March 7. Mr McIntyre said: “It’s extremely disappointing to see my private member’s bill blocked by the Conservatives.
“With drug crime on the rise across the UK and the impact of synthetic drugs affecting so many families, it beggars belief that a Conservative MP has chosen to block legislation that would have made it easier for the police to deal with dangerous new drugs flooding the market.
“We know that tackling crime and anti-social behaviour is high on the agenda for people in all parts of the UK, including here in Gloucester.
“It just shows yet again that when it comes to things that matter to people the Conservatives have no idea.”
But Sir Christopher said there is nothing to prevent the Government from adopting Mr McIntyre’s bill if they believe it to be important.
No legislation should go through Parliament undiscussed. He said the Labour could have given Mr McIntyre’s bill time for debate on Friday but chose instead to talk about a bill on completing Brexit.
He said: “No legislation, especially that dealing with the criminal law should go through Parliament undiscussed.
“The Labour Government could have given Alex’s bill time for debate on Friday but chose instead to talk out an important bill on completing Brexit.
“Incidentally the Government also blocked three of my bills on Friday.
“There is nothing to prevent the Government adopting Alex’s bill if they believe it to be important and it is in that direction that I advise Alex to go instead of desperately trying to make a party political point and even exaggerating the effect of his bill were it to be enacted.”
The Conservatives have been approached for comment.