Wiltshire MP says heckling in parliament is 'counterproductive'
Calls are being made to improve behaviour in the House of Commons
A Wiltshire MP has told us that booing and jeering in the House of Commons is holding back constructive debate.
Chippenham's Sarah Gibson believes changes are needed, with an MP committee calling for standards of behaviour to be improved.
Ms Gibson's comments follow her fellow Lib Dem MP Vikki Slade, who represents Mid Dorset and North Poole, saying she avoids Prime Minister's Questions (PMQ's) due to the atmosphere in the chamber.
It's not the first attempt to encourage a more 'grown-up' and mature style of debate in Parliament.
"I'm in Westminster to deliver for my constituents, not take part in any sort of 'Punch and Judy' type politics," Ms Gibson said, who was elected to her role in July 2024.
She described the 'rowdiness' of PMQs and other debates as 'counterproductive to effective debate', saying: "This benefits no one, especially not my constituents, who deserve to have their voices heard in Parliament."
Ms Gibson added: "I would of course welcome any changes that reduce that heckling and encourage better communication across the whole house.
"I find the booing and the jeering counterproductive to listening to MPs working hard and trying to raise the issues of their constituents, and I would much rather it didn't happen."