I recognise your concerns about the protests on 13 September and the comments made by Elon Musk during them. Those comments were unacceptable.
While individuals rightly have the right to exercise free speech within the law on a range of issues, it is wholly unacceptable when such protests turn violent. The Metropolitan Police noted that both protests began largely without incident, although it is regrettable that a number of those present became involved in disorder in multiple locations. Where protesters attack police officers or break the law, they should face the full force of the law and be condemned.
It is important to distinguish between strongly felt political debate on the one hand, and unacceptable acts of abuse, intimidation and violence on the other. British democracy has always been robust and oppositional, but there can never be an excuse to shout down democratic process or to seek social change through force rather than the force of argument.
It is vital that we as MPs respond to public on the complex challenges facing our society. We must take effective action to improve people’s lives, so that those who seek to exploit public concern cannot use people’s worries to serve their own ends.
