Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Today in Parliament

Factual: Politics

News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament

BBC Radio 4 FM

Today in Parliament: 14/09/2012

14/09/2012

BBC Radio 4 - Today in Parliament, 14/09/2012

Mark D'Arcy reports on efforts to overturn a legal form of discrimination.

Mark D'Arcy reports on efforts to overturn a legal form of discrimination - the rules banning people with mental health issues from taking part in public life.

Mark D'Arcy reports on efforts to overturn what's been called the last legal form of discrimination. An MP who suffers from mental illness can be thrown out of Parliament if they're sectioned for more than six months under the Mental Health Act. Earlier this year two MPs challenged the taboo about mental health when they spoke out about their problems. Conservative, Charles Walker described how he had lived with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for more than 30 years. And a Labour former Defence Minister, Kevan Jones told how he had struggled with depression. Now a Conservative MP, Gavin Barwell, is trying to change the law to sweep away rules which effectively ban people with mental health problems from playing a part in public life. His Mental Health (Discrimination) Bill would repeal the law effecting MPs and members of devolved institutions who've been sectioned and remove other legislation which can be used to block people with mental health problems from serving on juries in England and Wales or working as company directors. Mr Barwell's proposals stand a good chance of becoming law as the Government has given its backing to the Bill. Also tonight: What can MPs do about the war on drugs?; Bikers campaign against a new EU law and; a report on European Commission president José Manuel Barroso's State of the Union speech.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Today in Parliament

14/09/2012

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4