Political opposition to bill grows apace

More than 100  MPs have signed an early day motion, which was tabled by Labour MP Lynne Jones last month, condemning the Mental Health Bill.

Forty-six of the MPs are Labour, enough to overturn the government’s 65-strong majority if all signatures were turned into votes. The opposition parties have already come out against the bill.

Jones said: “I am concerned that the proposals do not address the needs of people who may suffer from mental ill-health and consequently will not be effective in safeguarding the public in the rare cases where there is a danger.”