Huppert Furious After Daylight Saving Bill Scuppered On Third Reading

MP Julian Huppert today (Friday, January 20) attacked the disgraceful behaviour of a handful of MPs who killed off the Daylight Saving Bill during its Third Reading in the House of Commons.

The Bill called on the government to conduct a comprehensive review of the costs and benefits of putting clocks forward an hour throughout the UK, giving lighter evenings every day of the year.

But a dozen MPs who opposed the Bill proposed amendment after amendment during a five-hour long debate forcing it to run out of time, even though the vast majority of MPs there supported it, and tried to ensure it made progress.

Julian said: “The disgraceful behaviour of MPs who abused the process has killed off this very worthwhile proposal. The Bill ran out of time, because a few people talked it out.

“This was a simple low-cost policy which would bring a huge range of benefits to the UK. It could have saved lives on our roads, reduced the fear of crime in the evenings and brought much needed jobs in the tourism industry.

“It also made sense from an environmental point of view; we would be using less energy and generating less light pollution.

“I hope the campaign will continue so that we can eventually see this change implemented.”
 
The campaign for change is being co-ordinated by the Lighter Later group.

Campaign manager, Daniel Vockins said: "The Daylight Saving Bill was supported by over 90 national organisations from The AA to SAGA and The FA.

“On the year the Olympics come to Britain, it would have been a brilliant legacy for our young athletes.”