MEMBERS of the Women’s Equality Party laid a wreath of white roses at the door of Shipley MP Philip Davies’s office today in protest about his attempts to block a Parliament Bill.

Mr Davies had opposed the Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence Bill, arguing that it is “sexist” to say the focus should only be on violence against women and that he stands for “true equality” where all people are treated equally.

But Mr Davies's approach has been criticised by the Women’s Equality Party and representatives of its Leeds branch laid the wreath at his office as a Parliamentary debate on the Bill took place.

They said it was in memory of the 616 women killed by men since the Government first committed to ratify the Istanbul Convention on ending violence against women and girls in June 2012.

The Istanbul Convention was adopted by the Council of Europe in 2011, and while the UK signed the convention it has yet to ratify it.

The Government has insisted it intends to do so but it has faced growing criticism for the delay.

The Bill was cleared by Parliament today after its third reading and it will now go before the House of Lords.

Cat Crossley, co-leader of the party’s Leeds branch which covers the Bradford district, who laid the wreath, said: “It is a victory for the prevention of violence against women and any victim of domestic violence.

“Despite his [Mr Davies's] wrecking tactics, it has gone through and has gone past the ratifying stage.

“We don’t believe he is representing his constituents well over this issue.”

A total of 47 amendments to the Bill were debated by MPs today, including 21 tabled by Mr Davies, as well as others from the Government and the Scottish National Party (SNP).

Mr Davies spoke for 90 minutes during which he told MPs: “I made it clear at the second reading of the Bill, that I do not agree with the Istanbul Convention because it is discriminatory.

“At least I am upfront and honest about it. I want to stop the Bill from going forward.

“We do have the women and equalities select committee which is more than capable of holding the Government to task on the work they do to combat violence against women and men.

“I don’t think we need foreign bureaucrats sticking their noses into what we are doing.”

During his speech, Mr Davies also called for the Government to obtain statistics of domestic violence numbers from all of the countries which have ratified the Istanbul Convention.

He also said he has contacted the ambassadors to all of the countries which has ratified the Istanbul Convention to get that information.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Davies challenged the Women’s Equality Party to stand against him at the next General Election.

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