Yesterday evening I appeared on ITV Central to talk about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill and how it is a missed opportunity to take action on violence against women. 

Following the recent tragic death of Sarah Everard there has been a national demand for action to tackle violence against women. With this bill going through the House of Commons the government should put in place the long overdue protections for women against unacceptable violence, including action against domestic homicides, rape and street harassment.

We must tackle the misogynistic attitudes that underpin the abuse women face, but instead the Conservatives have brought forward a Bill that is seeking to divide the country. It is a mess, which could lead to harsher penalties for damaging a statue than for attacking a woman.

This is why Labour will be voting against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.