Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins happy to defy Europe (From Wharfedale Observer)
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Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins happy to defy Europe
4:29pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in Local news
Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins has vowed to defy Europe over an order to give British prisoners the vote.
He said he would be in favour of keeping the 140-year-old ban on inmates voting despite a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Prime Minister David Cameron last week told the House of Comm-ons prisoners would not get the vote under the present Government.
He also said he would offer MPs a further Commons debate and a vote on the issue in coming weeks.
Mr Hopkins said: “I know I speak for the vast majority of people in this country when I say the idea of giving prisoners the vote is appalling and simply unacceptable.
“If someone goes to prison, they lose certain rights. One of those rights should certainly be the right to vote.”
Mr Hopkins praised Mr Cameron for refusing to “bend a knee” to Europe on the issue, adding: “The ECHR has picked the wrong fight on this one.”
