Brian Binley

From Skeptical Voter Wiki

Brian Binley is the Conservative MP for Northampton South.

Healthcare

Abortion

In May 2008 in the abortion amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (now Act), Brian Binley voted for the abortion time limit to be lowered to 12 weeks against scientific and medical consensus which is currently 24 weeks^[1]. After four separate parliamentary votes on varying time limits, the majority of MPs voted to keep the abortion time limit at 24 weeks, in keeping with scientific and medical consensus, hence no abortion amendments were added to the bill.

Homeopathy

Binley signed the March 2007 Early Day Motion 1240 calling for the positive recognition of NHS homeopathic hospitals^[2].

In March 2010, following the publication of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's report "Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy", Binley signed Early Day Motion 908: Science and Technology Committee Report on Homeopathy, which was critical of the report^[3].

In May 2011, Brian Binley signed Early Day Motion 1820 which welcomed a campaign to "place homeopathy research on the national agenda as a credible scientific field of inquiry" and called for the Government to facilitate research into homeopathy^[4].

Select Committee Nomination

In 2010, Brian Binley was one of the MPs to nominate Nadine Dorries for the position of Chair of the Health Select Committee.^[5]

Religion

Cornerstone Group

Brian Binley is a member of the Cornerstone Group, a group within the Conservative Party which describes itself as believing in "the spiritual values which have informed British institutions, our culture and our nation’s sense of identity for centuries, underpinned by the belief in a strong nation state"^[6]. Their website includes articles on Conservative and Christian political issues.

In April 2009 Binley contributed an article to the Cornerstone Group blog titled "The traditional family is disappearing"^[7]. In it he states that "in general terms, two parents are better than one and married couples stick together longer than unmarried couples".

Faith based Adoption Agencies

In 2007, Brian Binley signed Early Day Motion 742 calling on the government to exclude "faith based" adoption agencies from the Equality Act to avoid such agencies being forced to consider gay couples.^[8]

Blasphemy Law

On 6th May 2008, Brian Binley voted against a Lords amendment to abolish the common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel^[9]. The amendment was nonetheless passed by a vote of 378 to 57.

Atheist Bus Campaign

Following the adverts bought by the Atheist Bus Campaign on public transport in January 2009, Brian Binley signed Early Day Motion 424 claiming that the rationale behind the adverts was that non-religious people can be less careful about their lifestyle choices and life's consequences^[10].

Same-Sex Marriage

In 2012, Mr Binley signed the Coalition for Marriage petition which stated:

"I support the legal definition of marriage which is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. I oppose any attempt to redefine it."^[11]

The Coalition for Marriage describes itself as "an umbrella group of individuals and organisations ... backed by politicians, lawyers, academics and religious leaders"^[12]. They are supported by the Evangelical Alliance^[13] and former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey^[14], and have connections with other Christian groups^[15].

The group claims it "draws upon a substantial body of evidence". However, science and evidence-based politics blogger Martin Robbins described their argument as "confused, irrational and ultimately self-defeating"^[16].

Climate Change

In 2006, MPs were asked three questions by the Rough Guide's Mark Ellingham on how seriously they took climate change as politicians and as responsible, active citizens. Brian Binley replied:

"1: I understand that climate change is an extremely important issue and indeed, one of the biggest challenges that we and future generations will face. I am pleased that such an issue is now receiving so much focus because it is down to everyone, government, businesses and the public alike to make a difference and change the way we live.

2: I think every country can make a difference because I believe every little helps. We must move away from the 'I'm okay' opinion and develop long term policies to create a framework for a shift to a low carbon economy. Britain must continue to lead on this issue and hopefully other countries will follow. At present, it is unfortunate to say that under the present government carbon emissions have risen rather than fallen.

3: As an individual, I have taken to switching off electrical appliances when not in use, recycling and I will continue to find ways of reducing carbon emissions and promote these ideals within my constituency."^[17]

Libel Law Reform

In February 2010, Brian Binley signed Early Day Motion 423 calling for a reform of the English libel law^[18]. The motion noted that human rights activists, scientists, writers and journalists are currently prevented from publishing, and the public prevented from reading, matters of strong public interest due to the chilling effect of the law.

References

External Links

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[0] ttp://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/1045/104502.htm

[1] ttp://www.parliament.uk/edm/2006-07/1240

[2] ttp://www.parliament.uk/edm/2009-10/908

[3] ttp://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/1820

[4] ttp://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/Committee-Commons-Nominees.pdf

[5] ttp://cornerstonegroup.wordpress.com/about/

[6] ttp://cornerstonegroup.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/the-traditional-family-is-disappearing-by-brian-binley-mp/

[7] ttp://www.parliament.uk/edm/2006-07/742

[8] ttp://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2008-05-06&number=170&display=allvotes

[9] ttp://www.parliament.uk/edm/2008-09/424

[10] ttp://c4m.org.uk/signatures/

[11] ttp://c4m.org.uk/aboutus/

[12] ttp://www.eauk.org/articles/coalition-for-marriage-launched.cfm

[13] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17102352

[14] ttp://bengoldacre.posterous.com/thinking-out-loud-who-are-the-coalition-for-m

[15] ttp://www.guardian.co.uk/science/the-lay-scientist/2012/feb/20/1

[16] ttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/climate-change-what-mps-think--a-to-c-424376.html

[17] ttp://www.parliament.uk/edm/2009-10/423

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