Rethink: Parliamentary committee calls for mental health law to be repealed

Monday, 11 January 2010 12:00 AM

The Speaker's Conference on Parliamentary Representation (1) has today (Monday 11th January) recommended the repeal of legislation that strips MPs of their seats if they receive long-term treatment under the Mental Health Act (2), regardless of voters' wishes. The committee, which included former Home Secretary David Blunkett, made their recommendation after hearing evidence from mental health charity Rethink (3) and former No 10 Communications Director Alastair Campbell.

Rethink's Director or Public Affairs, Paul Corry said:

"Section 141 forces MPs to give up their seats if they're getting long-term treatment under the Mental Health Act even if local residents want them to stay on. There's no similar provision applying to MPs being treated long-term for physical illnesses. I told the committee about the huge problem with stigma and discrimination that 90% of people with mental health conditions have to deal with on a daily basis. Discriminatory laws like this can stop people who want to be open about their mental health standing for public office or getting involved in politics. It's totally unnecessary; people who have been unwell can get better and do a good job."

Former No 10 Communications Director Alastair Campbell gave evidence to the committee and supports Rethink's view. He said:

"I am really pleased the committee has made the decision to recommend getting rid of an outdated and unnecessary piece of legislation which cements discrimination on the grounds of mental ill health. And I hope the government quickly implements the change being recommended. If one in four of us will at some time struggle with mental illness, why should our MPs be any different? It's simply wrong to assume that someone who's had a mental health problem can't get better and still do a demanding job. Look at the former Norwegian Prime Minister - he had serious depression, but then he came back and got re-elected. We're far too quick to write people off when they've had mental health problems."

Mr Campbell, who has experienced mental illness himself, continued:

"An MP could be in a coma and there's nothing in the law to say they'd lose their seat; but if it's mental health they're getting lengthy hospital treatment for, the law says they're out. It's symbolic of the stigma around mental health - and the Government could send a powerful message against that stigma by changing the law".

FOR FURTHER INFO / COMMENT CALL RETHINK ON 020 7840 3146 or 07734 150039

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. On 12 November 2008 the House of Commons agreed to establish a new committee, to be chaired by the Speaker and known as the Speaker's Conference. The Conference has been asked to: "Consider, and make recommendations for rectifying, the disparity between the representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people in the House of Commons and their representation in the UK population at large".

2. The report contains the following recommendation: 64. We believe that s141 of the 1983 Mental Health Act is unnecessary and damaging. It embodies attitudes which stigmatise and sap the confidence of people with mental illness. Section 141 should be repealed as soon as practicable. (Paragraph 327)

3. Rethink, the leading national mental health membership charity, works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life.We were founded over 30 years ago to give a voice to people affected by severe mental illness and today, with over 8,300 members, we remain determined that this voice will continue to be heard. We help over 48,000 people every year through our services, support groups and by providing information on mental health problems. Our website receives over 300,000 visitors every year. www.rethink.org

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