Local MP lends his support to help achieve long-overdue reform to give children equal protection under the law on assault.

Michael Connarty MP for Linlithgow & East Falkirk has joined a list of 129 Labour MPâ€™s calling for the Government to allow A free vote on equal protection for children. This means that MPâ€™s would be allowed a free vote when the proposal to give children the same protection as adults under the law on assault is put before the House of Commons.

Michael said, “As a parent, I never found it necessary to physically strike my children and they appear to have grown into well balanced caring and considerate adults, who themselves do not believe physical punishment is required to bring up their children”

“Unfortunately, evidence suggests that physically punishing children leads to the next generation also using physical punishment.

It really is time to stop physical punishment of Children NOW. The government should accept this is a matter of conscience for MPs and leave it to a Free Vote. I personally will not be able to vote to treat children differently from adults in the matter of allowing them to be assaulted, even by their parents.”