Rupert Lowe may have left Nigel Farage’s Reform party, but he’s certainly keeping himself busy. Now the MP has tabled an early day motion calling for a review of sentencing practices to ensure non-violent social media offenders don’t get locked up – after the wife of a Tory councillor, Lucy Connolly, was imprisoned for posting a heated message about last summer’s riots on social media. In a rare display of cross-party collaboration between the right and left wings of the Commons, ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn startled onlookers by being the first politician to add his name to the motion’s list of signatories. But he withdrew his support just as fast, after Lowe took to Twitter to praise Jezza’s move. How odd…
Connolly was sentenced to 31 months imprisonment in October after posting on social media about the riots sparked by the horrific Southport murders. Taking to Twitter at the time, the wife of Northampton councillor Ray Connolly fumed:
Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f***ing hotels full of the b******s for all I care, while you’re at it take the treacherous government and politicians with them. I feel physically sick knowing what these families will now have to endure. If that makes me racist, so be it.
It’s quite the tirade – but whether it justifies over two years of prison time is another matter. Lowe has been vocal in calling for Connolly’s release and has even addressed the Commons on the issue – quizzing Prime Minister Keir Starmer today about whether incarcerating ‘a young mother for one foolish social media post’ is an efficient use of prison time. The PM responded that ‘sentencing is a matter for our courts’ – but that has’t deterred Lowe. His early day motion reads:
That this House notes with concern the continued imprisonment of Lucy Connolly, a young mother, for a non-violent offence; recognises that the UK’s prison system is facing unprecedented overcrowding; further notes that the use of custodial sentences for non-violent offenders, particularly primary carers, undermines family stability, disproportionately affects children, and is often counterproductive in reducing reoffending; believes that prison should be reserved for those who pose a serious risk to the public; and calls on the Government to urgently review sentencing practices, expand the use of community-based alternatives, and ensure that limited prison space is prioritised for dangerous and violent offenders, not young mothers like Lucy Connolly.
When Corbyn’s name materialised on the signatory list, Lowe tweeted excitedly that ‘this is an issue that goes beyond usual political differences’. But perhaps having his alignment with the right-winger made public was too much for Jezza – who promptly removed his support within 20 minutes of adding it. Lowe’s hopes for cross-party support on the issue aren’t completely dashed though, with Tory MP Gavin Williamson now noting his support. As outrage continues to gather online over Connolly’s incarceration, will more MPs join forces with the former Reform man? Watch this space…
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