REDDITCH Labour has welcomed the decision made in the House of Lords to reject controversial amendments in the government’s crime bill.

Peers voted against a range of clauses in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in the early hours of January 18.

The most controversial part of the bill is proposed restrictions on the right to protest.

Peers backed a Labour-led move that scraps the power to impose conditions on protest marches judged to be too noisy.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said they will reflect on the votes before the Bill returns to the Commons.

He added: “It is disappointing the Lords did not back the public order measures that will ensure the everyday lives of the overwhelming majority are not disrupted by a selfish minority of protesters whose actions endanger lives and cost the public millions of pounds.”

Members of Bromsgrove Labour and Redditch Labour joined forces in sending a letter to each Labour Lord and Baroness by name before they voted on amendments.

The letter stated “any protest worth having will always include noise” and the amendments "are a clear violation of article 11 in the human rights laws". 

Sam Amaar, secretary for Bromsgrove Labour said: “We are thankful to our Labour Lords and Baronesses who have heeded the calls of not only the Labour movement but also the discerning public. Having said that, sadly, the battle has not been won.

“We, the Labour movement nationally and locally will fight to bring down these preposterous proposals all the way to election day."

A spokesperson for Redditch Labour branded the proposals as “one of the most oppressive attacks on the right to protest in this country for many years."

"We are proud that the Lords supported our position in amending the Bill to protect the rights of protesters,” added the spokesperson.

“We will continue to campaign against the government's measures that it will inevitably seek to add back to the legislation when it returns to the Commons."

The Bill faces going back and forth from the House of Commons to the House of Lords with the government likely to fight for their amendments.