The House of Lords has passed a bill – or draft law – put forward by Simon Kirby, the Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown.
His Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges Bill completed its third reading yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 15 January).
The bill – a private members’ bill – will now almost certainly become law as it requires only the royal assent, usually a formality.
MPs and peers from across the political spectrum supported the bill in both the House of Commons and the Lords.
Mr Kirby said: “This bill will make significant improvements to the Blue Badge scheme, making it much better for disabled people who rely on the availability of disabled parking spaces.
“I am delighted that it has been so well received in both Houses of Parliament.
“It is now on the verge of becoming law, which is fantastic news for genuine users of disabled parking spaces in my constituency and across England and Wales.”
Simon Kirby is shaping up as a more effective, useful and interesting MP than I expected.
I find it hard to believe MPs in parliament really want to do anything to help disabled people. Mark my words, there’ll be a catch somewhere…
I understand on the new Blue Badge scheme, when my new badge is due, I will have to attend the Town Hall or library next door to pick it up in person. I am agoraphobic, and I use my badge maybe 10 times a year for medical trips. I haven’t been to the Town Hall since the 1990s (maybe the 1980s) and there’s no way I will be going to pick up my badge. You have to go in person for them to see that you are the person who sent in the photo with the application, so I cannot send someone else (there is no one, anyway).
Every damned thing, every damned thing is a flaming obstacle course, and I’m about all done, now. Bet they’ll be charging for euthanasia, next.