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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics
James Morris

Civility in Politics: New awards scheme set up to counter Westminster division and recognise politicians who show courtesy

A new awards scheme has been set up to recognise politicians who show courtesy in their work.

It comes after a divisive week in Westminster following the return of Parliament.

It was marked by threats against MPs and outrage over the language used by the likes of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

To counter the division, the “Civility in Politics” awards were announced on Friday, with the politician of the year to be awarded £3,000 to give to charity.

Boris Johnson has been criticised for the tone of language he has used in the Commons chamber (Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament)

Lord Stewart, announcing the awards, said: "Everyone agrees that politics in the UK is facing a crisis of trust and a crisis of civility.

"As divisions and bitterness mount in the continuing debates around Brexit, we strongly believe that politics has to respond not by mirroring these trends, but by bucking them.

"These awards are a small attempt by a group of people in public life - of different and no political persuasions - to shine a spotlight on politicians who argue their case with decency and civility, and are able to engage and work with people across the divides that affect us all.”

Nominations will open on Saturday, with an award ceremony in March next year.

In an exclusive interview with the Standard, former Cabinet minister Amber Rudd today accused Mr Johnson of deploying aggressive language that “does incite violence”.

Mr Johnson, for his part, said he “deplores” threats made against MPs.

On Thursday, Labour MP Jess Phillips – another one of those to have criticised Mr Johnson – said a man was arrested after trying to "kick the door" of her constituency office while reportedly shouting that she was a "fascist".

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson, meanwhile, was speaking to police following threats made to one of her young children.

And in a viral Twitter thread, Ellie Cooper, the daughter of senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper, described her fears for her mother in the wake of Ms Cox's murder . She accused Mr Johnson of "using language that helps incite violence toward MPs".

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