On the 12th of November, Andrew Rosindell M.P. appeared at a Public Policy Exchange event to discuss his campaign to allow #APetInEveryHome.
More information can be found about the campaign and Andrew's proposed legislation, Jasmine's Law, here: https://www.rosindell.com/campaigns/pet-every-home
Thank you to Public Policy Exchange for hosting Andrew. For more about them: https://www.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk/
Extracts from the talk can be found below...
On Ten Minute Rule Bills, the likelihood of the bill passing, and its impact:
"Very rarely does a Ten Minute Rule Bill become law but it does have the effect of raising a very important issue to government. It's often picked up by government and incorporated into other legislation, or perhaps by the opposition who might then campaign for it.
So, although my bill itself is unlikely to become law, it nevertheless has had a major impact. I've had more publicity and comments about this bill than any other I've proposed in my 20 years of being an MP."
On the bill, Jasmine's Law:
"The bill is called Jasmine's Law after a dog who was prevented from living in rented accommodation.
I found out that this is widespread, it's a common problem where a pet is discarded, is prevented from living with their owner. Their owner loves their animal, but the people, or the council, or the housing association who are renting the property to the person says there is no pets allowed."
On the current situation:
"There are blanket "no pets" rules in so much of our rented accommodation in the UK. This leads to distress for the owner and the animal.
This blanket rule of "no pets" has caused, and is causing much heartache. People are preferring to be homeless than give up their animal.
This is an outdated situation where many landlords choose to have a blanket rule on this, and the welfare implications are vast."
On landlords and their response to the bill:
"Some landlords are angry, they're saying "what right have you got to tell us, it's our property" and "why should we allow animals into our property that could create harm and noise and mess"
But others have contacted me and said "we do take a more reasonable position" or "we will take a more reasonable position and look at each case as an individual situation"
Because most animals will be well behaved, most animals will not cause the problems some landlords fear."
How the bill deals with difficult animals:
"There is going to be an occasion when an animal does cause problems, and my bill accounts for that.
There has to be certain animal welfare rules and a duty of responsibility by the owner to that animal so that the owner of the animals cannot have carte blanche, but has to show responsibility and respect to their owners and their neighbours."
