A debate in parliament on Drug Consumption Rooms yesterday once again exposed the blatant corruption at the heart of British politics that makes progressive reform in this country so difficult to attain.



Farcically, Victoria Atkins MP – the drugs minister – recused herself from responding to points relating to cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids “due to the potential for a conflict of interest with my husband’s business interests”.

The SNP’s Ronnie Cowan MP, who supports reform, had to cut out a section of his speech as a result. He posted the video of the debacle on Twitter:

My drugs policy debate in @HouseofCommons has just finished. However, interesting to note the Minister had to start her remarks by indicating she cannot talk about cannabis or synthetic cannabinoids due to the "potential conflict of interest with her husbands business". pic.twitter.com/9eexHLarc7 — Ronnie Cowan MP (@ronniecowan) October 23, 2018

Atkins, who opposes legalisation and decriminalisation, is married to the managing director of British Sugar, Paul Kenward. British Sugar grows cannabis seedlings for medicine in partnership with GW Pharmaceuticals. Atkins therefore benefits directly financially from keeping cannabis illegal so that her husband’s monopoly is not undermined by cheaper alternatives.

Atkins said she would ask the policing minister Nick Hurd MP write answers in lieu of her response. We wonder what he thinks about cannabis social clubs?