COLCHESTER’S MP has urged people to “dial down” on the language they use after receiving a barrage of abuse following a Commons vote.
MPs are facing a backlash after voting against amending a bill to stop water companies dumping raw sewage into Britain’s rivers and seas.
Only 22 Conservatives - including Harwich and North Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin - rebelled against the Government by voting for an amendment to the Environment Bill, which would have forced a legal duty upon water companies not to pump sewage into waters.
Will Quince was among one of the MPs who toed the party line, voting against the bill.
Read more: Abandoned caravan takes Colchester's fly-tipping woes to the next level
He said a barrage of abuse has been sent his way as a result of people having read “one-sided” information on the topic.
“Since the vote, I have had a handful of residents contact me expressing concerns having read one-sided and largely politically motivated posts on social media,” said Mr Quince.
“I’m afraid we are seeing more and more of this on social media. Some people don’t want the truth but their own version of it.
“People jump to conclusions, only see or want to see one side of a debate and think the worst or best of someone or something depending on their own politics and viewpoint.
“There are always two sides to every issue and debate. You may agree or disagree with this particular vote but ultimately we all want the same thing, we just have different views on how to achieve it.
“Disagreement in politics is healthy but we need to seriously dial down the rhetoric and language we use when we disagree.”
The Colchester MP went on to explain how he believed the Government is, in fact, supposedly helping to deal with the issue of sewage dumping.
He added: “Of course, I share the concerns of Colchester residents about the use of storm overflows.
“Any suggestion that MPs are not taking firm action on storm overflows is simply not true.
“The reality is this week Parliament voted in favour of taking a range of immediate steps to address storm overflows.
“These issues are, by their nature, complicated.”
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