Tory MP says back garden fireworks displays are 'rubbish' and should be banned

Philip Hollobone backed a petition but appeared to go further

A man takes part in the International Fireworks Fair in Indaparapeo municipality, in Michoacan State, Mexico

Amateur back garden fireworks displays are “rubbish” and should be banned, a Conservative MP has said.

Philip Hollobone told a parliamentary debate that all displays should be professionally licensed in future.

“I think there's great merit in saying all fireworks displays need to be licensed with a licensed operator, and frankly, amateur family-organised fireworks displays in people's back gardens are basically rubbish,” he said.

The debate was called over “random back garden fireworks” after a petition to restrict them was signed by more than 100,000 people.

Labour MP Angela Smith, who sits on the Environment Select Committee, said that “ideally” the policy would be ended but conceded there would be “difficulty in delivering that as a policy”.

The petitioners said: “Fireworks now occur at all times of the day and evening for many weeks during the autumn and winter.

“Pet and animal owners struggle to keep their companion animals safe during this extended period.

“We call for fireworks use by the general public to be permitted on traditional celebration dates only.”

Philip Hollobone

The Government rejected the plan, however. Business minister Jo Johnson said prohibition was unlikely to work.

“It is likely that those who already use fireworks in an anti-social or inconsiderate way would not be deterred by further regulation,” he said.

“Restrictions in use could lead to a drop in legitimate sales, leading to job losses not only in the firework industry but independent and associated businesses.”