DOZENS of people from in and around Ilminster came together on Saturday to present their MP with a petition.

Ry Coffman, on behalf of 38 Degrees, and supporters handed a petition against a ‘gagging law’ signed by 188,000 people nationwide to David Laws MP during his advice centre at the 3D Sensory Centre in Wharf Lane.

It asks the coalition Government to re-examine – and amend or scrap – the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill going through the House of Lords.

Mrs Coffman said: “The Bill is being rushed through Parliament with the intention of being in force a year before the run-up to the election in 2015.

“The Bill will severely curtail the activities of charities and democratic campaigning groups like 38 Degrees, while allowing corporate lobbying to continue practically unaffected.”