As I stood up in Parliament to ask my first-ever question at Prime Minister’s Questions, I couldn’t stop thinking about Cody Fisher and his family. Cody was just 23 years old when he was stabbed to death on the dance floor of The Crane nightclub in Birmingham on Boxing Day 2022. What should have been a fun night out with friends ended in tragedy because of failings that could—and should—have been avoided.

Cody’s death has left an unimaginable hole in the lives of those who loved him. A talented young footballer, he had his whole future ahead of him. But a deadly weapon—a zombie knife—was smuggled into the venue, bypassing what the court later described as “cursory” security checks, despite over 2,000 people being there that night. It’s hard to comprehend how such a basic safety measure was overlooked, and it’s even harder to accept that no action has yet been taken to prevent something like this from happening again.

Since Cody’s murder, his family, and in particular his mum, Tracey Fisher, has been incredibly brave in her fight to make sure no other family goes through what hers has endured. Tracey is calling for “Cody’s Law,” which would make it mandatory for nightclubs and similar venues to install metal detectors and have bleed kits on site. These are simple, common-sense measures that could save lives.

When I raised this issue in Parliament, I urged the Prime Minister to honour the government’s promise to tackle knife crime by supporting Cody’s Law. His response, committing to discussions with ministers, gave me hope that this law may well be implemented. 

This isn’t just about what happened to Cody; it’s about creating safer environments for everyone. Young people should be able to enjoy their nights out — not worry that their lives are at risk. Metal detectors can stop weapons at the door, and bleed kits can buy precious time in the event of an emergency. Together, these measures could make a real difference.

Cody’s memory deserves more than words—it deserves action. His family deserves to know that his death was not in vain. Cody’s Law is a huge and necessary step forwards. 

* Manuela Perteghella has been the Liberal Democrat MP for Stratford on Avon since July 2024,