Here is a summary of my work for Brighton Pavilion locally and in Parliament from November 23- November 29. As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need my help with anything.
Climate March
On Sunday I joined thousands of people in London who were marching ahead of the international climate talks in Paris. In a speech before the March set off I said: “In towns and cities all around the UK and all around the world, people are rising up in hope, solidarity and determination to make change happen.
“We are already way ahead of the governments who lack the political will to act, and way ahead of those corporate interests who are blocking the changes we need.
But already we know - together we are more powerful than they can possibly imagine. And we will use that power to build a better future.”
You can see a video of my speech here (sorry for the low quality!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Spending Review
Last Wednesday the Government unveiled their Comprehensive Spending Review. Though there were some welcome announcements, notably the u-turns on tax credits and police cuts, the overall direction of travel set out by George Osborne is bleak.
The Government is on a mission to strip back the state to its barebones. UK Government spending, as a proportion of GDP, is set to drop faster than any other major economies, and possibly to levels below even the USA. Our welfare state is already creaking - further cuts to local authority grants are likely to have devastating results on people across the country. In Brighton we're already facing the threat of children's centres closing and cutbacks in special educational needs (SEN) provision, and further cuts to local government grants will put even more services in jeopardy.
For more details on my reaction see the blog I wrote on Thursday: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.
Syria
Last Thursday there was a statement from the Prime Minister about his proposed military intervention in Syria. It’s likely that a vote on the issue will happen this week in the House of Commons.
I will be voting against the air strikes because I believe that they will neither make us safer in the UK nor help end the barbaric actions of ISIL and the civil war in Syria. It’s a hugely complex issue, and the sad truth is that there is no simple way to solve the crisis. I’ve set out my position in a piece in the Huffington Post this morning and also spoke to the PM programme about the issue last week.
Strategic Defence Review
On Monday of last week the Government announced plans for a big increase in spending on defence, and the purchasing of new drones, fighter jets and naval boats.
In a piece for the New Statesman I argued that the Government shouldn’t solely be focussing on buying new military hardware when looking to protect Britain’s national security. They should also look to the causes of war, including the global arms trade, diplomatic breakdowns and climate change – and give equal weight to preventing armed conflict as they do to gearing up for it.
Trident Debate
Last Tuesday I spoke in a debate in the House of Commons on Trident. I made clear my belief that nuclear weapons, the possession of them and the willingness to use them, are illegal, immoral and a grotesque diversion of resources from the real threats we face.
You can watch my speech here: http://parliamentlive.tv/
Fuel Poverty Campaigners come to Parliament
Last week a group of fuel poverty campaigners came to Parliament to make their case for urgent action to address the growing number of winter-related deaths in Britain.
It’s estimated that up to 30% of winter related deaths – of which there were over 43,000 last year- are due to cold homes. I fully support calls for the Government to urgently invest in a nationwide energy efficiency scheme which would save lives, cut bills and create jobs.
RNIB in Parliament
I attended a parliamentary reception hosted by The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), and supported by Blind Veterans UK, for the launch of RNIB’s new report ‘See the need’. The report calls for every eye department in the UK to have access to a sight loss adviser, to support people when they’re told that they’re losing, or have permanently lost, their sight.
With eye departments currently at full capacity due to our ageing population, and demand for services set to increase, ophthalmologists lack the time they’d like to provide support.
You can read the report here: http://www.rnib.org.uk/see
HIV Testing
On Friday I took an HIV test as part of a campaign by the Terence Higgins Trust during National HIV Testing Week. Early testing and diagnosis are key to combating this epidemic and we need to remove the stigma around HIV testing.
There are now a range of testing options available from postal tests, to GUM clinics, community sites and home testing.
It was great to see people across Brighton and Hove backing National HIV Testing Week and encouraging everyone to take a test. You can find your nearest HIV testing centre here: http://www.tht.org.uk/our-
Supply teachers Campaign
On Friday I met my constituent Angela Travis, a member of the NUT who is campaigning to stop supply teacher agenciesripping off taxpayers.
Supply teachers are a crucial part of our school system – stepping in when needed to ensure that children get the education they deserve. It is, therefore, deeply concerning that the hard work of supply teachers is being undermined by profiteering agencies who charge outrageous fees.
The school’s budget should be spent on improving children’s education and providing all teachers with fair pay and conditions – not lining the pockets of shareholders in these agencies. I support the NUT’s call for a public and efficient system for sourcing supply teachers.”
Student Union Surgery
On Friday I was at the University of Sussex Students’ Union. It was great to have a surgery up there and I spoke to students about a whole host of topics, including student loans, inequalities in access to fertility treatment, and the war in Syria.
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