Caroline's Weekly Update: 2nd November

Here is a summary of my work for Brighton Pavilion locally and in Parliament from October 26- November 2. As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need my help with anything. 

Shaker Aamer is released

On Friday we received the long awaited and hugely welcome news that Shaker Aamer had been released from Guantanamo Bay. Shaker’s prolonged detention was entirely unjustifiable. 

Going forward, it is crucial that the Government and security services guarantee the safety of Shaker and his family. His lawyers must be also allowed to implement a care programme for him without any interference. 

Shaker’s case reinforces the urgent need for the judge-led enquiry into UK complicity in torture that the Prime Minister promised in 2010 but then backtracked on. I’ll be continuing to campaign for that inquiry – and for justice for all those illegally detained at Guantanamo.

You read more about Shaker here: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/01/shaker-aamer-guantanamo-pos...

Drone Inquiry

I was very pleased to learn that MPs are set to investigate the "intelligence basis" for a UK drone strike which killed two British citizens in Syria.  

The announcement of this inquiry is welcome.

As set out in the legal challenge to the Government made by Jenny Jones and I, there has been a complete absence of parliamentary scrutiny or approval of the Government’s ‘kill policy’.  I’m glad our challenge has pushed this issue up the political agenda. This inquiry must urgently work to clarify the legal framework in which the UK is acting. In the meantime the Government should suspend its targeted kill policy.

In the USA former heads of defence and others have called their secret use of drones a ‘failed strategy’ - not least because it has recruited more people to anti-American causes.

To be effective at countering terrorism we must ensure we act lawfully. It’s crucial that the UK’s actions to date and moving forward are subject to proper debate and scrutiny.

 

Hinkley

The potentially astronomical costs of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley were further revealed last week. Details of the costs – an average of about £150 to £660 per customer over the 35 years of the deal – were exposed in a document that the Government slipped out before parliament last week without any announcement. The Government’s attempt to sneak this through using an obscure and opaque parliamentary procedure is truly shocking. The decision to accept such an enormous liability for Hinkley must not go ahead without proper scrutiny.

Ministers must be honest about the sums involved. Concerns have been raised that the £19bn liability in the departmental minute could in fact be up to £45bn.

Last week I tabled a motion to demand a full examination of this matter. You can read more about it here: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/oct/29/hinkley-point-c-nucle...

 

Car parking charges for carers

On Friday a bill was debated in Parliament which aims to give free parking at hospitals for carers. The bill would place a duty on all health bodies  to provide free car parking for carers who receive carers’ allowance and secondly to require  them to develop a strategy within 12 months to provide free parking for all eligible carers. Unfortunately some Tory backbenchers decided to attempt to ‘talk out’ the bill but I’ll continue to support this campaign. 

 

Junior Doctors

I’ve continued to campaign for a fair deal for junior doctors. Over the coming weeks junior doctors will be thinking long and hard about whether or not to go on strike. I met almost 50 doctors at my constituency surgery earlier this month, and I've heard from many more who have written to me.

They take the Hippocratic Oath seriously – and will do all they can to avoid putting patients at risk - but they are reaching the end of their tether with a government seemingly intent on undermining the work they do. Whether or not they vote to strike, it is crucial that those of us who believe in an NHS staffed by motivated and respected professionals rally behind them.

I voted in favour of an opposition day motion last Wednesday which supports Doctors – and my EDM (and a related amendment) has now been supported by almost 100 MPs. I also wrote a piece about Junior Doctors for politics.co.uk

 

Green Investment Bank

In Parliament last Thursday I challenged the Government over the privatisation of the Green Investment bank. Earlier this year it was revealed that Britain has just hit a 12 year low when it comes to attracting renewable investment.  I’m deeply concerned that the bank could become more risk-averse and less willing to fund the kind of projects we desperately need in the UK.

Unfortunately, rather than address my concerns, the Minister responsible suggested I should simply be more positive about his Government’s failing record.

 

Hospice Visit

On Friday I visited Martlet’s Hospice in Hove. The work they do there is truly remarkable – and they make a real difference for people at the end of life and their families. I am honoured that the hospice has asked me to become a patron – and I hope to do my best to promote the work of the hospice movement. You can read more about the Hospice's amazing work here: http://www.themartlets.org.uk/home/index.html 

 

South Downs National Park

A meeting with the Chief Executive of the South Downs National Park was a useful opportunity to discuss concerns about the government’s plans to frack in sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) and areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs) contrary to their earlier pledge. The meeting also offered the opportunity to appreciate the wide-ranging work the Park does with school children - doing all they can to ensure that all children get the opportunity to spend time in wild spaces, and to explore the natural world at first hand.

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