Rwanda Bill
It says a lot about the state of the current Conservative Party that the only “debate” they wanted to have on the Rwanda Bill is whether it’s cruel enough.  Nothing about the impact it will have on vulnerable asylum seekers fleeing persecution, the cost or even whether it will be effective.  This is the third new Conservative law in two years which Ministers have claimed will stop boat crossings – the first has been partly revoked and the second has not been fully enacted because they make the problems worse.  Instead of these costly, damaging distractions, what we need is a compassionate asylum system that provides safe and legal routes, cracks down on criminal gangs and crucially clears the backlog that is costing taxpayers more than £2 billion in hotels and causing untold damage to people fleeing persecution who are left waiting for months and years to move forward with their life.  I voted against the Rwanda Bill at second reading and am disappointed that with Tory support it went through.  Labour will continue to express our opposition as it moves through Parliament. 

Covid Corruption Commissioner
At a time when people in Hornsey & Wood Green were setting up support groups to help vulnerable neighbours, and our key workers were putting their health on the line to save others, too many were using a national crisis to get rich quick.  £8.7 billion wasted in failed and overpriced PPE contracts, like the ones that netted Tory peer Michelle Mone and her family £60 million, at a time when companies with long track records couldn’t secure government contracts.  £7.2 billion lost to Covid fraud after warnings were ignored.  The Prime Minister signed the cheques that we’re paying, and the next Labour Government will appoint a Covid Corruption Commissioner to clawback every pound we can.

 

Save the Whittington maternity unit
The Whittington Hospital maternity unit has been the birthplace of so many of my constituents.  It’s a much-loved, essential part of our community, but the local NHS is consulting on options to close maternity services in North London and closing the Whittington maternity unit is one of the options.  I believe this would be a terrible decision, disrupting access to essential healthcare services and depriving so many parents in Hornsey & Wood Green of the expert care this unit provides by forcing them to travel further away.  Support our campaign to save the Whittington

COP28
The COP agreement is an important moment for the world: signalling for the first time a global commitment to transition away from fossil fuels.  Yet despite the progress made, the world remains way off track to limit warming to 1.5 degrees and PM Rishi Sunak’s limited presence at COP28, mixed messages, and decision to send his Minister home in the middle of climate negotiations fails to offer the climate leadership we so desperately need.  I’m proud that Labour Leader Keir Starmer MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP, and Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero Ed Miliband MP, all attended COP28, spent days meeting leaders, businesses, and delegates to put forward Labour’s bold vision to cut energy bills, grow our green economy, and step up on the world stage to protect our planet for current and future generations. You can read my thoughts on COP28 here.

Regulation of Physician Associates
I spoke to the North Central London Integrated Care Board this month to discuss my concerns about the regulation of Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates.  We’re seeing more of these workers in our NHS, and whilst they can play an important role, I have previously written to Ministers to raise my concerns about the way they’re being used and the information that patients are being given.  I’ve also asked Parliamentary Questions about their regulation and supervision. 

The concerns I have are shared by the British Medical Association – their research suggests 87% of doctors feel the way Physician Associates currently work in the NHS poses a risk to patient safety.  It’s vital that patients know who they are seeing and that people in these roles aren’t working without supervision or in place of doctors.  Many of you have been in touch with me about patient safety and transparency and I will continue to raise these concerns in Parliament.

 

2023 in numbers
This year I’ve received 15,666 casework emails and my office has opened 2,600 new cases.  Housing remains the number one issue.  Whether it is people struggling in overcrowded, damp homes, being hit by a Section 21 eviction notice or seeing their rent or mortgage payments soar – it’s clear the Government has no answers on the housing crisis.   It’s four years since the Tories promised to end no-fault evictions, and despite Labour pleading with them to get legislation through Parliament, we’re still waiting.  Commitments to leasehold reform have been rolled back, and more children than ever before will spend Christmas in temporary accommodation.  The next Labour government will deliver the biggest boost to affordable, social and council housing for a generation, and we’ll start by rebuilding the dream of a safe, secure, affordable home that the Tories have taken a wrecking ball to over the last 13 years.
 
I’ve responded to almost 16,000 emails on policy issues, with a large volume of emails on the situation in Israel and Gaza as well as on the Public Order Bill, the Illegal Migration Bill, animal welfare, protecting our rail ticket offices, rental reform, and NHS funding.  I remain very proud to represent such a compassionate, engaged, diverse constituency and am grateful for your feedback on the issues that matter to you.  It is crucial to informing my work in Parliament.  
 
I’ve asked 408 Parliamentary Questions and you can view some of the most recent ones here.  I’ve also spoken 112 times in Parliamentary debates including securing a debate on the protection of our precious urban trees.  As Labour’s Shadow Foreign Minister covering Asia and the Pacific, I’ve taken part in seven Westminster Hall debates on Foreign Policy, three Urgent Questions on the floor of the House, and many Foreign Office Question sessions with debates ranging from the protection of Hong Kongers in the UK, British Nationals detained overseas, religious minorities in China and Pakistan, and the application of sanctions. I’ve also supported my colleagues in responding to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza.
 
As always, if you want to know what I’m doing on issues that concern you, do get in touch.

 

Infected Blood Scandal
Victims of the contaminated blood scandal, including my own constituents, have waited decades for justice. Too many have died waiting.  In Parliament this month I backed Labour MP Diana Johnson’s amendment calling for those affected to receive the full compensation as soon as possible.  I’m delighted the vote passed but incredibly frustrated that, despite this, the Government is still playing for time.   Labour has repeatedly said we will work on a cross party basis to get this legislation through urgently – this has been a 50-year scandal and a 5 year public inquiry.  It is utterly shameful that the wait continues, and as a member of the All-Party Group I will continue to push for justice.

• Wood Green has really missed our busy Post Office, especially in the run up to Christmas, and I’ve been campaigning hard for it to reopen.  I’m therefore delighted the new branch will finally open on Monday 22 January at Unit 38 in The Mall.  Click here to find out more and take part in the consultation to share your thoughts on plans for the new branch.
• Closing the busy Barclays in Crouch End would be a terrible decision for customers and for our high street.  Please sign and share my petition opposing the proposal. Together with Crouch End’s Labour Councillors Lester Buxton and Cressida Johnson I’ve met with Barclays bosses to urge them to think again and we will be raising our concerns with the Financial Conduct Authority.  Labour will act where the Government has failed so that every community has access to face-to-face banking.
• I visited our local Chewing Gum Artist Ben Wilson’s open studios – you can see his incredible designs in the photo collage above.
• I took part in the annual Amnesty Write for Rights campaign to stand up for victims of human rights abuses around the world.  Thank you to Jane for hosting our local event.

• I met with North Middlesex NHS Trust to discuss the winter pressures their services are facing – an issue I raised in Parliament this month.  We also discussed the work they are doing to improve maternity provision following their CQC ratings downgrade.  
• I attended the Wolves Lane Christmas Fair.  Lots of lovely stalls, beautiful greetings cards, wreath making, and delicious hot food.
• I gave a reading at the St Andrew’s Christmas Carol Service in Alexandra Park.

 

Shadow Foreign Affairs:

Sri Lanka – Justice for the Tamils
Sri Lanka is a key part of the Commonwealth family and yet for far too long those who stand accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity have escaped justice. During Foreign Office Questions I urged the Government to outline what steps they are taking to ensure justice, and support Sri Lanka’s path to democracy and prosperity.
 
Afghanistan
With the world’s focus on Ukraine and Gaza, the plight of Afghanistan has disappeared from the world’s media, but my Labour colleagues and I are determined to ensure that we do not turn our backs on the Afghan people. In recent weeks I have held repeated meetings with Afghan representatives from the media, former defence officials, and wider civil society to ensure that we – if we are entrusted with the responsibility of government – are acutely aware of the latest situation in Afghanistan and can ensure that we represent the needs of the Afghan people.
 
Jimmy Lai
As his politically motivated trial in Hong Kong opens, I raised Labour’s continued support for Jimmy Lai – a British citizen – and our consistent call for his immediate release at an Urgent Question in the Chamber. Jimmy’s detention is a further marker of the erosion of the liberties promised to Hong Kong under the legally binding Sino-British Agreement and it is vital that the Government continue to ensure Jimmy, and the people of Hong Kong, are high on their agenda. We cannot and should not turn our backs.
 
Singapore
As part of my ongoing role to engage with representatives from my Asia/Pacific brief, I held a productive meeting with the new High Commissioner from Singapore. Singapore is a significant actor in the Asia/Pacific and as part of Labour’s commitment to reconnect with our partners and allies we will be building on our already warm relationship.

 

• Mind in Haringey, for whom I am a patron, have launched their Winter Fundraiser for Mental Health.  This is a deeply challenging time for so many, and they are hoping to raise £1,000 to support their work this Christmas.
• Haringey Welcome, who do so much to stand up for refugees, have launched their crowdfunder to prevent refugee homelessness in Haringey.
• The Mayor of London’s annual winter rough sleeping campaign is fundraising for frontline homelessness charities across the capital.
• Haringey Community Food Network is a network that aims to provide as comprehensive a food service as possible to those in need.
• Jacksons Lane will again be opening their doors to make Christmas Day special for isolated older Londoners.  Support their Big Give Christmas Challenge here.
• Haringey Giving does important work all year round to improve people’s lives and build a stronger community.  You can support their work here.