We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza

In Parliament last week, I put my name to Labour’s amendment calling FOR an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the release and return of all hostages, an end to settlement expansion and settler violence and condemning any military assault on Rafah.  Our motion went much further than the SNP motion – it included a call for Israel to comply in full with the ICJ ruling and supports recognition of Palestine as a contribution to, rather than an outcome, of a two-state solution. 

Crucially, Labour sought to put forward an amendment the whole house could get behind and with the SNP, along with many Conservative Members, indicating that they would vote for it, I believe it was right that it should have been put to the vote.  I am glad it passed but the Tory decision to withdraw from the debate at the last-minute resulting in the SNP motion not being heard, and the resulting chaotic scenes on a matter of such importance were incredibly disappointing.  This isn’t an issue that should be a party-political game and the priority going forward must be working together to try and ensure the ambitions in our motion (which you can read in full here) are achieved.  Labour will continue doing everything we can to bring a desperately needed end to the suffering and secure a lasting peace. 

This month, I was also pleased to welcome Shadow International Development Secretary Lisa Nandy MP to Hornsey & Friern Barnet to set out the work Labour has been doing since 7 October to lead the aid effort.  My website goes into much more detail, but most recently this includes:
 

• Urging the UK Government to ensure there is no interruption in the flow of funding to UNRWA in the next financial year.
• Visiting Egypt to understand the limitations of aid flow through the Rafah crossing.
• Pushing strongly for the Kerem Shalom to be opened to increase aid capacity.
• Calling for UK air drops of aid and the establishment of a British field hospital within Gaza.
• Meeting with British Palestinian families and raising the need for a children’s plan including the evacuation for surgery of children with urgent medical needs. 

I remain extremely concerned about the impact these events are having right here in our own community with a worrying rise in anti-semitism and Islamophobia.  My team and I are in regular contact with Haringey Police and local faith leaders and this week I attended a meeting co-ordinated by Council Leader Cllr Ahmet bringing together the council, the police and representatives from the Jewish community here in Haringey to discuss concerns and support.  Find out how you can report any concerns on my website.

Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan

Since I was first elected I’ve campaigned and spoken out forcefully for the need to put the environment at the front and centre of our politics. The climate crisis is the greatest threat facing not only the UK, but communities throughout the world – including some of the poorest and most disadvantaged.  Labour’s pledge to spend £28 billion per year was made in a very different economic time, before Liz Truss and the Tories crashed the economy and led to rocketing interest rates, increasing numbers of people losing their homes, and ballooning debt.  But Labour is still committed to a significant ramping up of capital investment in the green economy, significantly more than any other Party which seeks to govern the UK while being sensible with public finances and spending on other priorities as well, like fixing the NHS and boosting our education system. Click here to read about our Green Prosperity Plan, with a publicly owned Great British Energy company, a £6.6 billion programme to insulate Britain’s cold and leaky homes, and plans to create thousands of new, green jobs. 

Stop the criminalisation of homelessness

When the then Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, called homelessness a “lifestyle choice”, the Prime Minister stood by her. After 14 years in power, the Tories are now blaming homeless people rather than themselves. Not only is the government not building enough houses, but we also have a chronic lack of social housing. The Government’s plans to criminalise homelessness are wrong, cruel, and unworkable.  Instead of further stigmatising vulnerable people, I urge the government to get on with banning Section 21 and enact a national homebuilding programme to increase access to social housing and affordable homes.  A Labour Government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes over five years, including additional support for first-time buyers.

Presenting my petition to Save Barclays Bank in Crouch End

Thank you to everyone who signed my petition opposing the closure of Barclays Bank in Crouch End, barely a year since their Muswell Hill branch closed.  I presented it in Parliament last week – watch here - and will continue pushing the Government to do more to defend face-to-face banking.  A Labour Government would legislate to ensure every community has access to high street banking services.

Keeping our community safe

I hosted Haringey’s Youth Advisory Board and students from St Thomas More in Parliament to listen to their thoughts on how we can make our borough safer.  They had some great and thoughtful ideas and I look forward to following up at one of their Youth Advisory Board meetings, bringing together key representatives from the council, Mayor of London’s office, Police and partners.

Following my walkabout with Muswell Hill traders before Christmas, I was back there this month together with Haringey Police to discuss the issues they’ve been experiencing and the increasing number of unacceptable incidents of violence and abuse faced by shop workers – an issue Labour has been raising in Parliament.  As a result of this walkabout, the Police have reopened an investigation into a recent shop theft, and I was also pleased to hear that evidence has been secured to detail and charge a suspect in another recent incident.  I’ll shortly be doing a similar walkabout with traders in Crouch End. 

Shadow Foreign Affairs:

Japan

I was delighted to make my second visit to Japan this month as part of a cross-Party delegation with the Japan Society. Japan is a significant partner for the UK in the Asia-Pacific with deepening economic, security, and trade ties. As shadow Asia Minister I have made it clear that Labour cherishes and supports the relationship with Japan and I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Kishida, the Foreign Minister, and a range of UK and Japanese businesses to underline Labour’s position.

 

Indonesia

Following the recent elections in Indonesia I had the opportunity to discuss the conduct, the outcome, and the bilateral relationship with the Indonesian Ambassador to the UK. There is great potential for a deepening of our relationship with Indonesia given its strategic location and its growing population. Labour is committed to reconnecting with the wider region if we are entrusted with the responsibility of government and deepening our partnership with countries like Indonesia would be a key part of this approach.

Here to help: