Weekly Round-Up

Queen’s Speech

With the debate on the Queen’s speech concluding this week, it is evidently clear that this Government has a lack of ambition and a lack of clarity on their plan for the country.

Far from pursuing a “Levelling Up” agenda, we have seen continued dither and delay on the things that matter to people in Enfield North and across the UK.

Whether it be on skills, housing, crime, or health and social care, this Government’s priorities just do not chime with those of hard working people in Enfield North and across the UK. This is a Government which is more concerned with lining the pockets of their donors, than getting our country’s pandemic recovery on track.

Rather than the lack of ambition and vision from the Tories, a Labour Queen’s Speech would offer transformative change as we emerge from the pandemic so that we can make Britain the best place to grow up and grow old.

I will continue to hold the Government to account to ensure the best deal for people in Enfield North, and that their talent and potential is matched by ambitious and effective legislation.


Supporting our local businesses

This week saw the latest easing of lockdown regulations allowing hospitality businesses, who have been hit harder than most during this pandemic, to re-open indoors, with many shops and other services opening for the first time since December as well.

This start of a return to normal is the perfect opportunity for us to support our local businesses who are the backbone of our local community.

By shopping or eating local, you’re not just supporting a small business, you’re supporting the people and families behind them, and keeping money in our local community.

Through supporting and investing in our local community we’ll all be playing our part in our post-pandemic recovery, so if you’re out and about this weekend, make sure you shop local and support our small businesses in Enfield North!


Labour’s Vaccine Plan for the world

With the Prime Minister labelling 2021 Britain’s “Year of Leadership”, we have yet to see this rhetoric truly come to fruition.

One area where the UK’s leadership is needed more than ever is the global fight against COVID-19, and following the pace and success of our vaccine rollout, it is vital we provide the leadership the international community needs to ensure a successful global recovery.

This week Labour proposed the world’s largest ever coordinated investment programme – in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry – to ensure that countries across the world have the skills, technology and supplies they need to enable the safe and efficient mass production of vaccines.

Labour’s plan is one to make the world safe now and more secure in the future, and one that takes a cross-department approach to tackle the multi-faceted nature of international post-pandemic recovery. During this so-called year of British leadership, is it too much to ask for Boris Johnson’s government to do the same?


Labour’s plan to tackle violence against women and girls

Earlier this year the whole country mourned the death of 33-year-old Sarah Everard, who went missing after leaving a friend’s house near Clapham Common. While her horrific death received unprecedented press coverage, it would be a mistake to think of it as a one-off. Last year, the number of female homicide victims in England and Wales reached its highest level since 2006.

The criminal justice system is failing women and girls. Under the Conservatives, rape convictions have fallen to a record low, and across the criminal justice system, victims of crime are facing delays of up to four years.

Tackling violence against women requires sentencing changes, the creation of new offences and investment across the whole of the criminal justice system. However, an approach focussed on criminal justice alone will only act as a sticking plaster on an epidemic that is rooted in the prevalence of misogyny and inequality across our society.

Labour’s Ending Violence Against Women Green paper proposes a long-term, whole- system response that provides justice and protection for survivors, as well as delivering effective prevention, and the tackling of the social attitudes, inequality and discrimination that underpins the abuse that women and girls face.

I am proud to stand with Labour colleagues in saying enough is enough. Labour will not rest until women and girls are safe at home, in the street, at school, college and university, in the workplace and online.