Weekly Round-Up

This week was Rishi Sunak’s first electoral test as Prime Minister, and it is one that he badly failed.

Yesterday’s City of Chester by-election saw the Tories get their worst result in the seat for almost 200 years, with Labour’s fantastic candidate Sam Dixon winning with a majority of over 10,000.

This kind of result shows us how people really feel after 12 years of the Conservative Party, they have had enough.

Scandals, chaos, and incompetence engulf this Government, all whilst working people continue to suffer from an economic crisis made in Downing Street.

It’s time for a general election, and it’s time for a Labour government.

BEIS Questions

Having pressed Premier Inn over the treatment of a visually impaired guest at their Enfield hotel, I raised the case with Ministers in the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy.

Businesses that flagrantly breach the Equality Act should not be allowed to get of the hook, and the Government must do more to ensure the rights of guide dog users are protected.

SME4Labour Awards

It was a pleasure to speak at SME4Labour’s awards ceremony in Parliament this week, celebrating the immense contribution small businesses make to communities up and down our country.

I’m lucky to represent a constituency in Enfield North that has a thriving and diverse small business community, with everything from restaurants and cafes, to craft shops, florists, bakers, vineyards, and so much more.

However, too many small businesses are struggling to make ends meet thanks to this Government’s shambolic handling of the economy.

The next Labour government, through making online giants pay their share of business rates and providing energy security, will be firmly on the side of small businesses, giving them the support they need.

St Andrew’s Food Bank opening

Earlier this week I joined staff and pupils at St Andrew’s School in Enfield Town, as they opened a foodbank to support local families who are struggling to make ends meet.

Whilst it is heartbreaking that in 21st-century Britain these sorts of initiatives are necessary, it is encouraging to see the innovative spirit of students and staff and their desire to support one another during such difficult times.

Read the Enfield Dispatch report here: Enfield Dispatch | Enfield primary school launches foodbank to help struggling families