2021

I appeared on ITV Central Lobby on Thursday 18 November 2021 with Gary Sambrook MP, Birmingham Northfield. Presented by Allison Mackenzie once a month, the main topics of discussion were MPs taking on second jobs, and the fallout from COP26. There was a discussion on the Integrated Rail Plan which was announced in the House earlier that day.   

In the  second Opposition Day Debate on Wednesday 17 November 2021 HM Opposition tabled a motion that would ban MPs from taking on second jobs as paid political consultants, advisors or strategists. I voted in favour of the motion. 

For the Opposition Day Debate, HM Opposition proposed a motion on Wednesday 17 November 2021. This motion refers to two Department of Health and Social Care contracts with Randox. The motion was presented in the form of a Humble Address which is a message to the Queen to call for the papers relating to the contracts: 

On Tuesday 16 November 2021 the Finance Bill passed its Second Reading in the Commons. The Finance Bill proposes tax cuts for bankers whilst working people and households face tax hikes. 

My colleague Tulip Siddiq MP in whose constituency Nazanin, Richard and Gabriella live, secured a debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 16 November 2021 as Nazanin has not yet come home from Iran. It was a packed Westminster Hall and Richard was in the audience. The MPs sat in all the seats and some had to stand. I had made a promise to Richard during his first hunger strike outside the Iranian Embassy that as the then Shadow leader of the House I would raise Nazanin, Annoosheh Ashoori and added Morad Tahbaz and Mehran Raoof every Thursday at Business Questions. I kept my word. I am grateful to Patrick Grady MP for mentioning that I did this.