2022

On 1 March 2022 I signed the Ukraine Book of Solidarity, in the House of Commons Library. This Book will be sent to Mr Ruslan Stefanchuk. As Chairman of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, Mr Stefanchuk is the counterpart of the Speaker of the House of Commons.  I hope that the Book will convey to members of the parliament of Ukraine the depth of support they have within our own Parliament. The Ukrainian people have shown extraordinary courage in response to the Russian invasion, including acts which are being investigated by the International Criminal Court as possible war crimes.

Amendments made by the House of Lords to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill on Monday 28 February 2022. The Bill includes appalling attempts by the Government to restrict our democratic right to protest. Votes were held until shortly before 1 o’clock in the morning. The Government motions were to remove the Lords Amendment in question. As such, an ‘Aye’ vote is to remove the amendment, and a ‘No’ vote is a vote to retain the amendment. LA 72 would add sex or gender to hate crime legislation, sometimes referred to by campaigners as ‘making misogyny a hate crime’. I voted against the motion, which was passed,  Ayes: 314 and Noes: 190.

This is the latest advice for those who are directly affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. UK nationals in Ukraine: Any constituents in Ukraine should heed the travel advice issued by the FCDO here. This website will also enable those in difficulties to receive automated messages as and when new advice is issued, as well as to register their presence with the FCDO. As of 25 February 2022, the current FCDO advice is that ‘all British nationals in Ukraine should leave immediately if is safe to do so’. Commercial routes out of the country have been severely disrupted, and, as of 24 February 2022 Ukraine’s airspace has closed to civilian aircraft.

The House met twice this week to hear from and question the Prime Minister about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, on Tuesday 22 and Thursday 24 February 2022. HM Opposition Labour Party’s position is: Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine is an unprovoked, unjustifiable outrage and a heinous violation of international law that will have tragic consequences.

HM Opposition Day on Wednesday 23 February 2022 was used to debate the non-commissioned exempt accommodation sector. Labour laid the following motion. “That this House notes the significant increase in the numbers of people housed in non-commissioned exempt accommodation under successive Conservative Governments;