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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. 

On Monday 15 November 2021 the House voted on the Lord’s amendment to the state pensions triple lock. The House of Lords amendment to the Social Security (Up-Rating of Benefits) Bill would have ensured that the triple lock for older people is reinstated. This was a promise made by the Government to soften the impact of the pandemic on pensioners amid rising bills and inflation. 

Kohima Tribute: When you go back, tell them of us and say , for their tomorrow, we gave our today. May they Rest in Peace. We will always remember them.

I was honoured to lead the procession through the town centre to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. The Rev Mark McIntyre Rural Dean of Walsall conducted the service and the address was made by The Ven Julian Francis the Archdeacon of Walsall who touched on the life of Sir David Amess and all MPs work and the contribution by BAME service personnel. 

On Remembrance Sunday we remember the fallen and those who fight for equality and justice. This year there were still a few restrictions in place. There was no service at St Lawrence and Revd Peter Silvester explained that the March and the laying of wreaths would take place at 11.am. As I was attending the Service at the Town Centre Cenotaph, I laid my wreath in the morning. We will always remember them.