I attended the Guru Nanak Gurdwara Sahib Walsall celebrations on West Bromwich Road on Saturday 16 September 2023. The celebrations marked 60 years of the Gurdwara's presence in Walsall. As Walsall's first-ever Sikh temple, the Guru Nanak Gurdwara is a vital charitable and community hub. It was set up in 1963 by some of the first Sikh settlers in Walsall, and has become a key place for many in the community, having raised thousands of pounds for local, national, and international causes. The Gurdwara hosts visitors and serves free food, known as 'langar'.The celebrations featured the Akhand Path, an unbroken reading of the Guru Granth Sahib Holy Scriptures, a number of stalls, martial arts displays, a bouncy castle and a display charting the history of the temple and its significance in Walsall.

(In the picture, I am with Balwinder Bath, a current trustee. In the main picture I am with Jag Mavi, a former trustee, and Balwinder Bath, a current trustee.) 

The APPG on Music held a meeting on 13 September, with MPs, Peers and industry figures in Portcullis House and were presented with the Music Manifesto which the APPG was informed would be presented to all the Party's Conferences in the Autumn. 

UK Music’s Interim Chief Executive Tom Kiehl and Policy and Campaign Officer Dougie Brown presented UK Music’s A Manifesto for Music at the meeting which has been developed over a number of months following consultation with stakeholders across the music industry, as well as music fans. This comprehensive document supported by the APPG showcases the medium to long-term music strategy for growth.

The Manifesto's 10 objectives for the current and the next Government are:

Encourage Responsible AI
Safeguard Copyright and Intellectual Property
Boost Music Exports
Supercharge Sector Growth
Protect Music Spaces
Improve Music Education
Progress Diversity and Inclusion
Enhance Freelancer Productions
Support Public Service Broadcasting
Utilise Music to Benefit Society

At the meeting I asked for an update about what musicians are facing touring Europe as we had heard in the Classical sector of the difficulties of touring in different countries in the European Union. I was told that it is very difficult as there are many forms musicians have to complete and require visas for all the countries as well as for the origin of their instruments. These are the same issues orchestras are facing.   

And the five key issues that need to be addressed immediately are : 

Ensure artificial intelligence (AI) supports human artistry through strong copyright standards, clear labelling and record keeping requirements, and protections for the personality rights of music makers.
Fix the European touring crisis by securing a Cultural Touring Agreement with the EU.
Introduce a tax credit to encourage new UK music production.
Invest millions more in music education and recruit 1,000 more music teachers.
Secure a fair deal for music lovers by ending rip-off secondary ticketing practices.

There are a number of other measures that UK Music is promoting in the manifesto to boost music exports, protect music spaces and progress diversity and inclusion. You can view the manifesto by clicking here. The UK’s music sector is world-leading and it has significant growth potential. The UK are the world's second-largest music exporter, home to iconic global festivals and venues, and boast some of the most well-known and sought-after musicians working today. However, there is increasing global competition vying for a share of this market. Without the actions set out in the manifesto, the UK risks being overtaken by countries that are more proactive and ambitious in promoting and supporting their music sectors. 

I attended a reception in Speakers House on 13 September 2023 for the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Jordan, Ahmad Mohammad Safadi, hosted the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. The Speakers reiterated the good relations between our two countries and remarked on the cordial collaboration between our Parliaments. It was a pleasure meeting and speaking with Mr Safadi at this reception.

His Excellency Manar Dabbas – Jordan's ambassador to the UK – was also at the reception with  the delegation of a cross-party group of MPs, including Dina Al Bashir, one of Jordan’s 15 female parliamentarians.

During his meeting with Mr Speaker, His Excellency Ahmad Safadi said he hoped a change in the law would ensure that Jordanians go to the polls in November 2024. Jordan hosts many refugees, almost 20% of the population.

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Mr Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Jordan, Ahmed Safadi,



At the reception I also had the pleasure of meeting the Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen, Dr Yassin Saeed Noman Admed.

On Tuesday, 12 September 2023, the Government introduced a motion on Dangerous Drugs. 

The motion:  "That the draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 5 September, be approved." 

The order proposes an amendment to paragraph 1(a) of part 3 of schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to bring nitrous oxide under the control of that Act as a class C drug.

In September 2021, following increasing reports of the harms associated with the use of nitrous oxide, the Government commissioned the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs ( ACMD)  to undertake an independent assessment of it. The Government requested that the ACMD include in its assessment a recommendation on the appropriate legislative control of the substance. The updated harms assessment was published in March 2023. The ACMD report did not recommend the control of nitrous oxide under the MDA, but it did note concerning health harms such as nerve damage.

I voted Aye and the motion was passed  Ayes: 404  Noes: 36. 

Show Racism the Red Card held an event in Westminster Hall on Tuesday, 12 September. Show Racism the Red Card is the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity. It was established in January 1996, thanks in part to a donation by then Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. The majority of the campaign’s work involves the delivery of educational workshops to young people and adults in schools, workplaces and at events held in football stadiums. Across the UK, SRtRC provides educational sessions to more than 50,000 individuals per year.

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MPs gathered to support the call. Also present was Paul Elliott, a former English football player.


In 1990s Newcastle, Shaka was at a petrol station near St. James’ Park when he was confronted by a group of young people shouting racist abuse at him. One of the group realised that they had been shouting at Shaka Hislop, the Newcastle United football player. This incident inspired him to harness the influence of footballers to fight racism in everyday life.
Show Racism the Red Card’s annual ‘Wear Red Day’ will be taking place on Friday 20th October 2023. Last year, 440,000 individuals registered to celebrate Wear Red Day. If you want to find out more visit their website at www.theredcard.org. I am pictured with Monty Panesar, former England international cricketer, Tanmanjeet Singh Desai MP, and Virendra Sharma MP.