Kate Osamor MP
|
Anti-Refugee Bill On Tuesday, I voted 18 times on Lords Amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill. Most of the Amendments were designed to make the Bill less cruel including provisions to ensure compliance with international law, grant protections to victims of modern slavery, LGBT individuals, and unaccompanied children, as well as protect children and pregnant women from detention. Regrettably, the government voted down these Lords amendments and made few compromises. This is deeply concerning as the Bill, beyond its well-publicized assault on human rights and ethical treatment, is fundamentally unworkable. It fails to address the broader challenges within our asylum system and instead focuses on creating unnecessary misery for vulnerable people. If passed, the Bill will endanger refugees and victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery, undermine judicial oversight, remove safeguards ensuring government accountability, contravene our international obligations, and weaken our domestic human rights protections. Final amendments will now be considered next week before this awful Bill is sadly likely to become law. But I will continue to oppose the persecution of refugees. Persecuting refugees won’t solve the refugee crisis. To do that we need an internationalist approach, working alongside our allies to build a more stable and peaceful road. We should also proudly play our part in helping those refugees who seek safety in our country. That doesn’t just make economic sense, as our economy is current hampered by a severe shortage of workers, but it is the morally right thing to do. |
|
|
Stephen Lawrence Debate On Wednesday I spoke at a Westminster Hall debate on the Metropolitan Polices investigation into the Stephen Lawrence Murder. This was an important opportunity to discuss the ongoing issues surrounding the investigation and its implications for justice and accountability. The racist murder of Stephen Lawrence 30 years ago led to the Macpherson inquiry which found the police to be institutionally racist. In the 30 years since things have only gotten worse and just a few months ago another inquiry, this time by Baroness Louise Casey found the Metropolitan police to be institutionally racist, sexist, homophobic and corrupt. I used my speech to express my deep appreciation for being invited to attend the memorial service held in April, marking the 30th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s death. I highlighted the relentless campaign led by Baroness Lawrence, Stephen’s mother, which ultimately led to the conviction of two individuals involved in his murder. It is through her unwavering determination that we continue to seek justice for Stephen and strive to prevent similar injustices from occurring. But sadly, the reality is that instances of police malpractice are still being uncovered, demonstrating the need for systemic reforms within the Metropolitan Police. It is deeply troubling that black individuals, including the Lawrence family, have faced surveillance and suspicion in their pursuit of justice. Following years of failure to deal with institutional corruption its time that those in power step in and hold the Metropolitan police to account. Police must be held accountable for their actions and the progress of reforms need to be closely watched. The future of the Metropolitan Police in its current form should be dependent on the ability of the new commissioner to implement the Casey recommendations. Any failure to do must spell the end of the force as we know it. |
|
|
Vaping Harm This week Parliament debated an important Labour party motion on protecting children from the harms of vaping. The alarming increase in underage vaping and its potential risks to children’s health is something that constituents across Edmonton have increasingly contacted me about in recent years. While vaping can be an effective method for adults to quit smoking, it is not without its dangers, and it is our responsibility to prevent children from being exposed to nicotine and harmful substances at such a young age. The most effective way of doing that is not through prohibition (the so-called war on drugs) but through regulation. The Tories have chosen to defend the profits of vape companies instead of the health of children. They voted against measures to prohibit branding on e-cigarette packaging that could appeal to children, and they have not fulfilled their promise to publish a tobacco control plan by the end of 2021. We must act to bring vaping regulations in line with those that are already in place for normal cigarettes. Branding and advertising regulations need to be introduced so that children are no longer targeted by companies who bottom line relies our children becoming addicted to their products. |
|
The Waiting Room I know how difficult things are for young people in Edmonton. There is no doubt that younger people are growing up in far more challenging environment than previous generations. On average they have more debt, earn less, have less job security and less chance of living in secure and affordable housing their parents’ generation. All that after more than a decade in which public services have been cut to the bone and in world that is less stable than ever. With that in mind I want to point younger people, and anybody else, to the link below. The North Central London Waiting Hub is an online resource with over 300 wellbeing options. Hopefully this can be of help to those who need it during these difficult times. |
|
Thank you for taking the time to read my latest update, if you have any issues that you would like to raise directly with me then please do email edmontonconstituency@parliament.uk . I’m always happy to help whenever possible. Kind regards, Kate Osamor Member of Parliament for Edmonton |