Bill of No Rights

This week in Parliament the Government introduced legislation that would introduce a ‘Bill of Rights’ and replace the existing Human Rights Act. The current Human Rights Act incorporated rights set out in the European Convention on human rights into domestic law, which was itself a British led project as we attempted to introduce existing British rights across Europe directly after the second world war.

It’s often the case that whatever the Government says a Bill will do, it does the opposite. The ‘Bill of rights’ is no different. Instead of strengthening the rights of individuals it will weaken them. The new Bill of Rights will introduce a ‘permission stage’ for human rights claims that will make it harder for ordinary individuals to bring claims. The bill also fundamentally relegates human rights to a secondary consideration below the rights of the Government to legislate as it sees fit.

From the victims of the Hillsborough disaster to military veterans – many people have used the Human Rights Act to get justice that might otherwise have alluded them. This move by the government is yet another erosion of our democracy and a huge set back for our rights.

Windrush Day

This Wednesday was Windrush Day, an opportunity to remember the huge contribution the Windrush generation has made to Britain. Britain wouldn’t be the country it is today without the thousands of African and Caribbean people who migrated to the UK after the second world war. Encouraged by the government, they made this country their home and despite the racism that so many faced their communities flourished and became as much a part of this country as any other of the many migrants who have arrived at our shores over hundreds of years. The UK is an island that has absorbed so much of what is great from across the globe and the Windrush generation are an example of just that.

But we must also not forget the disgusting betrayal of that generation by this government. Five years since the Windrush Scandal gained national attention and still most are yet to achieve justice. Over decades the Home Office wrongly deprived many of the Windrush generation their fundamental rights as British Citizens. They were deported, imprisoned and lost their jobs, homes and even family. Yet only 1 in 4 of those affected by the scandal have received any compensation. That is unacceptable and needs to change. Unfortunately for the victims of this scandal, it’s clear they will never get justice under a Tory Government.

Britain needs a pay rise

Solidarity with all rail workers who were out on strike this week, fighting against pay cuts and redundancies. It is shameful that the Government has stepped in to prevent rail bosses from reaching a compromise with workers simply because the Tories believe that a Strike will benefit them politically.

Across the country people are suffering as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. While inflation is being driven by excessive profits and global forces, wages have been kept artificially low by bosses who are unwilling to see their huge profits reduced even as workers struggle to get by. That has to change and it’s uplifting to see workers finally saying enough is enough and fighting against another real term pay cut.

It’s not just rail workers who need a pay rise, workers up and down the country are long due one. Since the Tories first got into Government twelve years ago, wages have stagnated and in the last year they have fallen at record rates. Yet a wage rise for ordinary workers is exactly what the economy needs right now. Reducing excess profits and instead passing these on to workers is what is needed to help to re-ignite our faltering economy.

It’s time for the Government to get out of the way and allow rail bosses to negotiate with the RMT. Rail workers deserve a decent wage and hopefully when they do get it then it will begin the process of giving workers across the country the pay rise they so badly need.

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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 MP