2024: An important year ahead.

2023 was a difficult year for many in Edmonton and across the country. 13 years of successive Conservative governments has left the country in crisis. A cost-of-living crisis, a housing crisis, an energy crisis, a homelessness crisis and even a crisis in our waterways as private water companies continue to dump sewage in our rivers and seas. I received emails from almost 15,000 of my constituents in 2023. Residents from across Edmonton wrote to me about a huge range of issues, from the crisis in Gaza to their concerns about housing or home office delays.

It is within this context that 2024 will be such a pivotal year in Edmonton and the country’s history. In 2024 we will finally get the chance to get rid of this disastrous government and to begin the process of repairing the damage they have caused.

There is much work to do, from reversing austerity cuts to our public services to improving employment rights and supercharging the transition to net zero. That’s why I’m hopeful that 2024 will be a year we look back on as a moment in which Edmonton and the Country entered a new period of renewal under a Labour Government.

War Crimes in Gaza

Over the holiday period, I’ve continued to keep a close eye on developments in Gaza and the West bank. Likewise, in Edmonton, the holiday season hasn’t stopped residents from calling for a ceasefire.

Over the last week the IDF has continued to escalate the violence, committing countless war crimes against the Palestinian people. More than 21,000 Palestinians have now been killed by the IDF.

The risk of a widespread famine is high while Israel continues to starve the people of Gaza. The World Food Programme has said that ‘if death doesn’t come from airstrikes, it will come from starvation’. Only 10% of the food required for the 2.2 million people of Gaza has entered the territory in the last 70 days.

To add to the indiscriminate bombing from the air, on the ground there are increasing reports of war crimes being committed by IDF troops. On 20th December the UN Human Rights Office reported information alleging that the IDF killed at least 11 unarmed Palestinian men in front of their family members and then threw a grenade at the remaining women and children. There are further reports of IDF forces violating international law through hostage-taking and extrajudicial killings.

Israeli officials continue to openly talk of a goal of ethnically cleansing Gaza through the forced displacement of Palestinians from the territory completely. Already most of the population has been displaced and is being squeezed into an increasingly small area. Meanwhile, Israel is no closer to eliminating Hamas and is unlikely to be able to achieve that goal if it continues down the current genocidal path.

These horrific developments were inevitable when Israel announced its plans, after the 7th October Massacre, to launch a ground invasion of Gaza. Israeli officials made their intentions clear at the time and they have stuck to their word. That is why I called for a ceasefire then and have continued to call for one now. We must focus now on ending the slaughter of Civilians and delivering Aid to Gaza. Only then can we move towards an end to Israeli occupation and a two-state solution in which Palestinians and Israelis have equal rights.

Spring Budget

This week the Chancellor announced that the Spring Budget will be held on 6th March. This slightly earlier than normal date would give the Government time for both the budget and an election on May 2^nd – in line with Local Elections. Ultimately, it’s up to the Prime Minister what he does and even if he favours a spring election now, events may push him to change his mind as the year progresses. Nevertheless, the Tories are currently doing everything you would expect them to do if we were headed for an election in May.

Whenever the election comes next year, you can be sure that the Government will use this budget to play politics, rather than fix our broken country. There will be eye catching giveaways and likely more tax cuts, but no long-term strategy for a better future. On 6^th March I will be calling on the Government to reverse cuts in Local Authority Funding and to make building social housing their number one priority. A Government as out of touch as this is unlikely to listen, but we can at least be hopeful that voters in Edmonton and across the country will be able to deliver their verdict on this failing government sooner rather than later.

Help during a difficult period

This time of year can be particularly difficult. Over the winter the risk of homelessness increases, and it often feels like there are fewer ways of getting help. Added to that are increased heating costs and with prices still increasing, just affording the weekly shop can be a struggle. Early January, in particular, can be very tricky with many households having to tighten their belts after the increased costs associated with the holidays.

But there are organisations out there that are dedicated to helping those who need it. Below is a list of a few organisations that you, or somebody you know, might find it helpful to contact;

Samaritans: 116 124

CALM: 0800 58 58 58

Young Minds: 0800 018 2138

Or text SHOUT to 85258

If you are street homeless or have received an eviction notice, you should contact the Housing Advisory Service on 020 3821 1769.

Crisis at Christmas: 0300 636 197

Streetlink: 0300 500 0914

Shelter: 0300 330 1248

National Debtline: 808 808 4000

Step Change on 0800 138 1111.

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline can be called 24 hours on 0808 2000 247.

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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

Member of Parliament for Edmonton