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MP’S UPDATE FOR BRENTFORD AND ISLEWORTH RESIDENTS MAY 2023

 

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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RAISE ISSUES WITH ME AS YOUR MP PLEASE EMAIL
ON [email protected] WITH YOUR ADDRESS, A QUICK SUMMARY OF THE
ISSUE (AND RELEVANT REFERENCE NUMBERS).   

 

SEE MY WEB PAGE  [1]FOR INFORMATION ON LOCAL AND NATIONAL SERVICES.

 

ILLEGAL MIGRATION BILL

 

I opposed the Government's latest attack on asylum seekers and refugees in
the votes on the “Illegal Migration” Bill at its 3rd reading. The bill
is now on its way to the Lords. If passed into law this terrible
legislation will undermine the UK’s historic commitment to provide asylum
to those with a legitimate claim because they are fleeing war, persecution
and discrimination.

 

We have a proud history of helping those in need; from the Huguenot
protestants fleeing France in the 1600s, Jews fleeing the pogroms in
Russia, to those who’ve been forced out of Syria and Afghanistan and many
more parts of the world besides.   Even Conservatives like Theresa May
criticised the Government for their cruel approach to some of the most
vulnerable people in the world.  I know from the dozens and dozens of
emails I’ve had from people locally that they oppose this bill, and I
will continue to oppose it when it comes back to the Commons.

IN THE CHAMBER

(a short list as half of April was the Easter Recess)

At an Urgent Question session on violence in ISRAEL AND THE OCCUPIED
PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, I condemned [2] the Israeli settler violence
against Palestinian civilians over the recent weeks and months, and asked
whether the UK Govt has raised this issue with the Israeli Government.

I used Transport Questions to tackle the Government on its inconsistent
approach to its clean air policies.   I asked [3] why they refuse to
provide funding for the London Mayor’s ULEZ SCRAPPAGE SCHEME to support
those needing to replace a non-compliant vehicle - despite the fact they
are providing funding for other cities like Birmingham.

 

A further Interim Report on the INFECTED BLOOD INQUIRY enabled me to ask
the Paymaster General if the scheme will be up and running by the end of
2023, as was recommended by the inquiry report. Too many affected people
and their families have already been waiting too long for justice

 

PARLIAMENTARY EVENTS

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I welcomed local Young Carers to Parliament – their support programme [4]
is provided by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust which includes
one-to-one mentoring, after school clubs, day trips and more.

At TRANSPORT COMMITTEE I challenged the Secretary of State Mark Harper on
the cuts to cycling and walking budgets so soon after the Government
created Active Travel England. This agency was set up to deliver safe
alternatives to vehicle travel across the country. 

 

Then in a session on the anti-strike Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill,
I pushed the Rail Operators to admit that they had not sought this
draconian legislation, and furthermore had no idea how to implement it if
it becomes law.

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I spent two days in Paris attending the OECD PARLIAMENTARY NETWORK with
Parliamentarians from across the world.   Our cross-party UK delegation
discussed the global economic outlook, labour market challenges, different
approaches to carbon mitigation, gender equality in politics, combating
mis-and dis-information, and promoting integrity in elections.   The OECD
(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is essentially the
“club” of 38 developed democracies founded in 1961 to stimulate
economic progress and world trade.  It provides a wealth of high-quality
comparative analysis of economic and policy trends. 

We also sat down with the team from the “UK desk” going over their
biennial snapshot into the UK’s current situation [5]. Published before
Truss’s disastrous stint as PM it nevertheless had some messages for
those of us who are hoping to be in Government before too long; inadequate
public-sector investment,  too high levels of poverty due to low benefit
payments, and high levels of regional inequality. 

 

I was re-elected as co-chair of APPG ON AIRPORT COMMUNITIES – set up to
oppose Heathrow expansion.

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Seema Malhotra and I hosted HOUNSLOW COUNCIL’S CABINET members in
Parliament to brief them on our work and discuss ways we can work closely
together on behalf of the borough’s residents.

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With other MPs it was wonderful to celebrate VAISAKHI in the Speaker’s
House, and meet Sikh constituents who attended.

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ACCESS TO TRANSPORT FOR DISABLED PEOPLE is one of the Inquiries we are
running on the Transport Committee. To get a better understanding of the
issue, I spent a half day with Alan and Claire from Transport for All, who
showed me the challenges they face travelling round London by bus, tube and
train.  As a wheelchair user Alan feels Transport providers have made
progress in making life easier for wheelchair users, though there is still
more to do.  However, for autistic people such as Claire, most providers
don’t even have a tick-box for neuro-diverse passengers, let alone
understand and provide for their needs.  What I learned is that often,
solutions are not necessarily costly or complex. 

 

COMMUNITY UPDATE

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In the first of what I hope will be regular WALKING TOURS IN THE
CONSTITUENCY with ward Councillors and local residents, Cllr Karen Smith
showed me the extent of rubbish in and around the Duke of Northumberland
River in the Woodlands area. It is apparent that the Environment Agency
could do more about the situation in the river and on its banks, and
Hounslow Council could do more to clear up rubbish on the roads and paths.

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HOUNSLOW FOODBOX COMMUNITY GARDEN I joined volunteers and local councillors
at the Foodbox community garden. Along with Hounslow Mayor Cllr Raghwinder
Siddhu I planted an apple tree, which came from the council’s tree
scheme.

 

The veg plots will provide fresh local-grown fruit & veg for food parcels
this year.  As always if you can donate time, items or money to Hounslow
Foodbox it can make a huge difference for people locally [6].

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SRI LANKAN NEW YEAR: We celebrated Sinalha and Tamil New Year at a
wonderful event of sport and dance organised by the Janahanda Foundation.
After the tug-of-war we had Sri Lankan and Polish dances from the children.

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THE HANUMAN HINDU TEMPLE in Brentford had a visit from their spiritual
leader, H.H Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji  to celebrate his 80th
birthday.  It was a pleasure to meet him, and the many worshippers who had
come to hear his wisdom.

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I sponsor BRENTFORD FC manager Thomas Frank’s match-day kit (the funds go
to Brentford FC Community Sports Trust).  Along with other kit sponsors I
was able to watch a training session, to meet the legendary Peter Gilham
(club ambassador) and of course, star manager, Thomas.

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PARK ROAD ALLOTMENTS: The Planning Inspectorate have bowed to pressure from
me, Councillors and Hounslow’s planners and decided to hold the Park Road
allotments appeal as a full Public Inquiry [7], rather than by written
appeal.  This will ensure the Duke of Northumberland will have to publicly
defend his application to build housing on this valuable community and
environmental resource.  I was shocked the Inspectorate did not make the
decision in the first place as their criteria clearly require that an
appeal against refusal in a case of such complexity but also public
interest should be via full Public Inquiry.

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CHISWICK CALENDAR ART EXHIBITION is showing work by local artists at the
Clayton Hotel in Chiswick.  Catch it while you can.  Many of the pieces
are for sale.

WEST LONDON CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE held a briefing for local small businesses
on trading with India, where I spoke about the UK’s trade relationship
with India, and the potential UK/India Trade deal.

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I attended the unveiling of the W4TH PLINTH at Turnham Green Terrace with
Andy Slaughter MP, local Councillors and community organisations.

Chosen from hundreds of entries, the winner is Christina Scheks' 'Ceiling
in the Sky.' National treasure, actress Siân Phillips did the honours.

I also awarded Abundance London‘s annual prize for guerrilla gardening to
17 year-old Sam for his plots on Wellesley Road.  We also had uplifting
entertainment from Chiswick school students

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BOSTON MANOR RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION is of and for residents of a large area
straddling the Hounslow/Ealing boundary.  Cllr Guy Lambert and I attended
their AGM and heard what matters to the community (crime and policing,
phone masts and litter, as well as the works to Boston Manor park).

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In November 2021, 21 year-old student and basketball coach ALI AKUBAR ALI
was stabbed to death in Brentford and local grandmother Betty Walsh was
injured. This was a random attack by a man found to be not fit to plead.
The attack had a profound effect on the victims' families, friends and
neighbours (as well as on Betty herself, of course).  Nail Adam was
working in the police call centre that evening, and coincidently his
brother is friends with Ali’s older brother Hassan. As an aspiring
film-maker, Nail has made a film featuring Hassan called “Baby
Brother”.  I was honoured to be invited to the launch of the film at the
BFI – before it features in film festivals later this year.

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I was shocked to hear from residents that the FOOTBRIDGE OVER THE TRACKS
THAT LINKS THE STRAND ON THE GREEN AREA with the rest of West Chiswick is
to be closed for replacement with virtually no notice having been given,
and no consultation with residents or notification to Hounslow Council. 
This meant there was no chance to consider that this work could be best
done over the school holidays, and no chance to consider the design from
the perspective of personal safety and on accessibility. I have written to
Network Rail expressing my concern about their lack of communication and
seeking consultation on the design.

Finally, CRIME AND POLICING continue to be a concern for constituents. I
meet Ch Supt Sean Wilson monthly and am pleased that we now have a Borough
lead for Neighbourhood Policing, Supt Anil Puri.  Although the Government
has now released funding to increase police numbers back to the level they
were before “Austerity”, there is a recruitment challenge.  I have
again raised with Sean constituents’ concerns about the inadequate
response to victims of burglary and car theft, and of racial profiling with
Stop & Search.  Following concerns raised by residents in Osterley, I have
also written to Hounslow’s Cabinet Member for Safety regarding
anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and fly tipping. 

 

Because it is such a priority issue, I want to hear from residents locally
about your experience of crime locally, and what you want to see done
better to tackle crime and protect victims.

 

PLEASE DO FILL OUT MY SURVEY [8] & SHARE WITH ANY FRIENDS OR FAMILY IN THE
CONSTITUENCY.

 

 

With best wishes to all readers  – and do let me know what you think of
these updates!

CONTACT  ME

If you need my support or help please email me: [email protected], or
phone: 020 8581 3646 or Write: Ruth Cadbury MP House of Commons, London
SW1A 0AA. Let us have a quick summary of the issue,  and include your
address as I am only able to directly assist my constituents.  Please also
include relevant reference numbers.

I hold regular surgeries, usually on Fridays, which can be in person,
on-line or by phone; please contact my office to make an appointment.
However many issues can be dealt with more quickly by email or a phone call
which saves waiting for the next available surgery.

For my Diary and Parliamentary Office email [email protected] 020
219 8590

UNSUBSCRIBE [9]

Printed from an email sent by Ruth Cadbury MP 367 Chiswick High Road
London, LON W4 4AG
United Kingdom




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