John,

Here are some highlights of my work from the first few weeks back after Easter recess:

I criticised the Government’s atrocious record on clearing up pollution in our rivers and seas. The Tories have been in power for 13 years – yet not one English river is in healthy condition, not one meets good chemical standards, and just a few meet good ecological standards. Privatisation of water companies like Southern Water has completely failed – that’s why the Green Party is calling for the water industry to be brought back in public hands, so investment goes where it’s needed. You can watch me question Environment Secretary Therese Coffey in the House of Commons, and you can read my letter to Southern Water here condemning sewage dumping on Brighton beach. 

I criticised the new Renters Reform Bill as a missed opportunity. I’m glad that no-fault evictions have finally been banned – a whole four years after originally promised. But the Bill still includes a massive loophole to help landlords avoid the eviction ban, there are no proper rent controls let alone an immediate rent freeze, and no significant measures to tackle cold and damp in homes. Renters in Brighton have endured dire living conditions, suffered sky-high rents, and faced eviction without notice. They deserve justice, and this Bill doesn’t provide it. You can read my full comments in the Argus.

It was an honour to give the keynote speech at the Royal College of Nursing’s annual Congress in Brighton. In my speech I set out a Green approach to healthcare, celebrated nurses' powerful social activism, and highlighted the importance of nurses' voices. Our health service is chronically understaffed and its workers are underpaid and undervalued – nurses see and feel the real-time impacts of an NHS facing huge pressure every single day. The RCN is taking a stand to protect it and make sure it has a sustainable, long-term future. I’m proud to stand with them. You can read more of my speech in the Argus.

It was great to catch up with Phil Jones from Wired Sussex, and Paul Nightingale from the University of Sussex, to celebrate ‘The Fuse At Ten’. The event in Parliament marked 10 years since the publication of their highly influential report, which provided groundbreaking research on the relationship between the creative industries and digital technology and clustering inspired by Brighton Fuse. Here’s to the next 10!

During Prime Minister's Questions, I urged Rishi Sunak to stop the Rosebank oil field from being developed. If given the green light by Ministers, Rosebank oil field would produce more emissions than 28 low-income countries combined. Energy security and cheaper bills don't come from allowing highly-subsidised, foreign-owned fossil fuel giants like Equinor to extract yet more oil and gas. They come from abundant and affordable renewables, insulating the nation, and creating thousands of stable, skilled green jobs. In his answer, Sunak refused to rule out the climate-wrecking project. You can watch my question here, and listen to my interview on BBC Radio 4's The World at One.

I led a debate in the House of Commons on improving public access to nature, urging the Government to extend the Right to Roam. Half of England is owned by just 1% of the population, and 24 Dukes own over a million acres of land – the rest of us are all too often shut out of it. Our connection with nature isn't just vital for our mental and physical health – but to help us address the biodiversity crisis, with 1 million species at risk of extinction. We must enable the public to be guardians of nature, not its destroyers. You can watch extracts of my speech here and here, and you can read my article in Metro. I was also honoured to be joined by Marion Shoard, who has done more than perhaps anyone to push the issue onto the agenda over 30 years ago.

I condemned the Government’s crackdown on peaceful protest as part of the new Public Order Act. Ministers say that no-one's seeking to undermine our right to peaceful protest – yet, as proven by the events surrounding the Coronation earlier this month, that's exactly what the Government has done. Just because some people managed to protest doesn't change fact that many, causing no obstruction at all, were not. This Orwellian legislation should be scrapped in its entirety – and Labour, should they form the next Government, must commit to doing so. You can watch my question in the House of Commons.

As one of the officers of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus, I attended a deeply worrying hearing with experts on Long Covid. With 2 million people suffering, some so badly that they can no longer work, Ministers must take it far more seriously, and fund more research, promote prevention eg via more ventilation in public spaces, and better public health messaging.

I voted against Suella Braverman’s Refugee Ban Bill – which is immoral, cruel and divisive, breaks international law, runs roughshod over human rights, and deliberately and dangerously stirs up hatred. I’m urging the Government to put in place safe and legal routes, so asylum seekers from war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Sudan won’t risk their lives crossing the Channel. I spoke about the Bill on BBC Radio 4 Westminster Hour, and on BBC Politics Live, where I challenged Tory MP Jonathan Gullis on the Government’s supposed record of compassion.

I wrote a letter to the Foreign Office Minister, expressing my deepest concerns about the recent attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque and the escalation of violence in the occupied Palestinian territory. Human rights in occupied Palestine are under ever increasing attack, and too many Palestinian and Israeli lives have been lost – the UK Government must actively renew its push for a just and lasting peace in the region. You can read my full letter here.

If you are a local resident and need help with case work or to find out more about my activities locally please do contact me at the office of: Caroline Lucas MP, Brighton Media Centre 15-17 Middle Street, Brighton BN1 1AL. Tel: 01273 201 130. Email: [email protected]

I hold regular surgeries across the constituency. If you would like to book an appointment at a forthcoming surgery please call Liz Collis on 01273 201130. She coordinates my constituency office and is able to help with most local enquiries.

If you would like to know about my parliamentary work please get in touch at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 7025. Email: [email protected]

You can also keep up to date with my news on:

Twitter: @carolinelucas

Facebook: /carolinelucas.page

My Website: www.carolinelucas.com

You're receiving this email because you have signed up to receive updates from Caroline Lucas MP. If you think somebody else would benefit from these emails they can sign up here.