Dear Friend,
Happy Valentine's Day! I've spent the morning with hundreds of others showing just how much we love the planet and how much climate justice means to us, at Cardiff's Climate Strike. With a Tory government with a majority of eighty in power, it's important now more than ever that we keep fighting until this Government takes the Climate Emergency seriously.
Boris Johnson maintains the UK is a climate leader. However the sacking of Claire O'Neill, as President for the UN Climate Summit COP26 in the UK this year, demonstrates the opposite. We cannot afford to take our foot off the gas. Alok Sharma MP's shock appointment as President of COP26 yesterday has me very worried for the green agenda considering his poor voting record on the environment.
Even without the cabinet reshuffle, it's been an eventful couple of weeks in Parliament. I presented my Private Member's Bill, the Green Share Bill, to the House of Commons. We fought back when the Government caused uproar in its attempts to deport the 'Jamaica 50', risking a further Windrush Scandal before the report on the first was even published. I was elected onto the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Welsh Affairs Select Committees. Finally, the UK Government announced HS2 was getting the green light with no benefit or funding coming to Wales.
Here's a snapshot of what I've been doing in Parliament and locally over the last couple of weeks. Don't forget, I'm holding an event tomorrow for you to have your say on what priorities you'd like me to take forward and I'll also be holding advice surgeries across the constituency if you want to chat. You can find more details of both below.
As ever, if you would like to get in touch with me please contact [email protected].
With very best wishes,
|
|
|
Firstly, I want to thank those who reached out with their policy ideas for me to take forward as my Private Member's Bill. There were some fantastic ideas, some of which I will endeavour to raise throughout this next Parliamentary term.
I have decided to take forward the Green Share Bill which aims to make a real difference to the green agenda and to the climate emergency. My Green Share Bill seeks to unlock and boost green investment for co-operatives and member owned businesses to invest and develop sustainable projects in communities in which they are rooted. Projects such as retro-fitting of social homes, the building of zero-carbon homes and the expansion of renewable energy projects would create green jobs and skills, more energy efficient homes, cheaper energy and much more – benefitting communities and tackling climate change.
We're facing a climate emergency. It is imperative we find innovative solutions to the environmental challenges we face and my Bill seeks to do just that. It's Second Reading will be on the 27th March and i'll keep you updated on it's progress.
You can read more about the Bill here and here.
|
|
|
Windrush Scandal & the Jamaica 50
|
|
This week, the UK Government planned to deport 50 people to Jamaica, many of whom had not been there since they were small children. Along with 170 other MPs, I wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to halt the deportation or risk another Windrush Scandal.
Despite the Courts intervening, some detainees were still deported in the early hours of Tuesday morning and the UK Government was clear it made no apologies for carrying it out.
|
|
|
Coronavirus
Cardiff North Constituent Returns!
|
|
I am very pleased that my constituent, Dr Yvonne Griffiths who was rescued from Wuhan during the Coronavirus outbreak following my urgent calls, and has spent the last two weeks in quarantine, is set to return home to her family.
Yvonne and many other British nationals have been quarantined in Arrow Park Hospital in the Wirral for two weeks as a measure to contain the virus. Fortunately, they did not contract the virus and are able to return back home to their loved ones.
I have kept in close contact with Yvonne during her time in quarantine and I know this will be very welcome news for her family.
|
|
|
Love Your Planet Climate Strike
|
|
It was great to see our young people out in full force this morning at Cardiff's Climate Strike.
A year on from the first youth climate strike and we're seeing the hottest temperature ever recorded in Antarctica. Time is running out. It's vital now more than ever that we keep up the pressure and keep demanding urgent, radical action at all levels, for the sake of our future generations.
|
|
|
Elected to BEIS Select Committee
|
|
|
I am delighted to have been elected onto the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee.
I'm looking forward to working with colleagues and our fantastic Chair, Rachel Reeves MP in holding the government and businesses to account on tackling climate change and protecting jobs and investment, particularly as we leave the EU.
|
|
|
End Our Pain Campaign:
Step Up & Stop the Suffering
|
|
|
I was pleased to continue supporting End Our Pain, a campaign to access medicinal cannabis prescriptions since it was legalised last year.
I signed a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to commit to medical cannabis prescriptions for families like Rachel Rankmore’s in Cardiff, who are crying out for help and can no longer afford thousands of pounds a month for private medication for their children.
Rachel told me the medication funds for her son Bailey are due to run out in April. I'll continue to call on the UK Government to step up and stop the unecessary suffering.
|
|
I'm delighted to have been nominated and shortlisted for the Green Heart Hero Awards.
I've been nominated for the category of MP Climate Advocacy Champion for the work of helping to create a cleaner, greener future both in Parliament and outside.
The ceremony will take place on 9th March.
|
|
|
|
Labour Campaign for Trans Rights
|
|
|
This month marks LBGT History Month. A time to celebrate how far we’ve come & most importantly to reflect on the battles ahead to fight for true fairness & equality.
I am supportive of the recently launched Labour Campaign for Trans Rights and have signed up to the campaign pledges. The Labour party is the party of socialism, equality and the championing of human rights. We must therefore do all we can in the fight for transgender liberation and stand firmly to advance the rights of the trans community.
You can read more about the founding statement and pledges here:
|
|
|
The Future for Cardiff North
Survey Results & Discussion
|
|
Thank you to everyone who took part in the survey and shared your views on the priorities you'd like me to take forward as your MP. In one week we've had over 270 responses!
What's clear from the responses received is that climate change, linked to public transport and infrastructure was a key priority, closely followed by Health and Social Care. Many hoped for the political space to tackle the burning issues eclipsed by Brexit on both national and local scales.
I'd encourage you to come along tomorrow to discuss the results further with me:
- Saturday 15th Feb 10.30-12pm
- Ararat Baptist Church, Whitchurch, CF14 1PT
|
|
|
Llandaff North Community Centre Saved!
|
|
Last week, I was very pleased to see that Llandaff North Community Centre was saved from the threat of closure due to the hard work of local Councillors Jen Burke-Davies, Dilwar Ali and all the volunteers who put themselves forward.
It was fantastic to see the scale of support and volunteers pulling together to keep a hub in the heart of the Llandaff North Community. Volunteers have accepted the offer to take over the Community Centre independently and are appealing to the public and local groups for further volunteers and assistance.
|
|
Mynachdy Community Centre Launch
The centre is holding its official launch event this Sunday between 10am-9pm. Volunteers have worked incredibly hard to get the centre back up and running for the benefit of the community. Please pop along and show your support.
|
|
|
|
Uniform'd is a scheme in Cardiff North that collects and redistributes school uniform for those who need it, for free! You can check out their range of stock on Friday 21st February between 10 and 3pm at Llandaff North & Gabalfa Hub.
|
|
|
C37 Cakery Opening Day
A new cakery and tea room will be opening its doors for the first time on Saturday 22nd Feb. The cakery is based on Merthyr Rd, Whitchurch. You can expect lots of special offers and can place your celebration cake orders!
|
|
|
|
As always, please get in touch with your feedback!
Anna
MP for Cardiff North
AS dros Ogledd Caerdydd
|
|
|
|
|
