Friday marked the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, when the Allied Forces triumphed over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
It offered the nation the opportunity to reflect and show our respects to the Second World War generation who made so many sacrifices, some making the ultimate sacrifice, to make sure we can live in a free and peaceful world.
The current worldwide Covid-19 crisis has drawn stark comparisons to wartime, but this time it's against an invisible enemy and it's heroic NHS and care workers, bus drivers, emergency services and other key workers putting their lives at risk to keep the rest of us safe.
Many of us had planned to attend events organised to mark the day which unfortunately had to be cancelled, but I hope everyone was able to mark VE Day in your own way. The Royal British Legion organised an incredibly touching and inspiring livestream on the VE Day anniversary featuring stories and memories from the Second World War generation, and a great educational pack for young people to learn more about the sacrifices they made. The BBC's People's Celebration show was a fitting tribute to that generation.
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In Westminster, we’ve had to adopt a new hybrid model to allow us to get back to business, with virtual debates and questions taking place in the House of Commons, as well as committee meetings. Since social distancing began I've been in countless virtual meetings covering all manner of issues including speaking in Parliament and holding constituency surgeries over Zoom or by phone.
In these unprecedented times these changes have ensured meaningful debate can take place and the Government can continue to be held to account, while MPs are still able to abide by lockdown rules and social distancing.
It's definitely different - Prime Minister's Questions without hundreds of jeering MPs is still taking some getting used to - but this is the new normal now and we must get used to it until the Government's restrictions are relaxed.
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Last month this extremely important piece of legislation finally came back before the House of Commons to be debated again by MPs, and I was honoured to take part in another extremely constructive debate.
I’ve heard devastating and frankly terrifying examples from local people who have been victims of financial and domestic abuse, and on their behalf and for those who never escape I contributed to the Domestic Abuse Bill.
Domestic abuse is an unseen crime, taking place behind closed doors hidden away from society. Since social distancing confined us all to our homes, calls to domestic abuse charities have surged as victims have nowhere to go to get away from abusive partners.
I welcome the addition of economic abuse to the statutory definition of domestic abuse; it’s another way partners try to exert control and power over their victims, and I’ve heard the impact this has first-hand in constituency surgeries.
Once this piece of legislation comes into law it will be a huge step in protecting the victims of abuse, but we need to ensure it is as effective and wide-ranging as possible - including offering couples separate Universal Credit payments as a default, exempting domestic abuse survivors from legal aid means tests, and a duty of care for banks and financial institutions to support and protect victims of domestic abuse.
Family courts also need to be reformed so domestic abusers cannot cross-examine their victims in civil cases, and in criminal courts the "rough sex" defence can’t be used to reduce a murder charge as no woman would consent to being killed.
I look forward to the next time this Bill comes before Parliament.
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