Parliamentary Diary

Dear Friend,

70 years of the Refugee Convention

This week marks 70 years since the UK and many other countries signed the UN Refugee Convention - promising to offer protection to those fleeing persecution and to save lives. That promise is just as important today as it was 70 years ago as some of the world's most vulnerable - innocent families and children - are still fleeing for their lives and driven from their homes. Many leave their loved ones with little more than the clothes on their back and their hopes and dreams of a safe and secure future.

And despite that commitment, this Conservative Government continues to row back on our promises, erode the very values that make us who we are as a nation and turns its back on the desperate in their darkest hour. The Tories' hateful Nationality and Borders Bill last week was a further, shameful demonstration of that.

Reflecting on our commitment 70 years later - had the Borders Bill come 70 years earlier, what would it have meant for the Kindertransport that provided safe haven for Jewish children fleeing the horrors of Nazi Germany? It would have turned their back on them, just like this Bill will do now to children fleeing brutality in Tigray or Yemen.

I welcome the stranger, champion the values of an embracing nation which protects the most vulnerable and I stand with refugees.

Here's an update on what I've been up to in Parliament and Cardiff North over the last couple of weeks. Parliament may be in recess now, but I want to assure you that my team and I are still here for you if you need any assistance. Please do not hesitate get in touch with me on [email protected]. (mailto:[email protected])

With very best wishes,
Anna McMorrin MP
Member of Parliament for Cardiff North
Aelod Seneddol dros Ogledd Caerdydd
Cardiff North News

The Secret Shed Coffee Morning

A lovely change of scenery to have a coffee morning at The Secret Shed's Tea Garden in Rhiwbina. Lots of issues raised such as planning and the really troubling impact of Brexit on local businesses, but especially in the tourism and hospitality sectors. I'll continue to raise this in Parliament when we return.

Coray and Co Hairdressers
I recently met up with Mark Coray, the owner of the fantastic local hair salon Coray and Co. We talked about the problem of cars mounting the pavement to get into the car park alongside the salon, as well as some vehicles coming down the one way street the wrong way.
There have also been incidents of Mark’s sign being badly damaged by lorries coming down the wrong way. I have raised this with Cardiff Council and the cabinet member for transport to look at ways to resolve this and make sure pedestrian safety is paramount. I’ll update you with the response.

Wales at the Olympics
It's been fantastic to see Team GB off to its best ever start to an Olympic Games in Tokyo this week. There's been lots of historic moments for Wales too, including Cardiff North's own Hannah Mills who started out at Llanishen Sailing Centre and was the first Welsh female flag bearer at the Olympics opening ceremony. As well as two Welsh swimmers, Matt Richards and Calum Jarvis who won gold medals, the first for Welsh swimmers since 1912! We're all cheering our Welsh and Team GB athletes along from behind our TV screens and we couldn't be more proud.

Brightening up Whitchurch High St.
It was great to join Maggie and the team at Cardiff Breakfast Rotary Club on Whitchurch High Street last week and to get stuck in with planting some beautiful flowers for the Summer. Thank you to the Club for looking after the planters and brightening up Whitchurch for all to enjoy!

Flooded Residents Met with Velindre
On Monday, Julie and I facilitated a meeting between local residents who were impacted by flooding last year and Velindre. Julie and I have been working with flooded residents since the floods and this was their opportunity to put their concerns directly to Velindre to find out about the impact of the development on flooding and how they intended to mitigate future flooding. Velindre assured residents that they will go beyond their obligations and have committed to attending our regular stakeholder meetings with NRW, Transport for Wales and Cardiff Council as part of that.

Prior to this we facilitated a meeting with representatives of local community groups, residents of Whitworth Square and the Hollybush Estate with Velindre representatives and you can read our update here.
Update ([link removed])

Two Million Double Jabs in Wales!
Great to see that we've hit two million double jabs here in Wales this week. A fantastic achievement with our Welsh Labour Government at the helm. We owe a huge debt to the volunteers and NHS staff rolling out the vaccines and to everyone who have made such hard sacrifices to get here. England's Health Secretary Sajid Javid's recent comments about cowering from the virus were heartless and wrong. People have shown huge strength and resilience during this pandemic and as a nation, we'll keep going from strength to strength out of this pandemic.

After an amazing 4 years, my Office Manager Hannah has left to start her new life in North Wales. Good luck and we wish you all the best in this new chapter of yours! I'm delighted to welcome Marc Palmer, our new Office Manager in my Whitchurch office who I know will do a fantastic job!
Parliamentary News
The Tories' Heartless Borders Bill
[link removed]

Last week the Tories' hateful Nationality and Borders Bill came to Parliament. The Bill wasn't about improving legislation, it was a mechanism to stir up resentment, fear and division. Innocent families and children are fleeing for their lives, driven from their homes with little more than their clothes on their back and their hopes and dreams of a secure future.

But this Conservative Government is saying: "We don't care!".

The Bill seeks to criminalise refugees and the organisations that save their lives at sea. But refugees are not criminals and seeking a safe haven is not a crime. I opposed this extension of the Government’s hate-filled culture war.

To read my full statement on why I voted against the Bill, click the link below.
Read Full Statement ([link removed])
Govt is failing children in justice system
The Tories have overseen a dangerous deterioration of conditions in youth custody. Its recklessness towards the youth justice system is failing young people and risks public safety.

I am calling for an independent review of deteriorating conditions in youth custody facilities like Rainsbrook and on the Justice Secretary to get a grip of the crisis he has created.

Read my comments in the Independent.
Independent Article ([link removed])
Cancel the Cut to UC

I've been campaigning with colleagues and Unions to urge the UK Government to cancel the cut to Universal Credit planned in September. The £20 uplift is a lifeline for many in Cardiff North. The Government must urgently reconsider.

Slashing Aid Costs Lives

The Conservatives recently voted to cut international aid. Labour opposed his shameful attempt by the Conservative Government to turn its back on the world’s poorest during a pandemic, a climate emergency and intensifying conflict. However, I am bitterly disappointed that the motion passed, approving the Government’s decision to slash UK aid by £4bn.

The Government’s weaselling out of its commitments will mean lifelines slashed, lives lost, more children going hungry, less girls educated, vulnerable communities left unvaccinated and the UK less safe.

The UK Government’s promise to return to 0.7% is as hollow as it is false. The Chancellor’s economic criteria will lead to an indefinite cut as conditions to return to 0.7% may not be met for decades to come. And they know it. Labour fought to make good on Boris Johnson’s shameful retreat from the world stage, to create a more stable world and to save lives.
Labour's New Deal on Jobs
Britain should be the best place to work and Labour has a plan to achieve it.
Our new deal backs British businesses, creates quality jobs, protects family incomes and creates a fairer economy for all. Labour’s new deal will ensure every worker has the dignity and security from their job they deserve and will build a better and stronger country for all.
Find out more ([link removed])
Here for you this Summer
Parliament may have wound down for the Summer, but please remember that my office and I are here for you if you need us. If you have any issues you'd like to raise, please do not hesitate to email me on [email protected].
As always, please get in touch with your feedback!

Anna
MP for Cardiff North
AS dros Ogledd Caerdydd

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