Weekly Roundup 16/11 – 20/11
Famagusta Debate
On Monday 16 November, I attended a debate in the House of Commons on the issue of Famagusta, Cyprus, where it was proposed that pressure be put on Turkey to return the section currently sealed off, to its lawful inhabitants. I spoke during the debate and pointed out that as long as Turkey continues to occupy Cyprus we cannot allow Turkey to accede to the EU.
You can read the debate here
Afternoon Tea with Constituents
On Tuesday afternoon, I met two constituents who had won Tea for Two at the House of Commons in the East Finchley Festival Raffle. Firstly, they attended a debate in the House of Lords and I took them to tea in the Pugin Room.
HIV Innovation Fund Launch Event
I hosted the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV & AIDS launch event of a Government-backed scheme, to provide free HIV home-testing kits nationally to address the HIV/Aids epidemic. This was held in advance of both National HIV testing week in the UK (23/11-27/11) and World Aids Day on the 1 December. I said at the launch, “We must innovate to ensure that prevention initiatives are effective and HIV prevention messages reach those most at risk.”
Sixth Form Conference
On Wednesday I hosted 26 students from sixth forms in my constituency. Before the conference began, students were invited to attend a debate on further education in the Commons Chamber. During the conference students discussed what they felt was the appropriate response to the threat from ISIS. Once the discussion came to a close, I held an Question and Answer session, taking various questions from the group.
DECC question
On Thursday I raised the issue of the cost of subsidising the green sector with the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Rt Hon Amber Rudd MP. I want this Government to remain committed to ambitious targets, but it is not right that green subsidies should inflate energy bills. You can read the full story here.
Woodhouse College
I also visited Woodhouse College on Thursday and spoke to the Politics group.
Surgeries
Last week I held two surgeries in the local constituency, one at Waitrose, Temple Fortune, and the other at the Allotment Hut.
Clovelly House Care Home
I met with the owner of Clovelly House Residential Home, Frances Thorn, as part of my regular catch-ups with care homes across the constituency.