The Nat West Bank has been making news for the wrong reasons especially given it’s almost 40% owned by the British taxpayer, having been bailed out by the government in 2008. It also owns the posh bank Coutt’s who are reputed to only accept customers with at least £1million. It’s emerged that not only doContinue reading Bank on PM not to care
I was deeply disappointed at the news that the reopening of the Camp Hill Line has been delayed. This route should shorten journey times into the city centre for many of my constituents. The delay is another example of Andy Street’s failure to improve the West Midlands’ transport network. Andy Street is more focused onContinue reading My Statement on the Camp Hill Line
Last week, I led a parliamentary debate on ending animal testing for new drugs and medicines. It’s a controversial subject with renewed interest since news that, after a 25-year ban, the government has agreed to resume some tests for cosmetic ingredients. I’ll confess that, despite knowing how strongly people feel about animal testing, I’ve beenContinue reading Animal Testing Must End
It’s become fashionable to claim our politics is broken and, given the recent behaviour of a few leaders, it’s easy to understand why, but are some of the loudest critics also breaking our politics? I’m talking about the intolerant activists, those who never stand for election to anything but assume they’re always right and knowContinue reading Critics Must Allow Debate
The UK Government has been evacuating British nationals out of Sudan due to the ongoing conflict there. I thank the Foreign Secretary for the work he has done so far but I am worried about those who are being left behind. The husband of one of my constituents is currently stranded in Sudan while heContinue reading Urgent Sudan Statement
I recently asked the Prime Minister about the risk of six hundred community pharmacies closing because of a contract that’s driving them to bankruptcy. It was signed before the cost-of-living crisis and prior to problems we’re now experiencing with medical supplies. You might think a doctor writes a prescription, the pharmacist provides the content andContinue reading Pharmacies Need Saving
This year, Easter, Ramadan and Passover all overlap. It happens about three times every century and many of us won’t see it again. It’s interesting to think about what our religions have in common. Passover celebrates the deliverance from slavery and fresh hope for the Israelites, Ramadan preaches spiritual regeneration and the overcoming of earthlyContinue reading Commonality in a Divided World
I’ve been in Israel for a few days, leading a delegation, to discover more about the political and security situation there and learning about peace initiatives. We’ve been looking at some exciting ideas to help people with disabilities and learning difficulties, management of ambulance services and the bringing together of young Israelis and Palestinians inContinue reading United We Can Achieve Peace
First, Boris Johnson was driven from office because even his own MPs could no longer tolerate his lies. Then we suffered the Liz Truss disaster, resulting in chaos in the markets, threats to pensions, increases in mortgages and rents, and the highest tax burden in 70 years. It’s easy to see how Tory MPs mustContinue reading Falling Apart
I liked the tone of the first Christmas message from King Charles. His emphasis on service and consideration for others, values too many in public life ignore these days, appealed to me. He credited his mother, our late Queen, for encouraging his beliefs. As he talked of light from darkness, a concept common to mostContinue reading Happy New Year
