Constituency Report (October 2017) Labour Party Conference As you all will know, this September we had a fantastic Labour Party Conference in Brighton. Throughout the Conference I met people buzzing with fresh ideas. The optimism and determination of our MPs and party activists contrasted so starkly with that of the government, and showed that we in the Labour Party are a government in waiting. At Labour Women’s Conference I had the honour of giving the keynote speech, which allowed me to pay tribute to those women who have paved the way Visiting the CWU Conference stand before me. I spoke about the importance of social care, how we have a Cinderella service, and how local councils and healthcare services need to work together to provide a proper safety net. It was a fantastic opportunity to speak to Labour women from all over the country, celebrate how far we’ve come in the last year, and instil a sense of determination for the campaign’s ahead. On the Monday of Labour Party Conference I gave a speech in the International Session, in my capacity as Shadow Foreign Secretary. I set out Labour’s vision for an ethical foreign policy, the need for a revolution of Supporting Northern Irish women values in our outlook towards the world, and the re- establishment of a world based on rules and laws. In an era characterised by the resurgence of isolationist, nationalist leaders, the Labour Party must be as internationalist as ever. Speaking at Party Conference Conference Engagements Saturday 23rd September Spoke at Labour Women’s Conference Spoke at South East and North West Regional Receptions Sunday 24th September Toured Conference Exhibition Stands Spoke at The Mirror-Unite Real Britain Fringe event Meeting with Clare Moody MEP Spoke at the Gibraltar Reception Spoke at Labour Friends of Bangladesh Reception Monday 25th September Spoke to International Session of Party Conference Attended Labour Sister Party Lunch and Q&A Appeared on Newsnight Regional media round Attended the International Policy Seminar Spoke at Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East Reception Spoke at Indian High Commissioner’s Labour Friends of India Reception Tuesday 26th September Spoke at Bloomberg Brexit Lunch Participated in Fabian Society Panel Spoke at Labour Friends of Israel Reception Attended The World Transformed Conference Performed a DJ set at Labour Students Disco Wednesday 27th September Spoke at Brexit Policy Seminar Spoke at the Heads of Diplomatic Missions Brunch North Korea On the 5th of September I responded to the Foreign Secretary’s statement on North Korean missile tests. I noted that in the absence of international leadership from the White House, which in this case seemed intent on matching Kim Jong-un’s rhetoric. I asked whether this government intended to ally itself with Chancellor Merkel, who told the German parliament that there can only be a “peaceful and diplomatic solution”, or President Trump, who claimed “talking is not the answer”. I stressed that in this instance any military options should be taken off the table before serious discussions are begun. Speaking at Labour Women’s Conference Standing up for my constituent Shao Jiang Hurricane Irma On the 12th of September I quizzed the government on their response to the devastating Hurricane Irma, which ravaged much of the Caribbean and acutely affected British Overseas Territories. I asked Foreign Office Minister Alan Duncan why the British government has been so slow to fully evacuate British citizens from the Caribbean, in comparison to the French and Dutch governments’ evacuations of their citizens. I also challenged the government on their long term plans to support overseas territories and British citizens abroad, in light of the fact that man made climate change is making these natural disasters increasingly Meeting the mother and sister of Nick Dunn, the frequent and will continue to do so. Chennai 6 prisoner, with Ian Lavery MP, 11th October Iran Nuclear Deal On Monday the 16th of October I asked the government to make a statement on the future of the Iran nuclear deal, in light of President Trump refusing to formally certify the deal. This deal has been successful, and I argued that it is time for this government to stand up to the President, rather than hold his hand and follow his lead. When I initially voiced my fears over the Present’s attitude towards the nuclear deal I was judged “too pessimistic” by the Foreign Secretary. It is now clear that I was right, and whatever influence this government purports to have over the American administration is in Speaking at Labour Friends of India reception reality non-existent. at Labour Party Conference Visit to Scotland On the 14th and 15th of September I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Scotland and meet with many Labour friends, including new MPs elected in June, and the two Scottish leadership candidates. I had the privilege of opening the constituency office of Danielle Rowley MP, the new MP for Midlothian and my Parliamentary Private Secretary. I also took the opportunity to talk to students and party activists with Shadow Scotland Secretary Lesley Laird MP, and meeting passionate community members at Fife Migrant Forum. Visiting Fife Migrants Forum with Lesley Laird MP, 14th September While in Glasgow, I met Scottish Leadership candidates Anas Sarwar and Richard Leonard to discuss how UK and Scottish Labour can work together to regain power across the country. I then went to Rutherglen to campaign for Labour Council by-election candidate Martin Lennon, and hold a street stall in the West End of Glasgow, before finally taking part in a lively debate at Glasgow University Union alongside our new MP for Glasgow North East, Paul Sweeney. I really enjoyed my time in Scotland. It is quite clear to me that Labour has turned a corner and is winning back the support of the public. Opening Danielle Rowley MPs new constituency office, 14th September Interview with Kingdom FM in Fife, 14th September Key issues for constituents Over the past month my constituents have written to me to express their views on a number of policy issues. Listed below are some of the most frequently mentioned: Energy price cap Public ownership of the NHS Assaults on emergency workers Uber licensing Foreign affairs and work in parliament 7th September – Afghan Ambassador to the US, Media appearances have included... President Ashraf Ghani’s Advisors and local th governors 14 September - Kingdom FM Interview 19th September – Interview with Owen Jones (The 12th September – Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Brexit, Stephen Donnelly TD Guardian) 20th September – Women’s Hour (BBC Radio 4) 12th September – Heads of British Overseas Territories Turks and Caicos, BVA 21st September – Profile with The Mirror 18th September - Nicole Katsioulis & Christos 3rd October – Article on 65th Anniversary of first Katsioulis, new Directors of Friedrich Ebert British atomic bomb test (The Guardian) Foundation London (w/ Keir S) 8th October – Sky on Sunday 20th September – BBC Persian briefing 8th October – Sunday Politics (BBC 2) th 5 October – US Special Envoy to Ukraine Kurt 9th October—After the News (ITV) Volker 13th October—Strong and Stable Podcast 5th October – Spanish Ambassador HE Carlos Bastarreche 15th October – Pienaar’s Politics (BBC Radio 5 Live) 5th October – Catalan Delegate to the UK Sergi Marcén 10th October - Jorge Arreaza, Venezuelan Foreign Minister & Her Excellency Ms Rocio del Valle Maneiro González, Venezuelan Ambassador 11th October – Lisa Dunn, sister of Nick Dunn of the Chennai 6 12th October — Oxford University Union Debate—I argued the motion “This House Has No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government”, and won 12th October – Mr Sivanka Dhanapala, UNHCR representative to Iran 16th October – Emile Hokayem, Senior Fellow for Middle East Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Debating at Oxford University Union, 12th 17th October—Foreign Office Questions October House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA [email protected] 020 7697 9307 (2-5pm on Mon, Tues, Thurs) .