This week, Labour unveiled its plan to defend Britain in a more dangerous world.
In the coming years, we face Putin and an active alliance of aggression - from autocrats who have contempt for international law and freely squander the lives of their own people. Labour knows that current defence arrangements simply aren’t strong enough to deal with the increasingly threatening world.
Over the last 14 years, the Conservatives have hollowed out our Armed Forces, creating a recruitment crisis and shrinking the Army to its smallest size since Napoleon.
The next Labour government will create a stronger defence centre capable of leading Britain’s new government in meeting the increasing threats we must face. We will:
Build a full-functioning Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) within the Ministry of Defence (MOD) capable of strategic direction and decisions, to better align military authority and accountability
Create a fully-fledged National Armaments Director to provide strategic leadership in defence procurement, to secure better value for public money, cut waste and drive a new defence industrial strategy to make the Forces fit to fight in the future
Make sure the Ministry of Defence civil service have a stronger voice across government, in diplomacy, with industry and into civil society
BBC Politics Midlands
Last Sunday, I appeared on BBC Politics Midlands alongside Conservative MP for Stafford Theo Clarke.
We spoke about a range of topics, including Birmingham City Council’s finances, birth trauma, and MPs safety. Follow the link below to watch the full episode.
Home Office Oral Questions
Transnational repression to silence dissent in democracies is extremely serious. Hence, reports of several British Sikhs appearing on a hit list are disturbing. We must send a message that there is no place in Britain for intimidation or threats towards Sikhs or any community.
In Parliament, I asked the Government how successful its efforts have been in tackling transnational repression. The government responded saying that it is continually assessing potential threats to individual rights, freedoms and safety across the UK, and will use every measure at their disposal to mitigate any threats to individuals. I would urge anyone concerned with their safety to go to the police.
Tackling Obesity Debate
In Parliament, I spoke in a debate about tackling obesity.
With the Conservatives in charge, Britain is getting fatter. 60% of us are now overweight and 1 in 4 children in England are now obese by the time they leave primary school. This puts more pressure on our NHS, which is already bucking after years of mismanagement by this Government.
Labour believes every community in the UK should be a healthy place for children to grow up, learn and play. As part of our Child Health Action Plan, we will restrict adverts of foods high in fat, sugar and salt, in favour of healthier options, improve children’s diets by finally advertising on television and ban paid-for advertising of less healthy foods on online media.
Read more about our Child Action Plan by following the link below.
HIV
This week, I spoke at an event about ending inequalities for people living with HIV, hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS Outcomes UK.
In the UK, there are over 4,000 people living with undiagnosed HIV. We must find every one of those people and get them the care they need. The next Labour government will get straight to work on a refreshed HIV Action Plan to end new transmissions for good.
Cardiac Risk in the Young
It was a privilege to meet Hilary Nicholls, who tragically lost her daughter at just 20 years old to a sudden and unexpected cardiac arrest.
I’m glad to have had the opportunity to speak about the important action needed to tackle cardiac risk in the young.
Pharmacy
It was great to visit GR Pharmacy in the constituency and meet the hardworking team.
Pharmacists are highly trained medicine experts and are easily accessible across the country. Labour will make more NHS services available in the community, so everyone has access to healthcare when they need it.
Centre for Mental Health
It was a pleasure to join the Centre for Mental Health and CYP Coalition for their manifesto launch in Parliament.
Our mental health services are in crisis. That’s why Labour will recruit thousands more mental health staff and introduce specialist mental health support for children and young people in every school.
Local News
Library Closures
After it was announced that the council was considering closing libraries as part of a package of cuts, I have been campaigning to keep our libraries in Harborne, Quinton, and Bartley Green open. As a mum, I used to use our constituency’s libraries regularly with my children – they're wonderful places where our communities can gather and learn.
MHRC
Next Tuesday, 5th March, the MHRC will be visiting Woodgate Valley Park B32 3DS, in Bartley Green. The centre is open from 7am to 12.30pm so please do come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of!
Campaigning
It was great to join Labour members campaigning in the constituency last week. If you would like to support me campaigning and join me doorknocking, please contact: officeofpreetgill@gmail.com.
Best wishes,
Preet Kaur Gill MP
Birmingham Edgbaston covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne and Quinton
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