Yet again, Brexit is dominating events in Westminster much as it is dominating the headlines, and on Thursday evening, the Tory government suffered yet another massive defeat over its Brexit strategy. The whole process is becoming more shambolic as each day passes, and it seems as if Prime Minister is simply running down the clock to force Parliament to choose between her botched Brexit deal or a disastrous No Deal Brexit. I’ll keep working with Labour colleagues to stop Theresa May’s reckless Brexit gamble – and avoid the terrible damage it would do to communities here in Swansea East.
On Monday, I responded to an Urgent Question in the House of Commons on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Many of you will have seen the appalling behaviour last week of Tory MP, Sir Christopher Chope. He needlessly blocked a Bill which had been brought forward to stamp out this vile practice in the UK once and for all. I was pleased to be able to call out Chope for this despicable behaviour, and to underline Labour’s belief that the government should have brought forward legislation on this issue long before now. However, I really am optimistic that we will now see this vital change to the law enacted quickly. As for Christopher Chope, I think we really need to start considering why he was ever given a knighthood – and why the Tories keep allowing him to wreck vital protections like this.
This week, I’ve also had numerous meetings with charities and other organisations to discuss the Domestic Abuse Bill. It’s been great to speak with Hestia, Women’s Aid, Respect and many others and I look forward to taking the information and experiences we shared forwards into my work on this vital Bill. As many of you will know, this issue is something which is very close to my heart and it’s something I am going to be focussing intently on to help to ensure that the government gets this right.
I’ve also had some very productive – and exciting – discussions about setting up a new All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty. Though still a work in progress, I hope that this group will be able to look into the importance of the beauty industry in the UK and all the people that work in it as well as some key issues of concern like how the industry and treatments are regulated around country. From issues surrounding fillers, the scandalous tax on sanitary products, to the issues affecting women going through the menopause, there’s certainly countless issues that this new group can seek to address. Of course, I’ll keep constituents up-to-date as my work on this progresses!
Later today I’ll be on BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions programme which is being recorded in Llithfaen this week. You can listen live from 8pm, or listen again here.
If you’d like to get in touch with me to raise any issues or concerns, please do get in touch by emailing carolyn.harris.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my constituency office on 01792 462054.
