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Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons

10/12/2014

Between the 6th and 9th of December I attended the Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons. I was invited by ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) and on the Sunday I spoke at their event.

It was a fascinating few days and upon my return I have tabled questions and asked for a debate at Business Statement.

I see this as the first breakthrough in a long time. The initiative was taken by Norway, Mexico and Austria, this being the third such conference. 157 countries attended, including for the first time the UK and US.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent are partners and have declared that no international humanitarian response is feasible in the event of a nuclear weapons explosion and therefore all nuclear weapons should be banned. There is growing momentum for a ban and with so many countries on board there must be some hope. Unlike the Non Proliferation Treaty, the nuclear weapons states would have no veto over a new treaty.

Success on 0.7% Aid Commitment

5/12/2014

On Friday 5th December I was in Parliament to support a bill to enshrine in law the UK’s promise to donate 0.7% of our Gross National Income to international aid, in line with aspirations first put forward over 40 years ago.

Labour is proud of its record on international development. The last Labour government tripled the aid budget and dropped the debt, helping to lift three million people out of poverty each year and getting 40 million more children into school.

The Conservative manifesto committed to putting the 0.7% measure into law and this pledge also formed part of the Coalition Agreement. However, the Government has failed to bring forward a law. In November 2014 the Foreign Secretary (Phillip Hammond) said he did not see the need to write the commitment into legislation. Liberal Democrat MP Michael Moore has therefore taken the opportunity to introduce it as a Private Member’s Bill.

Critics tabled a host of lengthy amendments on Friday which were intended to ensure that the Commons ran out of time to debate and vote on the bill. However, MPs voted 146 (including 75 Labour – more than the Tories and Lib Dems put together) to 6 to allow the bill to proceed and the legislation later passed. The bill is now in the House of Lords.

Thames Tunnel - Meeting with CEO

1/12/2014

At the end of November I met with the CEO of the Thames Tideway Tunnel Project, Andy Mitchell. As some of you will know, we were unsuccessful in challenging Thames Water's decision to use the site in Deptford by St Paul's Church as part of its works.

At the outset of the meeting I emphasised our outrage that our arguments had not changed Thames Water's decision. When questioned about how many of our arguments they had accepted, Mr Mitchell acknowledged that we had extremely valid concerns which he and his team hope to address.

I pressed Mr Mitchell on how much contact they had had with parents and potential parents of pupils at St Joseph's RC Primary School on Crossfield Street, as well as on what could be done for local residents - particularly for those on Crossfields estate. He gave assurances that they will work with St Paul's Church, the school and the community to minimise disruption and the impact of the works. His team had met with the head of the school and gave commitments that they would address the concerns of parents directly (as well as residents). Mr Mitchell was confident of the company's ability to work with and within the community, but of course the 'proof is in the pudding'.

The contractors will be appointed around the end of March and I will maintain an active interest, despite the fact that I am standing down at the May 7th general election.

Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons

Success on 0.7% Aid Commitment

Thames Tunnel - Meeting with CEO

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