Diplomacy and Difficult Decisions
The Middle East*
Like so many people, I am profoundly worried by the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel, Iran and now the United States. The US strikes over the weekend mark a dangerous intensification that risks plunging the region into a wider and even bloodier war. Now more than ever, cool heads must prevail. The Lib Dems believe that the UK must press for a return to diplomacy, and work with international partners to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions through negotiation, not force.
In 2003 Liberal Democrats led the campaign against the Iraq war. That is why last Wednesday at Deputy Prime Minister’s Questions, Daisy Cooper asked Angela Rayner whether this Labour government will repeat the mistakes made over Iraq. You can watch the clip here.
The Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office is advising against all travel to Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Iran. The Foreign Secretary has said that evacuation flights from Tel Aviv will be chartered once Israeli airspace re-opens. For Mid Sussex residents who are currently in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories please register with the Foreign Office by following these instructions.
For any residents in Iran, here is a link to the Foreign Office’s current advice.
If you are facing any problems, please email me on alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk.
*I am writing on Sunday morning. I realise that events may have moved on by the time you receive this email.
Child Sexual Exploitation: Baroness Casey’s Report
This week, the Government accepted the 12 recommendations from Baroness Casey’s rapid review into grooming gangs – including a new national inquiry and national criminal investigation.
Child sexual abuse is one of the most despicable crimes imaginable, and I welcome anything that will deliver justice for survivors and help prevent such horrific abuse from ever happening again. These recommendations are far-reaching and vital, and now it is crucial the Government implements them with the urgency they deserve. Survivors must be at the heart of this new inquiry, their voices, experiences and needs must shape the process from beginning to end. We cannot ask them to relive their trauma time and again, nor allow the promises made today to become tomorrow’s forgotten headlines. The Lib Dems will keep pushing for all of the Casey and Jay recommendations to be delivered in full – and for the long-overdue introduction of a Hillsborough Law, to ensure a duty of candour from public authorities.
Baroness Casey has now been tasked with chairing an independent commission into adult social care. Casey has not pulled her punches in her report on child sexual exploitation. I very much hope that she will approach the adult social care review with the same rigour and urgency.
Talking about social care on GB News
Earlier in the week I was interviewed by GB News about the government delaying cross party talks on social care. As I said in that interview, if we want an NHS that works well, we need a social care system that also works well.
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
On Friday I attended the final day of debate on the Report Stage and then Third Reading of the Assisted Dying Bill. I voted in support of the Bill which will now go to the House of Lords for their consideration.
You can read my statement here.
Getting in touch
My parliamentary email address is: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk. If you need my help, please get in touch.
Best wishes,
Alison
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