(This piece was published in the Brighton Argus today – 23rd October 2023 under the headline of “Our MPs in Parliament”) This week, the second in Parliament following the break from the Party Political Conferences contains plans for a number of contributions from our local MPs including a theme from the last two years that should at least persuade them to participate and reflect on the views that a number of local residents think is important.

There is a discussion today relating to two e-petitions submitted two years ago. The first is “Make it a criminal offence for MPs to mislead the public” which achieved 110,966 signatures and it closed down in May 2021. The text included

A new offence should be created and legal sanctions should be introduced to stop MPs intentionally or recklessly misleading the public. This could restore a degree of trust in the UK’s political system.

All areas of Sussex have endorsed this with the most significant being Mid Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Hastings and Rye. The other item is “Make lying in the House of Commons a criminal offence” that received 133,008 signatures and closed in October 2021. The text included

The Government should introduce legislation to make lying in the House of Commons a criminal offence. This would mean that all MPs, including Ministers, would face a serious penalty for knowingly making false statements in the House of Commons, as is the case in a court of law.

All areas of Sussex have supported this but the most significant quantity of signatures are Worthing, Brighton and Hove and Lewes. The MP organising this event is Martyn Day a SNP member for the Linlithgow and East Falkirk.

On Wednesday in Westminster Hall there is a session organised by Caroline Ansell the Eastbourne MP the discussion is described “Government support for a circular economy”

On Tuesday a Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee which includes Lloyd Russell-Moyle from Brighton Pavilion the text is described “Pre-appointment Hearing: Chair of the House of Lords Appointment Commission” and there is Education Committee with Caroline Ansell about “Ofsted’s work with schools”. On Wednesday an Energy Security and Net Zero Committee which Lloyd Russell-Moyle plans to be present. The text is “Keeping the power on: our future energy technology mix”. Thursday sees the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee which again includes Lloyd Russell-Moyle and the text is “Pre-appointment Hearing: Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL)” 

Along with the contributions that are taking place this week there were several unplanned statements and debates promoting the views of many of our local MPs. The most significant element last Monday which the Government opened up is entitled “Israel and Gaza” which is obviously a matter of great importance. Rishi Sunak was the first to contribute. He started with

The attacks in Israel last weekend shocked the world. Over 1,400 people murdered one by one; over 3,500 wounded; almost 200 taken hostage; the elderly, men, women, children and babes in arms murdered, mutilated, burned alive. We should call it by its name: it was a pogrom. The families of some of the missing are in the Public Gallery today. We call for the immediate release of all hostages, and I say to them, “We stand with you. We stand with Israel.”

Keir Starmer spoke next followed by Peter Bottomley, the MP for Worthing West and the Father of the House of Commons. His contribution included

The House will be grateful to both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition for the lead that they have given in today’s statement.

And then

If we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we want to try to bring security, both to the people of Israel and to the Palestinians in Gaza. Does the Prime Minister know that he will have our support as he tries to do that?

The Prime Minister responded

I thank the Father of the House for what he has said, and I simply agree with his constituent in saying that all of us will pray for peace in the region

Two other Sussex MPs contributed, Henry Smith, the MP for Crawley and also Caroline Lucas, the Brighton Pavilion MP who included

The killing of over 2,600 civilians by the IDF is not only a humanitarian catastrophe but risks driving the deadly cycle of violence still further. I welcome the Prime Minister’s statement that he is straining every sinew to keep the flame of peace and stability alive, so will he listen to those UN experts calling for a ceasefire?

Last Tuesday the Leeds East Labour MP, Richard Burgon published an Early Day Motion which is called “Protecting civilians in Gaza and Israel” So far there have been 73 MP signatures who have endorsed including Caroline Lucas, Lloyd Russell-Moyle and Peter Bottomley.  Last Wednesday a debate entitled “Gaza: Al-Ahli Arab Hospital Explosion” was proposed by David Lammy the Labour MP for Tottenham and the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. He began with the call

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs if he will make a statement on the explosion at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.

Both Peter Bottomley and Caroline Lucas took part and contributed for Sussex.

It is very significant that in the last few days two new e-petitions have emerged which relate to Israel and Gaza both achieving more than 100,000 signatures so far. Both have been endorsed in Sussex and many people support them.