December 16, 2024 8:27 pm
Today is the start of the last week for Parliament business. It will close for the Christmas period with Thursday being the last day. Parliament opens again on Monday 6th January 2025. Two events this Wednesday are organised by Sussex MPs in Westminster Hall, an alternative venue for MPs to hold debates and named after the adjoining Westminster Hall. At 11am, John Milne, the Liberal Democrat MP for Horsham, has arranged to discuss the ‘Potential impact of Gatwick airspace modernisation review on local communities’. At 4.30pm Jessica Brown-Fuller, the Liberal Democrat MP for Chichester plans to debate ‘Creative arts education’.
Another possible item this afternoon might include some of our Sussex MPs as it is based on significant responses for two e-petitions. ‘relating to Israel and Palestine’ organised by Roz Savage the Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds. The 653509 e-petition ‘For the United Kingdom to recognise the state of Palestine immediately’ was proposed in early July 2024 but it closed at the end of May achieving 283,669 signatures after 12,427 in early May. It had significant signatures in Sussex with the largest locations in Brighton Pavilion at 1,743, for Hove at 1,047 and in Brighton Kemptown for 873. The other, 652949, ‘Immediately revoke all licences for arms exports to Israel’ was due for the end of July but it ended in May with 107,316 signatures after was only 46,203 in early May. The largest support in Sussex was 682 for Brighton Pavilion, 437 in Hove and 365 for Brighton Kemptown.
James MacCleary, MP for Lewes, was to present his personal “Football (Gender Inequality) Bill: Second Reading” on 8th November but it is now proposed for Friday, 16 May 2025. I hope it does get discussed. There is also a new contribution from Peter Lamb, Labour MP for Crawley for his new “Free School Meals (Automatic Registration of Eligible Children) Bill: Second Reading” currently due to be discussed on Friday 14th March 2025.
Sussex MP Andrew Griffith from Arundel and South Downs participated in a debate last Monday based on two e-Petitions named ‘Fireworks: Sale and Use’ The first, 639319 named ‘Ban the sale of fireworks to the general public’ achieved 50,288 signatures by 15th December 2023. The most significant signatures were in Crawley. The second, 700013 began on 5th November, ‘Limit the sale and use of Fireworks to licence holders only’ which currently has 79,321 signatures since last Thursday. It will continue to May next year and there has been support in all Sussex locations. The e-petitions were organised by Chloe Brindley and Alan Smith. Both were mentioned and present during the debate.
The Conservative MP, Julie Lopez representing Hornchurch and Upminster describes the loss of Alans mother through the use of fireworks “Alan is the son of Josephine Smith. She was a beautiful 88-year-old lady from Harold Wood, who lost her life in a house fire after a lit firework was stuffed through her letterbox in October 2021. Alan is in the Gallery today and I am very grateful to him for his courage in highlighting an issue that has caused him and his family such pain and trauma”
During his speech Andrew Griffith commented “I will particularly commend Alan’s bravery in highlighting an issue that has a real personal resonance for him and his family. He has bravely shared his story, and his Member of Parliament, my hon. Friend (Julia Lopez), did it great justice…. It is clear that this is a matter of great concern across the House…. I am familiar with the real challenges created by the deployment of unlicensed explosives over a significant part of the year: …I am told that it is objectively the case that fireworks have become bigger and louder…. It is clear that, as we have heard from both sides of the Chamber, no action is not the answer. I really hope the Government are listening. Members of my party and others, as well as some of the petitioners, think that although a ban should not be a first resort, it should not be taken off the table as a last resort…. We heard about the lack of sentences for the improper sale of fireworks; if such sentences had been in place, the tragic death of Alan’s mother might not have happened.We know that our police and blue light forces are under great pressure, but we also know that to govern is to choose. We all have to make choices with limited resources, and it would be good to see this area of criminality targeted. We heard about a menu of opportunities to tighten up regulations and particularly to restrict the stockpiling of fireworks. Although I am concerned about rushing to a ban that would deny the enjoyment…. it is also true that there is no possible reason for people to stockpile explosive fireworks, potentially in residential premises. This is an area that could be looked at again. The same is true of the age limit on purchase. Without answering those questions for the Government, the House should explore all those areas in more detail. I suspect that measures that are couched in the right way and are evidence-led will attract support across the House. Substantial contributions have been made today. On the Opposition’s part, let me say that we hear them loud and clear. I commend all involved: this has been an excellent use of the House’s time”.
Posted by ianchisnall
Categories: Parliament and Democracy
Tags: Andrew Griffith, James MacCleary, Jessica Brown-Fuller, John Milne, Julie Lopez, Peter Lamb, Roz Savage
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