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We must tackle the knife crime epidemic

On 26th November our constituency was rocked by the deaths of two 16-year-old boys, Charlie Bartolo and Kearne Solanke.  Charlie and Kearne were tragically killed by knife crime.  This awful crime is a blight on the future of our young people and can only be resolved if all MPs work together across the House to address and tackle serious youth violence. At Prime Minister’s Questions, I asked the Prime Minister what he is doing to address the knife crime epidemic that has shocked our community.

You can watch my speech using the following link here, and you can read my question to the Prime Minister here.

Since then, I have also written to the Home Secretary to confirm what she is doing to end this epidemic now. You can read it here: Abena Oppong-Asare Letter to Rt Hon Suella Braverman MP

Abena Oppong-Asare Tweet on November 30th 2022:

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Centenary Action Group Parliamentary Event

Last week I attended the ‘How can we reach equal representation of women in Parliament by 2028?’ event hosted by Centenary Action Group (CAG).

CAG is a coalition bringing together organisations from across the women’s sector to enable collaboration, joint action and campaigning to eradicate the barriers that prevent women, in all their diversity, from taking part in politics and to improve women’s political participation in the UK.

This event enabled a cross-party discussion about the way forward and the sharing of ideas and experiences to ensure the next election does not see a slippage of female candidates. I spoke about Labour Women Network’s Selections For This Millennium campaign, the Jo Cox Women in Leadership Scheme and the Labour Women Network’s Political School. Labour has upskilled and encouraged almost 400 women in the last 12 months.

It was lovely meeting women from across different sectors who are looking to stand for election in the coming years.

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Remembrance Sunday

 

On Remembrance weekend, we paid tribute to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and we stand with our armed forces, veterans and their families.

I was honoured to lay wreaths across our community in remembrance of all those in Erith and Thamesmead who gave their lives to protect our freedom. Standing together with members of the constituency, we expressed our gratitude for those who serve and their families.

On Saturday 12th November, I laid wreaths at Thamesmead War memorial followed by the War Memorial at Plumstead Cemetery.

On Remembrance Sunday, I attended the remembrance service at St. Michaels & All Angels Church in Abbey Wood and then laid a wreath at the Abbey Wood Memorial Gardens.

I want to express my thanks to Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Royal British Legion for arranging the services. I was also happy to support their poppy appeal in Thamesmead, who continue to do an invaluable service as they raise funds for our armed forces community.

We will remember them.  

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Abena speaks out on ending the ban on onshore wind

The Government should end the ban on  onshore wind.   Removing the onshore wind ban will make Britain a clean air energy superpower and open up new investment and growth opportunities.

Keeping the ban will contribute to energy bills  being £16 billion higher between now and 2030.   This isn’t sustainable for households who are facing difficult choices in a cost of living crisis.

You can watch my speech using the following link here, and you can read my speech here

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