Dear Friends,

Many thanks for taking the time to look at my latest newsletter for July 2024.

I hope you enjoy this update on some of the work I have been doing in Erith and Thamesmead and in Parliament over the last month.

As ever, if you want to get in touch, don’t hesitate to contact me using the email address: abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk

Abena

General Election 2024 

On Thursday 4 July 2024, I was very thankful to be re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead. It has been a great privilege to represent this constituency since 2019 and I am committed to continuing to work tirelessly on your behalf.

I’m also so proud to have helped elect a Labour Government on a manifesto of change and its plans to rebuild our economy, our public services and trust in politics.  

You can read my full message of thanks to constituents on my website here. You can also watch my victory speech here and watch me being sworn into Parliament here.  

Greenwich and Bexley Hospice Visit

I am honoured to be a patron of the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice, so I was delighted that the Hospice was one of my first visits since my re-election.  

This year marks the Hospice’s 30th anniversary and they have been recognising everyone who has helped them get to this point.  

Erith and Woolwich Kabaddi Tournament 2024

Thanks also to the Erith & Woolwich Kabaddi Club for organising this year’s Erith and Woolwich Kabaddi Tournament on Winns Common. I attended last year and so it was great to come again and to be joined by the Mayor of Greenwich, Cllr Jit Ranabhat, and Cllr Baljeet Singh Gillon and see so many fans of the sport there too. 

King’s Speech 2024

This month we also saw the first King’s Speech of the new Government. From public rail ownership, the establishment of Great British Energy, new housebuilding and planning bills, Renters’ Rights Bill, Employment Rights Bill, and the emphasis on economic stability, the speech laid out the Government’s upcoming agenda for Parliament.  

I’m pleased that reform of the Mental Health Act has also been included. Having recently worked on the mental health brief, I know how vital these reforms will be to provide greater support and equality for those it serves to protect.  

Appointed as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office

I am also honoured to have been appointed as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office and to have the opportunity to deliver real change as a member of the Government.  

In this role, I’ll work in the Cabinet Office on cross-government cooperation and delivery of the Government’s priorities. You can find out more on my website here.  

UNRWA Funding

It was important to see the new Foreign Secretary announce that the UK will restart funding to UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the key aid delivery body in Gaza.  

In February, I raised this issue directly with the last Government and urged them to commit to a timeline to bring back funding. I join the new Government in their calls for unfettered access for humanitarian organisations alongside an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians, the release of all hostages and a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution. You can find my question here or watch it here.  

Parkfest at Bostall Gardens

Finally, it was lovely to be at Parkfest at Bostall Gardens with the Mayor of Greenwich, Cllr Jit Ranabhat, and Cllr Ann-Marie Cousins. Great to meet so many families and local businesses there and I want to thank Bostall Gardens Friends Group for organising such a great community event.

Furthermore:

• Lenses Abbey Woods’s Green Flag Award – I am pleased that once again Lenses Abbey Woods retains the Green Flag Award and its worthy recognition as one our country’s best parks.
• Opening Day Fixtures released for Erith Town FC – Looking forward to Erith Town FC’s debut in the Isthmian League’s South East-Division. Find out more on their website here: Erith Town FC – Home of The Dockers!
• England at the Euros 2024 – I am sure we’re all proud of the England Team’s successful and exciting run to another Euros final this summer. Well done!
• D-Day 80th Anniversary – Last month, I was proud to join tributes at the Abbey Wood Memorial Garden to the brave British and Commonwealth soldiers on this historic anniversary. Their courage will never be forgotten.
• Grenfell Tower Anniversary – June also marked seven years since the Grenfell Tower fire, which took 72 lives. My thoughts were with the victims, their families and the survivors as we marked this tragic anniversary.
• Jo Cox Anniversary – It has also been eight years since the tragic murder of Jo Cox. Her words ‘We have more in Common than that which divides us’, stays with us and drives our sense of purpose for change.
• Happy St George’s Day – On Windrush Day, Sunday 22 June, we celebrated the generation that served Britain with greatness, spirit and devotion. We can be inspired by their efforts as we look to change Britain for the Better.

Stay updated on social media

For regular updates on my activities, follow me on Twitter (@abenaopp), Facebook (Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Erith and Thamesmead), and Instagram (abena.oppongasare.mp).

You can also sign up to my digital newsletter at www.abenaoppongasare.com/get_in_touch