This April, it was great to speak at the ‘Black in Business’ event in Parliament hosted by Channel 4 and Lloyds Banking Group. And it was great to hear from the amazing Black entrepreneurs and business owners, who spoke about the work that has been championed by this initiative.
It was lovely to join the RGNS’s celebrations this month as they welcomed a New Year 2081. I want to wish all Nepalis in Erith and Thamesmead and across the whole country a very Happy New Year.
This March, I have been busy in Parliament raising constituent’s concerns and challenging the Government in my role as a Shadow Health Minister.
At the beginning of the month, the Government announced the Spring Budget amidst the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis. At a time when so many people require urgent assistance with day-to-day living costs, it was disappointing to receive the Chancellor’s proposals which do very little for working people. Speaking to the media, I expressed my concerns and the need for a general election now.
As well as this, during Health and Social Care Questions, I raised the pressing issue of record waiting lists for gynaecological treatment, with waiting numbers tripling since 2012. I asked the Minister what their long-term strategy is for dealing with this critical issue. You can watch my question here or read it here.
It was also important to contribute to the Parliamentary debate on Health and Wellbeing services in Essex. Like many areas of Britain, Essex is experiencing extreme challenges in delivering adequate Healthcare provision. I outlined Labour’s plan to deliver more mental health support and cut waiting lists.
I was also pleased to contribute to a vital debate during Eating Disorders Awareness Week. With over a million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder, sadly it is the cause of more loss of life than any other mental health condition. In the debate, I shared Labour’s bold Child Health Action Plan with the ambition for this to be the healthiest generation of children ever.
Dear Friends,
Many thanks for taking the time to look at my latest newsletter for March 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
Responding to the Extending DLR to Thamesmead Consultation
This month, I submitted my response to the Transport for London (TfL) consultation on extending the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.
There is a clear consensus: we need #NextStopThamesmead now. Sign up to join my campaign via this link here.
#LetGirlsPlay football sessions for International Women’s Day
Friday 8th March 2024 marked the third annual #LetGirlsPlay football event across England. I was delighted to visit two schools in Erith and Thamesmead that took part, St Thomas A Becket Primary School and De Lucy Primary School.
Walkabout with Superintendent Simon Corbin
I was pleased to be able to join the London Metropolitan Police Superintendent for the London Borough of Bexley, Simon Corbin, and his colleagues for a walkabout around Thamesmead to discuss the great work the local team is doing to keep residents safe.
My Work in Parliament
At the beginning of the month, the Government announced the Spring Budget amidst the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis.
At Health and Social Care Questions, I raised the pressing issue of record waiting lists for gynaecological treatment, with the number of women waiting tripling since 2012. You can watch my question here or read it here.
One Voice Roundtable
I spoke with health professionals and charities at Royal College of Midwives One Voice round table about how maternal outcomes must improve.
One of the 100 Women in Westminster
It was an honour to be recognised as one of the hundred women making a difference, and to be selected amongst other female trailblazers. You can read more about this event here.
Furthermore:
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This month, I was pleased to speak with health professionals and charities from One Voice to discuss collaboration on key issues including pregnancy, maternity, neonatal care, and early years services.
I was joined by representatives from the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Sands and many other important organisations. I found hearing suggestions on how to improve the accessibility and quality of care for mothers particularly interesting and I look forward to continuing this important conversation.
As Shadow Minister for Women’s Health and Mental Health, I was also pleased to speak at this symposium focused on how Black Men are disproportionately detained under the Mental Health Act.
The law as it stands is not fit for purpose, with Black people four times more likely to be sectioned than White people and eight times more likely to be placed under a Community Treatment Order (CTO).
My speech emphasised the urgent reform needed to the Mental Health Act and how that can be achieved. I would like to thank Policy Connect and Lord Bradley for inviting me to join as the keynote speaking at this vital event.
I was pleased to be able to join the London Metropolitan Police Superintendent for the London Borough of Bexley, Simon Corbin, and his colleagues for a walkabout around Thamesmead to discuss the great work the local team are doing to keep resident’s safe.
It was helpful to learn about the priorities locally, including drugs dealing, youth violence and issues around local secondary schools. We agreed to have such walkabouts regularly to keep up to date on the current issues within the constituency and discuss the best ways of working together.
You can find your local officer, get the latest crime statistics, and discover what the Police are doing to tackle crime in your area here: https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/
This month, I had the opportunity to give the Keynote speech at the Black Maternal Health Conference hosted by the Motherhood Group.
In my speech, I spoke about how we can and must improve Black maternal health. Most importantly, I spoke about the shockingly high rates of maternal mortality and the stark disparities that mean Black and Asian mothers are much more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth.
I was also pleased to join the Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary, Anneliese Dodds MP, in a visit to the Motherhood Group’s community hub to hear from new mothers directly. The stories we heard were truly shocking. Some mothers are too terrified to have another baby and others are just happy to be alive.
Unfortunately, earlier this year, we found out that the Government’s Maternity Disparities Taskforce met just twice last year. In contrast, I’m pleased that Labour have committed to set targets to close the maternal mortality gap.
You can read more about our plans here.
On Monday 11 March, the Guardian revealed the appalling and racist comments made by the Conservative Party’s biggest donor, Frank Hester. They revealed that Mr Hester said Diane Abbott makes you “want to hate all black women” and that she “should be shot”.
These comments about Diane Abbott were utterly revolting and are absolutely not acceptable.
When responding, Mr Hester said that his comments were “rude” and “had nothing to do with [Diane’s] gender nor colour of her skin”.
I have been absolutely clear. These comments were not just rude, they were racist. This language should be condemned in the strongest terms.
Unfortunately, it took the Prime Minister nearly two days to respond and call these remarks racist in person. However, he has yet to hand back the £10 million donation that his party received from Mr Hester.
When these comments were revealed, I spoke out on LBC, BBC News and Sky News to share my views about these shocking remarks and why the Tories and the Prime Minister should have handed back these donations.
You can see my remarks using the links here: LBC, BBC News and Sky News.
