On 25 April 2024 Barry spoke in a Westminster Hall debate ratification of the Global Ocean Treaty.
“I don’t know how much you think about whale poo” said Barry, “but understanding the importance of it for life on our planet is quite sobering”.
Crisis in Gaza: Since when did the Tories become the Party of appeasement?
On 17 April 2024, there was an Urgent Question on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Barry asked: “Since when did the Party of Edmund Burke become a Party of complicity and appeasement?”
In the words of Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Sadiq Khan's free school meals will make a huge difference for families in Brent
Labour’s plans to fund our NHS and give children in London free school meals are going to change lives.
After bragging about being voted as the most boring MP in parliament by his colleagues, Barry went on to explain the policies that build Labour’s vision and will make a real difference to people’s lives.
If the government can legislate that Rwanda is safe they may as well legislate that sugar will no longer damage health
On April 15 2024 Barry intervened to ask his colleague Steven Kinnock if he shared his “marvel” at the government’s ability to simply rule that Rwanda is a safe country.
Will the government use its amazing power to legislate that “CO2 no longer causes global warming and that sugar, fat and alcohol will no longer damage human health”.
The price for the government's failrue will be paid for by hard pressed families
On 16 April 2024 Barry asked the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho to “fess up” and tell the truth that the price of her failure “will be paid for by hard pressed families”.
Independent analysis says that Labour’s plans will reduce families’ energy bills by £300 a year.
What will the UK do if Israel chooses to retaliate further to Iran?
On April 15 2024 Barry asked the Prime Minister:
“Iran sought to justify its unjustifiable attack on Israel on the basis that it was retaliating for Israel's attack on its consulate. I welcome the fact that the Prime Minister has said that in his telephone conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu later today, he will be urging de-escalation. In that telephone conversation, will he set out the measures the UK will take if, in fact Israel seeks to retaliate further?”
Fighting to prevent Byron Court Academisation
After a poor Ofsted report, Byron Court primary is being forced into academisation that parents, staff and children don’t want.
See below my letter to Gillan Keegan, the Secretary of State for Education, calling for the acadamisation to be suspended so as to allow a suitable period of 6 months (2 of which would in any case be in school holidays) to enable the school governors and the Rapid Improvement Group to turn things around.
I have recently received a response not from Baroness Barran, the Minister for the School System and Student Finance, rejecting a meeting. Instead directing me to the Deputy Director of London Regions Group. I will be taking up this meeting as soon as possible to do all I can to save Byron Court Primary from impending academisation.
In their response, Baroness Barran states that it is “the right decision for Byron Court Primary School”. The community at Byron Court Primary disagree. I will do all I can to make sure this is clear to them.
See their response below:
Celebrating a local hero
Jean-Luc Julienne a bar team leader at JJ Moons, Wembley was awarded the National Pubwatch Bravery & Meritorious Award for his bravery and selfless commitment, without thought to his own safety, by saving the life of a customer who had been seriously injured in a knife attack.
Barry went to meet Jean-Luc at JJ Moons to congratulate him for his selfless bravery.
Thames Water is collapsing – there’s only one way to save it
If the Tory government won't nationalise Thames Water, then it is going to have to be radical to avert a disaster - Barry Gardiner
On the 3rd of April 2024 Barry Gardiner published an article in the House Magazine outlining how Thames Water go to where it is today - on the verge of collapse. He then exaplins the “radical” solution.
Read the full piece here.
Lending a helping hand - Swaminarayan Food Delivery Service
One day foodbanks will no longer be necessary in the U.K. Let’s make it soon.
Until then it is great to be with the team from Helping Hands who bring warmth and joy to people every week.
