Early Day Motions
These are motions set down for
'an early day'. No time is available for debating them, but they provide an
opportunity to register an opinion and gather support on almost any subject
To see which EDMs I have sponsored or 'tabled' (that I have initiated) and signed
(given my support to) click here.
If you would like to browse other MPs EDMs you can search the EDM Database or look under the House of Commons
on the Parliament website:www.parliament.uk
Below are some examples of EDMs I have tabled recently and in previous
years:
19.12.2006
EDM 539: OPEN BETHLEHEM CAMPAIGN
That this House notes the unacceptable power that the Israeli authorities
hold over access to and within the Palestinian territories; is concerned about the
increased tendency to refuse access to international visitors, including the hon. Member
for Birmingham, Selly Oak and a party of women from Birmingham on a mission whose purpose
had been fully explained in advance to the Israeli Embassy; trusts that the pilgrimage to
the Holy Land of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of
Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Moderator of the Free Churches, the
Reverend David Coffey, and the Primate of the Armenian Church of Great Britain, Bishop
Nathan Hovhannisian, meets with no such difficulties; and hopes that their visit will not
only draw attention to the campaign by Open Bethlehem, an international project working to
draw attention to the city's plight and to the devastating effect on the economy of
Bethlehem of the illegal wall and the associated restrictions on movement, but will also
help promote the goodwill needed to end the cycle of violence and secure lasting peace and
security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Click on the below cartoon to enlarge
14.12.2006
EDM 512: FAIRFORD COACH ACTION
CAMPAIGN VICTORY
That this House congratulates the Fairford Coach Action campaign on
obtaining a House of Lords ruling that the police acted unlawfully in preventing 120
people from demonstrating at RAF Fairford airbase on 22nd March 2003 by searching their
coaches for nearly two hours when only two miles from the airbase and then forcing the
coaches back to London by police escort; notes that passengers were not permitted toilet
or rest breaks during the return two and a half hour journey to London, despite repeated
requests; further notes that, despite the then Home Secretary's allegations, no cudgels
and swords were found on the coaches, but agrees with Lord Justice May that two pairs of
scissors actually found `would not make much impression on the perimeter fencing of the
airbase'; notes that stop and search powers under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000
were used 2,254 times at RAF Fairford as people demonstrated there between 6th March and
27th April 2003 but no arrests followed, providing evidence for the view that the
Terrorism Act was used to harass protestors who wished to dissent against the war in Iraq;
and celebrates that this ruling protects the right to freedom of protest in the future,
ensuring that members of society can make their voices heard and call politicians and
Government to account for their actions.
Click here to
see my press release in support of the campaign in 2004
From a previous Session, I tabled the following EDM on 25 Feb 04:
KATHARINE
GUN AND REFORM OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT
That this House applauds the courage and patriotism of GCHQ translator Katharine Gun
who made public information about a memo from the US Government National Security Agency
requesting UK assistance with a covert surveillance campaign of the United Nations
Security Council members such as Mexico and Chile prior to voting on a resolution which
would have endorsed the proposed invasion of Iraq in March 2003; welcomes the decision to
drop the charges against her for breaching the Official Secrets Act; considers that the
actions of Ms Gun qualify her as a whistleblower - an employee who, on the basis of
principle, exposes a malpractice or a miscarraige of justice that deserves public
attention; calls on the Government to reform the Official Secrets Act so that
whistleblowers are able to have a public interest defence so that if a jury can be
persuaded that a breach of the Official Secrets Act is in the public interest this should
be an absolute defence; and calls on the Government to make a statement on the information
made public by Ms Gun.
Another example from a previous Session, the following EDM was tabled on 07
January 2003:
WITHDRAWAL OF ASYLUM SUPPORT FOR IN-COUNTRY APPLICANTS
That this House supports the statement from the Refugee Council, Shelter, Amnesty
International UK, Asylum Rights Campaign, CRISIS, JCORE, JCWI, Maternity Alliance, Medical
Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, Migrant Helpline, Oxfam, Refugee Action and
Refugee Arrivals Project against the Government's decision to deprive destitute in-country
asylum applicants of the right to food and shelter from 8 January 2003; notes that the
National Asylum Support Service is only available to people who show they would otherwise
be destitute and people who lose this support through the operation of Section 55 of the
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 will become destitute; is deeply concerned
that Section 55 will affect all in-country applicants who represent two thirds of those
applying for asylum; notes that refugees are often unable to claim asylum at ports of
entry for the reasons cited by the 1996 Social Security Advisory Committee, including lack
of knowledge of the UK asylum process, language difficulties and trauma; further notes
this is supported by official figures showing that 65 per cent of all successful claims,
including Exceptional Leave to Remain, are made by in-country applicants; regrets that the
Government focus on deterrence of people seeking asylum has seen a more punitive
philosophy take hold of government policy and notes this has had no long-term effect in
reducing numbers of asylum applications but has had a detrimental effect on the well-being
of refugees; believes that all asylum applicants should have their cases considered fairly
and be treated with dignity.
click here for more information on refugees
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