June Newsletter

Friday 24th May: On the day of its 100th anniversary, I had the fortune of meeting the management and two government relations officers at the Tesco in Belmont Circle. The meeting was a good chance for me to acknowledge the great contribution this retailer has made to our society and to be informed about recent activity in the retail sector.

Tuesday 28th May: As a keen supporter of the Cancer Research UK charity, I was pleased to meet the volunteers at the Stanmore branch store to hear about the research that the network of shops contribute towards. Not only is it the largest charitable funder of cancer research in the world, but it is also working hard to spread awareness about early signs of cancer as well as raising money through events like Race for Life.

Friday 31st May: As a member of the Housing, Communities, and Local Government Committee, I was pleased to be involved in the launching of a new inquiry into the long-term delivery of social and affordable housing. We opened up the opportunity for the public to contribute written evidence, which we hope will give momentum to our campaign.

Tuesday 4th June: In the Commons I brought up the need to increase employment opportunities for prisoners once they have been released from prison. Given over two thirds of ex-convicts struggle to find work after their release, they're clearly a disadvantaged group which the government needs to help in order for this country to thrive. In addition to the routine meetings and Urgent Question, I also attended the Jeynajali International Cultural Show. The event was in celebration of artists who have enriched our cultural globally, therefore it was a pleasure to present them with recognition of excellence awards.

Wednesday 5th June: As most days, today was consumed by PMQs, Urgent Questions, and a 1922 Committee meeting, among other meetings. It was refreshing to also have the opportunity to consult other members of the APPG on our next steps to ending homelessness, as well as attending a leaving do reception for Lord Porter for his contributions during his time as Chairman of the LGA. The day finished late in the evening after the Hanuman Chalisa event I hosted as a continuation of a previous talk I held in 2016 on the lessons we can learn from the deity Hanuman and the Hanuman Chalisa.

Thursday 6th June: In the Commons we were tackling big questions, including a debate on the response to the Grenfell Tower fire. As well as this, I further raised the need for a debate on the crisis in Sri Lanka, given the escalating violence in the country and recent mass resignation of Muslim ministers and governors.

Friday 7th June: Aware of the great need to answer constituents' questions about Brexit, I went to a question and answers event hosted by Harrow MENCAP alongside a diverse selection of other speakers. Later in the day I was happy to see my early day motion in action. It encouraged MPs to acknowledge the beneficial reforms the BJP have pledged to the people of India, and to support strengthened India-UK relations under Narendra Modi's governance.

Monday 10th June: I had the excellent opportunity to attend the Rotary Club and make a speech on how to change the law, where I gave the example of my experience pushing through The Homelessness Reduction Act. The busy day concluded with the annual parliamentary reception in celebration of the hard work local government has been involved in over the past years.

Tuesday 11th June: As many of my constituents have raised their concerns, I decided to represent them during Urgent Questions by bringing Parliament's attention to the recent scrap of free TV licences for over-75s. I argued that the promise made to this age bracket ought to be honoured, urging the Government to put pressure on the BBC to uphold this commitment. This was followed by a Backbench Business Committee meeting and a hustings event where candidates for the Conservative Party leadership made speeches on why they should be elected.

Wednesday 12th June: Today I had an article published in The House - a parliamentarian magazine. The piece called on the government not to delay in repealing the Vagrancy Act, as it is an archaic law which undermines the government's efforts to help the homeless. As a member of the 1922 Committee, I have also been very busy organising ballots for MPs voting on the candidates for the new Conservative Party leader.

Thursday 13th June: In the Commons I made a speech about the importance of high streets to the people across the country, and hence, the need to rejuvenate them by putting pressure on property owners to let their properties at a reasonable rate, and by building up the partnership between local authorities and retailers.

Friday 14th June: As the ballots were drawn for the second hustings, it was another busy day organising votes for the 1922 Committee. Though I did squeeze in time for my visit to the Hungry Caterpillars nursery to discuss with staff the challenges nursery schools face, and to meet the lively children for which they care. Later that day I got to unwind with the staff at the Seven Balls pub on Kenton Lane for its post-refurbishment opening.

Monday 17th June: In the morning I held one of my regular surgeries to discuss their concerns regarding various issues. In the Commons I later brought attention to the desperate need for more social housing to be built before attending a hustings event and a meeting reviewing local government finance.

Tuesday 18th June: During Urgent Questions, the Commons had a much-needed discussion on citizen rights in Hong Kong. Later in the day I also attended a Backbench Business Committee meeting to discuss the Government's existing spending and its consequences, as well as the second ballot count for the leadership elections.

Wednesday 19th June: With the third ballot on the leadership election, we were nearing the greatly-anticipated result of who is to be the next Prime Minister. But this is not to mean that business does not continue as usual in the office - my day was still well-spent at a PMQs on topics like recycling nuclear submarines, and a reception on the Vagrancy Act report. As a member of the Housing, Communities, and Local Government Committee, and an advocate for every person having a stable home to live in, I am naturally greatly invested in this movement to scrap the act which ultimately criminalises vulnerable people.

Thursday 20th June: Yet another busy day in Parliament with the fourth and fifth ballot on the leadership election, as well as questions and debates on a variety of topics ranging from Church Commissioners to refugee family reunions.

Monday 24th June: In the morning, I had the pleasure of meeting children from Weald Junior Primary School in parliament, followed by an event hosted by Lord Gadhia in celebration of UK India Week and the strong bonds between our two great democracies. My evening was spent at a Jewish Care Campaign Dinner which shed light on the importance of the organisation's day care and outreach work.

Tuesday 25th June: In the Commons, I raised the issue of the Palestinian Authority refusing to allow NGOs such as the Parents Circle-Families Forum and MEET from operating. I strongly believe that these NGOs play an important role in encouraging Palestinians and Israelis to come together, and should not be suppressed.

Wednesday 26th June: I was delighted to join the Confederation of Indian Industry and Lord Dholakia OBE DL at a Parliamentary Reception in celebration of UK-India relations. The links we have fostered over generations has helped both countries to address socio-economic issues, making the partnership invaluable.

Thursday 27th June: The Commons was once again animated by pressing questions, making it the perfect occasion for me to raise my concerns about the antiquated Vagrancy Act which criminalises the homeless for begging and sleeping on our streets. I further raised the need to maintain EU citizens' right to participate in local elections in the UK post-Brexit, which I know will acutely affect many of my constituents.