This article was originally published in the Bromsgrove Standard, 13/3/2023: https://bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/news/our-support-for-the-ukrainian-peo…
SINCE my last column for the Bromsgrove Standard, we have marked the first anniversary of Putin’s illegal and barbaric invasion of Ukraine.
This terrible war continues to rage on at the expense of thousands of innocent lives.
Last month, President Zelensky attended Parliament to give a speech at Westminster Hall. I was extremely honoured to have attended such a momentous occasion and our support for the Ukrainian people remains absolute.
In Parliament, I welcomed the Prime Minister’s ‘Windsor Framework’. This legislation is a needed amendment to the Northern Ireland Protocol that secures Northern Ireland’s place in the Union.
It will eradicate the customs border down the Irish Sea and secure the sovereignty of Stormont over the EU.
Last week also marked the The Marriage and Civil Partnership Act coming into force. This is a Bill I introduced in Parliament in 2021 and, thanks to the work of Pauline Latham MP, it has now become law. It has always been my firm view that child marriage is child abuse and at home and abroad – the UK should be doing all we can to prevent it.
In line with my ongoing work regarding online safety, I co-wrote an opinion piece for The Daily Telegraph with Baroness Kidron of 5Rights Foundation.
In tragic cases where a child has died, we are proposing an amendment that will support coroners and parents gain access to pertinent online data.
At the moment, too many bereaved families are left without answers by tech companies and this needs to change.
Locally, I had the pleasure of visiting Meadows First School where I discussed my experiences as Health Secretary and answered a range of questions regarding healthcare in the UK and abroad.
I also met Citizens Advice Bureau and Nationwide to discuss how they are supporting my constituents during these challenging times.
As always, if any of my constituents have any concerns or issues that they wish to contact me about, I can be reached at sajid.javid.mp@parliament.uk.
Sajid Javid, Bromsgrove MP