My Weekly Update - 3 May

This week, we had local elections in the West Midlands.  

In Birmingham, we had the chance to vote for our next West Midlands Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner. I’m proud to have cast my vote for Labour’s candidates Richard Parker for Mayor and Simon Foster for PCC. 

Tomorrow, we will know the results of these elections. 

The local election results have so far from across the country show the Labour Party is winning in the places that will decide the general election. 

We have gained key councils such as Rushmoor, Thurrock, and Hartlepool and gained an MP for Blackpool South with a historic 26% swing. In our region, Labour picked up nine seats and overall control in Redditch. All of these overlap with battlegrounds for the next election and represent several key areas of the country which Labour needs to win. If Labour is to win the next election, we need to be winning in these places – and we are. 

The Tories’ vote has collapsed in a key by election and they are suffering significant losses of council seats. Responsibility for this sits firmly with Rishi Sunak who is being punished by voters for the Tories’ failure. 

These results are sending a clear message that people across the country are demanding change, and only the Labour Party will deliver that. It’s time for a general election now. 

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Tobacco and Vapes Bill

This week, I participated in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill committee evidence session. 

In my role as Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Public Health, I had the chance to question various witnesses from relevant organisations to get oral evidence which continues to inform the amendments I am tabling to the Bill.

I heard a lot of compelling evidence about the harms caused by smoking, the proliferation of vaping in schools and the thriving illegal market of vapes. 

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Sight Loss

This week, I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate about preventable sight loss. 

This Government has treated eye care as an afterthought. 619,000 people are on a waiting list for a hospital eye appointment, and 250 people start to lose their sight every day. 

Labour will give eye health the attention it deserves, by moving more care to the community and utilising our high street opticians to support those who are suffering sight loss.

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Alcohol Health Alliance 

It was good to meet with the Alcohol Health Alliance to discuss ways to reduce alcohol harms. 

Last week it emerged that a shocking 10,000 people died from drinking in 2022. This is the third year in a row of record-breaking alcohol-specific deaths. 

Alcohol treatment services have been hollowed out over 14 years of Tory government. Labour knows how important local services, public health and prevention is for tackling inequalities and improving the nation’s health. 

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Langar 

It was great to join Labour’s mayoral candidate Richard Parker at Guru Nanak Gurdwara to see first-hand the Sikh concept of Langar, or free kitchen. He also saw how faith communities are stepping in to deliver key public health and early years initiatives. 

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Profile 

It was great to speak to the Birmingham Post about my journey into politics and my relationship with my father.

The piece can be accessed online here:

Birmingham Post

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Local News

Birmingham Libraries  

This week, I met with representatives from the Council to discuss the future of our city’s libraries.  

I will be doing all that I can in my capacity as an MP to ensure we have a service that delivers for our communities.

The Council’s consultation on the future of our libraries is open. Have your say by following the link below. 

Click Me

Poland Syndrome 

It was lovely to join my constituents Paul and Rachel at the first ever Poland syndrome festival! Very little is known about Poland syndrome and many families struggle to access support. Thanks so much to Paul and Rachel for campaigning on such an important issue. 

MHRC 

Next Tuesday, 7th May, the MHWC will be visiting Jackson Way, B32 1BS. The centre will be open between 07:30 and 13:00, so please do come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of. 

Campaigning

It’s been a great week out campaigning for Richard Parker for West Midlands Mayor and Simon Foster for Police and Crime Commissioner. If you would like to support me campaigning and join me doorknocking, please contact: officeofpreetgill@gmail.com.

Best wishes,

Preet Kaur Gill MP

Birmingham Edgbaston covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne and Quinton