We have all been horrified by the images of starvation and suffering we are seeing in Gaza. Mothers holding their skeletal children, people being shot at while trying to reach food and water. The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes is the result of deliberate actions by the Israeli government – and yet governments across the world are standing idly by.
In recent weeks, our own government has ramped up its rhetoric, with the Home Secretary calling the situation “intolerable”. And yet, as I pointed out to him in the House of Commons, he is tolerating it. I demanded to know why he isn’t putting in place the measures that would make a real difference: a full arms embargo, widespread sanctions, a ban on the import of settlement goods, and funding for evidence collection for prosecutions. Sadly, I didn’t get a proper answer from him.
Our government has also said recently that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine unless the Israeli government takes certain actions. This is a deeply cynical move – Palestinian statehood is not a bargaining chip, but a fundamental first step to securing peace, justice and safety for all Palestinians. I joined over 200 MPs from nine parties to call on the government to recognise a Palestinian state now, and I will keep doing everything I possibly can to pressure the government to take real action to end the genocide in Gaza.
Meanwhile in the UK I’ve been heartbroken to see our communities divided once again by far-right threats and intimidation. I’m frustrated and angry that government after government has failed to tackle the real issues facing ordinary people in this country – from the housing crisis to the spiralling cost of bills and food – and instead have whipped up hatred against migrants as a distraction. The result is families being terrorised by mobs, while life keeps getting harder for most people in this country because the government isn’t offering real solutions.
We need urgent action from the government to ensure everyone has a secure and affordable roof over their heads, bring down the cost of food and bills, and provide decent jobs for those who need them. And we need the wealthiest in society to start paying a fair share – that’s why I and my fellow Green MPs have been leading the now-growing calls for a tax on extreme wealth to fund our public services.
As always, meeting brilliant people and organisations in Bristol has kept me hopeful. I visited the Brandon Trust charity shop on Cotham Hill to talk about supporting disabled people, and I also met the local RSPB group on the Harbourside to discuss protecting nature in Bristol. I really enjoyed meeting members of Bristol’s Sudanese community. And it was lovely to host a summer event with advice organisations, celebrating the amazing work they do supporting constituents in Bristol Central. One of these was the Samaritans, who are searching for volunteers from all backgrounds. If that could be you, sign up at www.samaritans.org/branches/bristol
• If you live in Bristol Central and have a local issue you need support with, you can email me at bristolcentraloffice@parliament.uk or write to Carla Denyer MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA For enquiries about national issues email me using carla.denyer.mp@parliament.uk