The first week back in Westminster after the Christmas recess was dominated by foreign policy issues. The world feels less predictable and more dangerous now than it has been in some time, and as an important global player, it is right that the United Kingdom pays keen attention to developments.
The week began with shock news from South America. The United States had captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife following air strikes on Venezuelan targets. The UK was not involved in the military operation.
Our government has long been a vocal critic of the Maduro regime, a regime that drove its economy into an 80% GDP collapse and forced over 8 million people to flee. I do, however, have concerns about this unilateral action from the United States and I know that the government will be monitoring developments closely.
The UK’s focus is now, rightly, upon a peaceful transition to democracy. The legacy left by Maduro is one of dismantled institutions and alleged crimes against humanity, including hundreds of extrajudicial killings.
As the acting President, Delcy Rodríguez takes the reins, we must continue to urge steps that reflect the will of the people, especially following the disputed 2024 election where independent tallies showed a victory for the now-exiled Edmundo González. Official results for this election have still not been published.
In the North Atlantic, the UK’s commitment to international law was shown with support for a US-led operation to intercept the motor vessel Bella 1. This “stateless” vessel had moved 7.3 million barrels of Iranian crude oil over four years, directly funding terrorism and supporting Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.
The significance of this operation cannot be overstated. It results in continued economic pressure; Russian oil revenues are down 27% since October 2024, thanks to the sanctioning of 544 vessels. It addresses our own national security; Iran remains a persistent threat, having plotted at least 15 assassination or kidnap attempts on British soil since 2022.
The UK and France are now leading a “coalition of the willing” to plan for a post-ceasefire multinational force in Ukraine.
We also looked at the continued efficacy of Magnitsky Sanctions. The UK has laid down over 1,000 new sanctions under the current government, targeting human rights abusers in locations globally. Our ability to act swiftly and with credible evidence remains one of the most powerful tools for isolating corrupt actors and deterring future violations of human rights.
The humanitarian crises in Gaza and Yemen remain at the forefront of the UK’s global agenda. We continue to demand that the Israeli government allow aid into Gaza without interference and will provide £116 million in aid this financial year. In Yemen, where 18.1 million people face acute food insecurity, we are the largest donor to the humanitarian response plan.
There has been change in Syria, where the government has committed to tackling security threats and joined the Global Coalition Against Daesh. While many complex challenges remain, this is a welcome opportunity for needed stability in the region.
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill was also debated this week. It will be a critical upgrade to national defence, addressing a threat that costs the UK economy nearly £15 billion every year. It will expand regulations to include data centres and managed IT providers.
The Bill aims to prevent the kind of disruption seen when attacks on NHS suppliers delayed thousands of medical appointments. A £210 million action plan further ensures the public sector leads the way in combatting cyber-attacks on our country.
I was also pleased to see the launch of our new Road Safety Strategy. The aim will be to target a 65% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2035.
This is the first such strategy in over a decade, focusing on “Vision Zero” principles where fatalities are seen as preventable rather than inevitable. £24 billion has been earmarked for infrastructure alongside consultations on lower alcohol limits for novice drivers. I am delighted that the government is treating road safety as a national priority.
Back in the constituency on Friday, I started the day off in Stretford visiting the Salvation Army building in Stretford. There is a community breakfast run by the Rehoboth organisation. A fantastic local community organisation, they promote mental wellbeing, family stability, cultural belonging, and resilience among children and young people.
Next, over to Firswood, for the launch of a Southway Housing Trust housing development. I was delighted to see this development from Southway Housing Trust in partnership with Trafford Council. Trafford has a shortage of housing in general, but particularly a lack of housing available at affordable rent.
All 80 one and two-bedroom properties on this site are available at affordable rent or for shared ownership, and I know that Southway are already working with Trafford Council to help house families in urgent need.
After that, I hopped on an online meeting with the Proud to be Parents organisation, a UK charity that has supported LGBT+ parents, carers, and their children across Greater Manchester for over 18 years now. We discussed how, we can recognise the and meet the needs of LGBT+ families during the rollout of the Best Start family hubs.
Then it was over to Trafford Town Hall for a regular catch-up with the council’s Chief Executive. I meet her most months and it is a valuable opportunity to flag issues that are raised with me by residents and be updated on council projects across the constituency.
I then headed over to Urmston for a constituency surgery. I met residents and discussed a wide range of issues. As usual there was plenty for me to follow up on afterwards. I conduct 4 surgeries a month, so if you need an appointment to discuss any issues, please get in touch.
Lastly, I went over to Partington to meet with the healthcare providers at the Family Hub to talk about the Hidden Treasure Trust and the closure of the Hideaway and Hope Centre. Many constituents have contacted me about this, and I can confirm that I am talking to the Council and other stakeholders about potential avenues of support, and how we can ensure that there is effective crisis support in Partington in the future.
I finished my weekend out on the doorsteps on Saturday, on the Moss Vale Rd area in Urmston. It is always good to get out and about and speak to residents about their issues and the things they care about.