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Bell’s Newsletter

15th April 2023

Dear *|FNAME|*,

Last week saw one of those very special occasions when the major festivals of the three Abrahamic faiths overlap. Chag sameach, Ramadan Mubarak and Happy Easter to everyone marking these dates over the past week. This only happens three times every century. This week also saw the special Sikh date of Vaisakhi alongside Tamil and Bengali New Year. Such a slew of special occasions falling all at once should be a time a time for people from our diverse communities to come together. At a time when the government of the day is desperately trying to turn human beings into enemies, having an awareness of our common humanity is more vital than ever.

Windrush Scandal: Five Years On

Our local community marked the fifth anniversary of the Windrush Scandal coming to light with a powerful vigil in Windrush Square last week. I was proud to call for justice alongside Windrush survivors and elders from the African and Caribbean communities who have shaped the culture and success of our area. If the Government was serious about learning the lessons of the Windrush Scandal and ensuring nobody has to endure what its survivors did, they would be implementing the Windrush Lessons Learned Review in full, not u-turning on key commitments. They would be taking the failed compensation scheme away from the unreformed department that administered the Windrush Scandal in the first place. Finally, they would not be extending the hostile environment that caused so much suffering, they would be ending and replacing it with a fair and humane immigration system.

Kalayaan: Supporting Exploited Workers

Behind closed doors in some of Britain’s wealthiest homes, migrant domestic workers are trapped in some of the most abusive and exploitative conditions anywhere in the UK. Between 1998 and April 2012, migrant domestic workers could change employer, extend their visa and apply for family members to join them in the UK and for settlement after five years. But in 2012, they were ensnared in the hostile environment. It was great to take part in an event organised by Kalayaan, a charity which has provided advocacy and support services to these workers for over 35 years. I’ll keep fighting to amplify the workers calling out the abuse and exploitation they face and for the restoration of the rights they enjoyed under the last Labour Government.

Throwing the First Wood at Belmont Bowling Club

Belmont Bowling Club is a warm and welcoming oasis in the heart of Streatham, for older members of our local community but increasingly for lawn bowls players of all ages. It was an honour to throw the first wood of the 2023 season for the second season running, which is quickly becoming one of my favourite annual fixtures. Wishing the club every success for the season ahead! Do Streatham proud!

National Action Network Convention 2023

I was honoured to be invited back to the New York this month to take part in my second National Action Network (NAN) Convention. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works in the spirit and tradition of Dr Martin Luther King Junior to promote a modern civil rights agenda. Their aim is to create one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for everyone regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship, criminal record, economic status, gender, gender expression, or sexuality. It was great to learn from activists from across US civil society about the campaigns they are running to this effect. I also had the chance to speak with the audience, sharing my take on the worsening situation facing minoritised communities in the UK and the importance of international solidarity in the fight for racial justice.

National Education Union Conference: Stand up to Racism

Thank you to Stand Up to Racism for inviting me to speak at their fringe event during this year’s National Education Union Conference. Educators have a vital role to play in the fight against racism but chronic under-resourcing and failures to create a more diverse curriculum make their job so much harder. By investing in our schools and equipping every child with an honest understanding of history and the realities of racism in the present, we can pave the way towards a fairer, more equal country that truly respects and values everyone.

As ever, if you have any questions about the work I’m doing as MP, please get in touch at this address: bell.ribeiroaddy.mp@parliament.uk.

Best wishes,

Bell Ribeiro-Addy,
Labour MP for Streatham

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