Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP

Member of Parliament for Streatham (and parts of Balham, Clapham Common, Tulse Hill and Brixton Hill)
Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Clapham & Brixton Hill

Members’ Report: September-October 2020

Nov 6, 2020 | Members Report

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September and October have been busy months, with Parliament scrutinising a number of Bills and the rise of coronavirus cases finally culminating in another lockdown (two weeks too late). With England going back into lockdown as of this week, it’s absolutely essential we all do our bit to maintain social distancing measures as best we can; remember: hands, face and space.

October was also Black History Month and whilst we couldn’t celebrate it in the usual way, it was great to see lots of people at our All Member Meeting to discuss the need for change in our education system and across society.

If you have any questions about the contents of the report or anything else related to the work I’m doing as MP, please get in touch in the usual way (full contact details in my report).

AMM-Report-September-October-2020

Over the past few weeks, we have seen a steep rise in COVID-19 cases across the UK. Scotland, Nothern Ireland and Wales have all introduced stricter restrictions to curb the rising cases and we saw several local lockdowns enforced across England. Meanwhile in London, the number of cases rose rapidly, and the Government dithered and delayed with deciding on whether to introduce stricter measures nationally.

We eventually had a decision from the Government to introduce a three-tiered system of local lockdowns, not that this made the situation any clearer. At the time of its introduction, I was very vocal about the fact that the system would not work and was far too confusing. Fast-forward two weeks and with England heading back into full lockdown, it looks like the Government finally agrees. The devolved nations took drastic action to reduce their spiralling case rates by introducing lockdowns. Meanwhile, we were made to wait around for new announcements on which city would be placed into a new tier.

The lockdown comes too late again and comes with too little support once again. If there’s one thing this crisis proves, it’s that we must reject the false dichotomy between saving lives and protecting the economy and insist on putting public health at the forefront of our response. That means insisting on help for all who need it.