This week MPs who are not vulnerable or shielding have returned to work in Parliament. It is a real pleasure to be back, even though the place feels rather like a ghost town, with most of the staff still working remotely. When the time came to vote, suddenly the place sprang to life, with hundred of MPs emerging from their offices and entering the lengthy voting queues that I am sure many of you will have seen photos of.
Of course, it still feels far from normal – all my meetings are now over Zoom or Skype and only a small number of MPs are allowed in the Chamber at any one time, meaning you have to ballot to speak in a debate or ask a question. I have also been bringing in my own sandwiches as most of the catering has not yet opened-up!
I was glad to be able to ask two questions in the Commons. The first was on the impact of Covid-19 on the aviation industry, particularly referencing my concerns about British Airways and Southampton Airport. Both employ lots of people in the Meon Valley and provide vital transport links for the area, so I am glad this matter is coming up in Parliament and I hope it gets the attention it deserves. You can read my question on Hansard here.
The second was about the recent Government report on the impact of Covid-19 on the Black or Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) community. The report makes for sobering reading, but it is a good first step for tackling health inequalities. I suggested that it does not go far enough and that we need a more wholistic look at the factors affecting these communities and I was pleased to hear that the minister agreed. You can read the question and answer here.
This is all wrapped up with the sad backdrop of what is happening in the USA and the protests that it has sparked across the world. The footage of George Floyd’s appalling death was shocking to watch and I can completely understand why the sense of injustice has resonated all over the world. My thoughts are with his family, friends and community. We have a way to go here, too, in tackling racism and I will be backing the Government in these efforts.
I fully support the right to peaceful protest – some of the violence from both some police and some protesters in America has been deeply distressing to see. I am glad we have mostly avoided that here, though I am concerned about the lack of social distancing in some of the photos and very disappointed to see that a small minority of protesters vandalised the Cenotaph and shouted abuse at the police. These are the people who ultimately keep us all safe.
To end on a happier note, I am pleased that numbers of new Covid-19 cases continue to fall and that, as a result, we have been able to continue to ease lockdown measures. It is great to see more restaurants and cafés opening for takeaways, and we should soon see more shops opening, too. So long as these places can put precautions in place to protect their staff and customers, I am pleased to see them coming back to life. It is finally beginning to feel like we are emerging from a very difficult chapter.