Paul Blomfield A strong voice for Sheffield Central
This week will be obviously be dominated by continuing discussions on the Government’s Withdrawal from the European Union (Article 50) Bill. Last week the House of Commons agreed to debate the Bill, by giving it a Second Reading. This week I’m at the heart of Labour’s attempts to change it before the final vote on Wednesday.
Labour has tabled a series of amendments, which aim to safeguard the UK from a destructive ‘hard Brexit’ and ensure Government accountability through the negotiations. On Wednesday I’ll be leading the debate for Labour on Government negotiating principles and the status of EU nationals. But before all of that, today I’m chairing a roundtable on Brexit and medical research with key stakeholders.
Although Brexit will take up most of my time this week other stuff is still going on. On Tuesday I’ll be challenging Health Ministers on GP funding, on Wednesday I’ll be at an All Party Parliamentary Group on Debt and Finance meeting with the Financial Conduct Authority about payday lenders and the high cost credit sector, and on Thursday I’ll be taking part in a debate on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
On Friday I’ll be back in Sheffield where I’ll be catching up with my staff team, meeting with representatives from the University and College Union, participating in a documentary being made by a Hallam University student, catching up with the Chair of Sheffield Business Improvement District, hearing from a local lawyer on the impact of Government changes to personal injury claims, and speaking to a constituent about the EU.
On Saturday I’ll be holding one of my regular advice surgeries before heading to Copeland to campaign for Labour’s Gillian Troughton in the by-election.