Campaigns

Both in Luton and in Parliament, I work hard to make change for the better. Whether that's through tackling anti-social behaviour, supporting schools and local businesses, leading inquiries on misogyny and racism, or changing the law to introduce bans on non-consensual intimate image abuse and time off for people who miscarry, I want to make people's lives better. Here is a selection of my recent campaigns.

Fireworks Bill

Antisocial fireworks are a plague on too many people's lives, both in Luton North and across the whole country. Our current licensing regime is overly permissive and impossible to enforce, with people being able to buy industrial-strength fireworks that can cause misery to pets, veterans, or anyone trying to get a good night's sleep.

My Fireworks Bill was introduced to Parliament in January, and aimed to restrict the noise level and potency of fireworks on public sale. Though the Bill did not have the time to progress to a vote, I am continuing to work with advocacy charities and campaign groups, alongside the government, to get this crucial change through.

Speeding & Parking

Antisocial driving is a big issue in Luton North, and I know the problems it causes for road safety and noise levels.

I have been working with the council and Bedfordshire Police, and petitioned for speed surveys, one of which was recently carried out on Quantock Rise in Bramingham. I will keep chasing to ensure that proper traffic calming measures are put in place on the roads that need it, and for better enforcement of parking violations, especially around school pick up and drop off.

International Human Rights

Luton is one of the most generous towns in the UK - and cares deeply about the plight of persecuted peoples in the UK and across the world. This is a concern I share.

From Palestine and Kashmir to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Yemen and Syria, we live in an unstable world where innocent civilians often face untold suffering. In my role as co-Chair of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, I work on promoting human rights, and urging the government to take meaningful action through diplomacy to protect civilians.

Miscarriage Bereavement Leave

Long before I became an MP, I have campaigned for Miscarriage to be recognised as a bereavement in employment law, allowing women and their partners time off work to grieve and process.

Previously, those who miscarry had to take sick leave if they wanted time off, furthering negative stigma around miscarriage as an 'illness' and making women feel like there is something wrong with their bodies, as well as potentially leading to HR consequences.

I lead a Women and Equalities Committee inquiry into Miscarriage Bereavement leave, and am delighted that the government has accepted the principle and will introduce this crucial change as part of Labour's landmark improvement to worker's rights.

Lifts for Leagrave

Leagrave Station is used for hundreds of thousands of journeys every year as a major commuter hub. However, two of the platforms are inaccessible to anyone in a wheelchair, with heavy luggage, a pushchair or with any other accessibility needs. This is unacceptable.

I have been campaigning for lifts to be installed at Leagrave since I was first elected, and have made continued representations both to the previous and current Rail Ministers. We have made some progress, with a feasibility study complete and Network Rail actively exploring options, but progress has been too slow, and I will keep pushing to ensure we get the accessible station we need.

Jobs & Growth

Luton is perfectly placed to benefit from the government's new Oxford-Cambridge growth arc, with our proximity to London and transport connections making Luton an attractive investment. We need more high-quality jobs, and I am working hard on ensuring we get more jobs for our skilled workforce.