Richard Burden

Former Member of Parliament for Birmingham Northfield

Welcome to my website and blog.

I created it when I was Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield between 1992 and 2019, and most of the posts on here date from that period. A summary of my Parliamentary career can be found here. You can also read a bit more about who I am and what makes me tick here.

I have continued to blog from time to time since leaving Parliament. My posts below also contain links to articles I have written and which have been published elsewhere, together with posts imported from my own Facebook page.

This front page of my website contains the text (only) of my recent tweets and retweets on X and introductory extracts from my blog posts in date order. To view posts on a specific subject, from both during and after my time in Parliament, please click one of the buttons below.

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These are the main subjects on which I’ve written. Click here to view the full list of categories.

Click on ‘Contact’ below for links to my social media and LinkedIn profile.

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Recent tweets

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Richard Burden Follow

Former Labour MP/Shadow Minister. Chair @HWBrum @HealthwatchSol @RemSrebWestMids. @BalfourProject; @LFPME; @BirminghamCAB;@The_IMI. Ex @MedicalAidPal Own views

RichardBurden27
richardburden27 Richard Burden @richardburden27 ·
18 Apr

If this is true, it would be the most disgraceful example yet of world leaders apparently believing that Palestinian lives don’t count as much as those of other humans..

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Retweet on Twitter Richard Burden Retweeted
medicalaidpal Medical Aid for Palestinians @medicalaidpal ·
17 Apr

Israeli military and settler violence is soaring in the West Bank.

This weekend, two Palestinians were killed and 45+ injured.

Settlers set fire to homes and vehicles, and attacked ambulances.

We’ve released pre-positioned emergency supplies to help treat the injured. (1/4)

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richardburden27 Richard Burden @richardburden27 ·
17 Apr

The Emergency Department at Shifa Hospital had recently been refurbished when I visited last summer – although Israel’s blockade was still depriving it of essential equipment. Now look at it. Utter devastation and a war crime. #CeasefireNOW

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Retweet on Twitter Richard Burden Retweeted
medicalaidpal Medical Aid for Palestinians @medicalaidpal ·
16 Apr

More healthcare workers have been killed during Israel’s military bombardment in #Gaza over the last six months, than were killed in all conflicts globally in 2021 and 2022 combined.

Healthcare workers are #NotATarget

🔴 Share to show your support for Gaza’s healthcare workers.

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Latest posts

Brexit Update – May/June 2019

In Brexit, News
3 June 2019
2 minute read
30 views
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Since I published my last Brexit update, the results of local Council and European elections should give all parties pause for thought. Both sets of elections saw voters express frustration at the continuing uncertainty over where we are going as a country in relation to Brexit. Last Tuesday, the online magazine LabourList, published this article from me in which I set out some of the lessons I...

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BREXIT UPDATE – LOOKING BEYOND DEADLOCK

In Brexit, National issues, News
18 April 2019
9 minute read
21 views
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I write this blog just a few days after the Article 50 timetable governing Britain’s exit from the EU has been extended until 31st October to give more time to break the deadlock in Parliament about how to go forward. As with all things Brexit-related the reaction has been mixed, to say the least. What people on all sides of the argument share however, is a huge sense of frustration that that...

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Closure Threat to GKN Aerospace Kings Norton

In Birmingham, Local, National issues, News, Northfield area, West Midlands
5 April 2019
3 minute read
51 views
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My press release today in response to announcement on future of the GKN Aerospace factory in Kings Norton:   CLOSURE OF GKN AEROSPACE KINGS NORTON A BREACH OF FAITH SAYS MP Richard Burden MP has described as a “breach of faith” the announcement by GKN Aerospace that its Kings Norton factory in his constituency is to close with the loss of over 170 jobs. The factory produces high performance...

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March Newsletter Brexit Update

In Brexit
29 March 2019
3 minute read
17 views
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You may have already seen that I recently sent out my latest Brexit update covering recent developments in Parliament, which you can read here. Since then, we have had another tumultuous week with a lot going on in and around Parliament. On Monday, I spoke in the debate in the Commons about Brexit, and you can watch my speech here or read it here. I highlighted my concerns about a no deal Brexit...

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STATEMENT ON UK GOVT VOTES AT HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

In Middle East, World
22 March 2019
2 minute read
32 views
S

Any viable peace deal for Israel and Palestine needs to be based on respect for international law and human rights. Today’s decision by the UK Government to vote against all but one resolution on Israel-Palestine at the UN Human Rights Council is an unwelcome step away from that rights-focused peace. In one day, the Government has reversed years of policy on the self-determination and human...

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The UK government must vote to investigate Israeli actions in Gaza

In Middle East
21 March 2019
2 minute read
51 views
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If the UK gives licence to violate international law with impunity, how does that reflect our promotion of human rights? By Lisa Nandy and Richard Burden First published in the New Statesman, March 21, 2019 Last year the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) voted to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate killings on the Gaza border. The UK government, regrettably, abstained on that...

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BREXIT UPDATE – MARCH 2019

In Brexit, National issues, News
20 March 2019
5 minute read
25 views
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Brexit continues to dominate Parliament.  Regardless of your views on it, if you are confused by what is going on and frustrated with the seemingly unending Parliamentary wrangles, you are not alone. Many of us inside Parliament share those frustrations. In this update, therefore, I will try to explain the past week’s developments in as plain language as I can. Last Week’s events On Tuesday 12th...

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Recent Posts

Richard Burden

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I was Labour Member of Parliament for Birmingham Northfield between 1992 and 2019 and a former Shadow Transport Minister. I now chair Healthwatch in Birmingham and Solihull, and the West Midlands Board of Remembering Srebrenica. I also work as a public affairs consultant. I am an effective community advocate and stakeholder alliance builder with a passion for human rights. I am a trustee of the Balfour Project charity and of Citizens Advice Birmingham, and a former Chair of Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Get in touch

You can reach me by email at richard@richardburden.com or use the form on the Contact page to send me a message.