Last month, the Amnesty International Group in Bournville, South Birmingham, asked me to address them on my work as a member of the International Development Committee of the House of Commons. This article taken from what I said to the meeting. After 8 years on the International Development Select Committee (IDC), my appointment as Shadow Transport Minister means I have had to recently step down …
As the MP for Birmingham Northfield I welcome the development of a Cycle Charter for the West Midlands, which is open to public consultation. This response expresses support for the Charter’s key principles and goals, and proposes additional action to support greater cycling participation in the region – including through ambitious targets, local engagement and participation, better …
The City Council is considering the introduction of 20mph speed limits on the city’s roads to improve safety and reduce collisions. As their decision will affect everyone who lives, works, shops, visits or travels in the city, I welcome the opportunity to respond as the MP for Birmingham Northfield.
You may have read that the BBC have committed to a new vision for Birmingham, with a promise of a £23.5 million investment for our city. This is a major step forward in a long running campaign to boost the BBC’s presence in Birmingham and the Midlands more widely. Along with other Labour MPs, I have long been calling for a fair a share of BBC investment in our region. There is a huge gap …
I’m something of a petrol-head. I love driving and I used to do a bit of motor racing. But I’m a regular public transport user too, and in London I usually walk to and from work. Cycling? Yes, but not as often as I should. All these things make me a “road user” – well, apart from the racing. However, when I’m moving about I want to feel safe on the roads, like everyone else. But like a lot of …
Responding to the fifth cyclist death in nine days to happen in London, Labour’s Shadow Transport Minister Richard Burden MP said: “The news of another cyclist being killed on the road in London is a real tragedy. A lot of good work is already being done to promote cycling in the capital and to improve safety for cyclists, which makes the events of the last week even more tragic. It all …
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.