On the 17th of December 2024 Barry went on Politics Live to discuss the threat that China poses to the UK, how we can build and NHS fit for the future and the importance of a progressive tax system.
Making sure Labour's housebuilding targets protect nature
On the 12th of December 2024 Barry asked Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Mathew Pennycook, what plans the Government have to protect our native wildlife as we launch our housing targets.
Barry made specific mention of Swift bricks which are vital in allowing nesting birds, suhc as swifts, a place to shelter.
Violence targeted against the Hindu Community in Bangladesh
On the 2nd of December 2024 Barry asked an Urgent Question to the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, about violence targeted against the Hindu Community in Bangladesh.
Why I voted against the Assisted Dying Bill
On Friday the 29th of November 2024, Barry voted against Kim Leadbitter’s Bill on Assisted Dying. The next day, he went BBC News to explain why.
Getting people back to work: The focus isno longer on benefits and sanctions and compliance
On the 26th of November 2024 Barry appeared on BBC Newsnight to discuss possible private school advantages in exams, electric car manufacturing and the Government’s plan to get people back to work.
This discussion came just a week after Barry visited a jobcentre in Wembley. Where he saw firsthand how “The focus was no longer on benefits and sanctions and compliance - the focus was now 'what’s stopping you get there'“.
The Government are right to increase inheritance tax on Farmers
On the 19th of Novbember Barry outline why the Government are right to introduce inheritance tax on farmers.
He pointed out that someone who owns a flat in Wembley, with total assets of £450,000 would pay the same in inheritance tax that a farmer with £3 million in assets would pay.
Barry opens a new post office in Wembley
Wembley Post Office has re-opened at a new location - 474 High Road, Wembley, HA9 7AY, which has restored service for the residents, businesses and visitors to Wembley. Barry attended the opening on the 31st of October 2024.
Barry said: “It’s great to have Wembley Post Office back in the high street. I really want to congratulate Rikesh Patel and Riman Vekariya for their big investment into their convenience store and Post Office, which looks great.
It’s very conveniently located for residents, businesses and those going to sports or music events at Wembley and the extended opening hours are very handy for people living busy lives or those who work shifts.”
Robert Jenrick targeting people on benefits is "sick"
On the 16 October Barry went on Politics Live where he made clear that, Cosnervative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick made him feel “sick”, from his targetting disabeld people, people with mental health problems and the unemployed.
The UK still does not recognise the State of Palestine - this is incompatible with international law
On the 10th of October 2024 Barry made a speech in Westminster Hall where he argued that the UK’s position on Palestine is “incompatible with international law”.
Barry affirmed the importance of the UK in living up to its self-proclaimed reputation in following international law. He called on the government to recognise the state of Palestine and to do all it can to ensure it does not condone or support the “illegal” occupations in Gaza and the West Bank.
The decision made by the International Court of Justice on the 24th of July 2024 carries “immense weight” and it must be respected - Barry Gardiner.
The speech that Barry made to Parliament had to be shortened due to time restraints. You can read the full version of the speech here:
A week from today I will go to share a meal with my friends. I am hoping it won’t rain. Because we’ll be eating outside under a makeshift shelter of three walls with only branches for a roof. They always decorate it beautifully with gourds and fruits, but I will be taking my warmest coat with me because, it is a Sukkah. And a sukkah has to be open to the elements.
Importantly it should have a view of the stars. In Jewish culture it is partly a harvest festival, but part of it is a festival of Hope. It is part of a Jewish culture that I have always admired. Indeed, at one time I even spent a year studying Hebrew. (I was very bad at it.) But I say this because I want to draw a very clear distinction – between the richness of Jewish culture which I admire; and the paucity of Israeli government policy which I abhor.
It is an important distinction, but it is one which is all too often lost in our contemporary political debate. As politicians, we often operate within the bounds of pragmatism – for which too often we mean what we think is publicly acceptable to our voters. Sometimes though, we make appeal to a wider authority. We talk of the International Rules Based System by which we mean the World Trade Organisation or The United Nations. But often we only do so when it suits our position and when it does not, we ignore it.
That is why I believe it is crucial that we grasp the legal implications of the decision promulgated on the 19 July this year by the International Court of Justice. It settled the law in its advisory opinion on the legality of Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. This opinion came from a request by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2022.
I believe the opinion carries immense weight. It is the interpretation of our world’s highest court of the law as it relates to the occupation of Palestine. Before I begin my analysis of the judgement, let me say in this week when we have been remembering the appalling events of October 7th that I condemn all unlawful killing. It makes no difference who commits it or what their motivation was.
International humanitarian law stands. Terrorism is terrorism and a war crime is a war crime regardless. Now to the judgement. In simple terms, the Court was asked to assess the legal consequences of actions taken by Israel over decades and how those actions impact the legal status of the occupation.
Additionally, the Court examined what legal obligations arise for other states and for the United Nations in response to this situation. The court ruled that the Occupied Palestinian Territory is to be considered a single territorial unit. This means that the failure to recognise Palestine as a state is out of step with settled international law. On September the 10th Palestine took its seat at the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
It is not yet a full member because that has been blocked by the United States, but it has the right to submit proposals and amendments. The government of the UK still does not recognise the Palestinian State. I believe that is now incompatible with international law.
The court ruled that settlements and outposts in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were unlawful. It does not matter that Israeli law considers settlements to be lawful. They are not; and they should be evacuated. The court ruled that Israel’s exploitation of natural resources in settled land was also unlawful. The Court ruled that Israel occupied Gaza. It ruled that it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It ruled that this occupation was unlawful. And that it must be brought to an end.
This also means that Israel must behave not as a warring nation state against another warring state, but as an occupying force with all the obligations that entails about its conduct, including ensuring that aid can get through to all who need it. The legal consequences of these findings for Israel are clear. The Court’s decision is clear. Israel ought to cease its unlawful activities. Halt all new settlement activity, and provide full reparation for the damage caused by its wrongful acts. This includes returning land, property, and assets seized since the occupation began in 1967 and allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their original places of residence.
But the implications of the judgement are not just for Israel. They impact other governments They impact our own. The Court made it clear that other states also have obligations. The Court emphasized that all states are required not to recognize the illegal situation created by Israel’s actions in the Occupied Territories.
This means that they should not engage in trade, investment, or diplomatic relations that would entrench Israel’s unlawful presence. This advisory opinion is a landmark in the legal and political struggle over the fate of the Palestinian people and the integrity of international law. It highlights the obligations of all states, including the United Kingdom, to ensure that the rule of law prevails.
We are all duty-bound to act, not only in the interests of justice and human rights but to uphold the very principles of international law. That much is the law! It is clear. It has been authoritatively stated by the court. What is not clear is whether governments will abide by it! You see the judgement of the court is only effective if a sanction is available.
The law can state. The court can Rule. But none of it brings about anything unless the power of enforcement lies behind it. In the UK we are fond of saying that we respect the International Court system and the International Rules Based Order.
My challenge to the minister is this: Show it!
Carbon Capture and Storage cannot be an excuse for more fossil fuels
On 7 October 2024 Barry made clear to Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, that whilst carbon capture and storage may “reduce the intensity of fossil fuels by up to 25%” it makes its electricity “much more expensive than from renewables”
Barry also cautioned the Minister against “swallowing too much of the hype around blue hydrogen”.