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Clive Lewis MP

@labourlewis • 134,254 subscribers

MP for Norwich South “The ultimate hidden truth of the world is that it is something we make and could just as easily make differently” - David Graeber

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I've just introduced my Water Bill to Parliament, which would overhaul an obviously failing system. It's being debated on Friday 28 March. We've got between now and then to build the biggest campaign we can.

I've just introduced my Water Bill to Parliament, which would overhaul an obviously failing system. It's being debated on Friday 28 March. We've got between now and then to build the biggest campaign we can.

154,175 görüntüleme

My government has a choice: stand with private equity firms raking in billions from our water—or stand with ordinary people and bring it back into public hands. 82% of Brits want public water. My Water Bill means to public ownership back on the table to tackle the sewage crisis, giving people a say through Citizens’ Assemblies. In 2 days, it’s being debated. Will your MP show up?

My government has a choice: stand with private equity firms raking in billions from our water—or stand with ordinary people and bring it back into public hands. 82% of Brits want public water. My Water Bill means to public ownership back on the table to tackle the sewage crisis, giving people a say through Citizens’ Assemblies. In 2 days, it’s being debated. Will your MP show up?

31,231 görüntüleme

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When the ICJ has accused the Israeli state of genocide, it’s clear that MPs of all parties should be condemn them. Failing to do so undermines our ability to hold up international law. Andy Burnham’s apology yesterday was a start. But words need to be backed up with decisive action – starting with a total ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements.

When the ICJ has accused the Israeli state of genocide, it’s clear that MPs of all parties should be condemn them. Failing to do so undermines our ability to hold up international law. Andy Burnham’s apology yesterday was a start. But words need to be backed up with decisive action – starting with a total ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements.

224,188 görüntüleme • 15 gün önce

To be sworn in as an MP, you have to make an oath to the King. This is what I decided to say, in protest.

To be sworn in as an MP, you have to make an oath to the King. This is what I decided to say, in protest.

9,248,079 görüntüleme • 2 yıl önce

After omitting to swear allegiance to King Charles' “heirs and successors” last week, I've had to take the oath again in order to sit in the House of Commons. The majority of the public are committed to democracy, and so I hope one day MPs can swear an oath based on those values.

After omitting to swear allegiance to King Charles' “heirs and successors” last week, I've had to take the oath again in order to sit in the House of Commons. The majority of the public are committed to democracy, and so I hope one day MPs can swear an oath based on those values.

3,228,793 görüntüleme • 2 yıl önce

Last night, I spoke in the debate on the government’s proposed new immigration and asylum legislation. What has become clear is that a significant number of people in this country – around 50 to 60 per cent, according to polling – believe immigration and asylum policy is in need of reform. That includes a more robust approach to people-smuggling gangs, faster processing of asylum claims, quicker removal of those whose claims fail and a reduction in the use of asylum hotels. Some of that concern is rooted in fact. Case backlogs, rising boat crossings and the sheer scale of numbers are real, and they play their part. This is legitimate criticism of a system that is failing everyone: those who rightfully seek to be here, those seeking sanctuary, and those who live here and want a democratic say over the scale and pace of immigration. That isn’t racism. That’s giving people a real say over their own community. But other forces have played their part too. Structural racism, dog-whistle politics, media sensationalism and the mainstreaming of racist tropes by the main political parties are all bound up in the complex equation that has brought us here. Responsible progressives must confront this reality as humanely and responsibly as possible. Failure to act will simply drive more people into the arms of extremists. So what should reform look like? An immigration system that is responsive, democratic and flexible: alive to the needs of the economy, balancing genuine labour shortages sector by sector with re-skilling and training programmes for those already here, and matched by investment in public services and housing. Alongside it, an asylum system that is fair, provides safe routes, fosters integration and sees us take our fair share of the world’s dispossessed. Both must be rooted in clear but strict rules and, critically, in public support. Anything else simply isn’t sustainable. Judged against that standard, the government’s new legislation is neither humane, effective nor responsible. Aside from one or two proposals, the bill is a smorgasbord of political signalling to a reactionary gallery that will never be sated, and of punitive measures that will do little to reduce case backlogs, cut the numbers in hotel accommodation or speed up integration. It also opens the door to the hard right on human rights. They have long sought, for a variety of reasons, to undermine these universal protections. Indeed, the Tories saw the opportunity a Labour government presented with this bill. Not content with it watering down human rights protections for all of us, they attempted to go further and remove us from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) altogether. That is not a door we should be opening in an attempt to placate the hard right. Human rights legislation was forged in the aftermath of the Holocaust, of the concentration camps, of the horrors of fascism. It has protected hundreds of millions of people across the world. Yet the Tories, Reform and many others across Parliament glibly talk of throwing it away. Labour should not be following them down this path. The reason they are called “human” rights is that being human is the universal condition. The day we forget that is the day we open a dark chapter in our country’s history. For this reason and others, I voted against the bill at second reading. It is the last gasp of a government that has lost moral authority on this issue for millions of people. With new leadership, I hope we can finally grasp this issue in a practical, effective and humane way: striking a balance between protection and enforcement, and rebuilding trust with the majority of voters on secure borders.

Last night, I spoke in the debate on the government’s proposed new immigration and asylum legislation. What has become clear is that a significant number of people in this country – around 50 to 60 per cent, according to polling – believe immigration and asylum policy is in need of reform. That includes a more robust approach to people-smuggling gangs, faster processing of asylum claims, quicker removal of those whose claims fail and a reduction in the use of asylum hotels. Some of that concern is rooted in fact. Case backlogs, rising boat crossings and the sheer scale of numbers are real, and they play their part. This is legitimate criticism of a system that is failing everyone: those who rightfully seek to be here, those seeking sanctuary, and those who live here and want a democratic say over the scale and pace of immigration. That isn’t racism. That’s giving people a real say over their own community. But other forces have played their part too. Structural racism, dog-whistle politics, media sensationalism and the mainstreaming of racist tropes by the main political parties are all bound up in the complex equation that has brought us here. Responsible progressives must confront this reality as humanely and responsibly as possible. Failure to act will simply drive more people into the arms of extremists. So what should reform look like? An immigration system that is responsive, democratic and flexible: alive to the needs of the economy, balancing genuine labour shortages sector by sector with re-skilling and training programmes for those already here, and matched by investment in public services and housing. Alongside it, an asylum system that is fair, provides safe routes, fosters integration and sees us take our fair share of the world’s dispossessed. Both must be rooted in clear but strict rules and, critically, in public support. Anything else simply isn’t sustainable. Judged against that standard, the government’s new legislation is neither humane, effective nor responsible. Aside from one or two proposals, the bill is a smorgasbord of political signalling to a reactionary gallery that will never be sated, and of punitive measures that will do little to reduce case backlogs, cut the numbers in hotel accommodation or speed up integration. It also opens the door to the hard right on human rights. They have long sought, for a variety of reasons, to undermine these universal protections. Indeed, the Tories saw the opportunity a Labour government presented with this bill. Not content with it watering down human rights protections for all of us, they attempted to go further and remove us from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) altogether. That is not a door we should be opening in an attempt to placate the hard right. Human rights legislation was forged in the aftermath of the Holocaust, of the concentration camps, of the horrors of fascism. It has protected hundreds of millions of people across the world. Yet the Tories, Reform and many others across Parliament glibly talk of throwing it away. Labour should not be following them down this path. The reason they are called “human” rights is that being human is the universal condition. The day we forget that is the day we open a dark chapter in our country’s history. For this reason and others, I voted against the bill at second reading. It is the last gasp of a government that has lost moral authority on this issue for millions of people. With new leadership, I hope we can finally grasp this issue in a practical, effective and humane way: striking a balance between protection and enforcement, and rebuilding trust with the majority of voters on secure borders.

39,072 görüntüleme • 11 gün önce

The many takes flying around about John Healey, resignation gossip and national security spending miss a fundamental point. In Finland, where people have a strong social safety net and a real sense of shared national purpose, around 80% say they would be prepared to defend their country. In the UK, that figure is closer to 30%. That should tell us something. Until we change the financial architecture of our economy and bring the essentials of life out of the grip of corporate extraction and into public ownership, we will always be told to choose between bombs and butter. But the reality is we need both. Modern hybrid warfare means every public service is part of our national resilience. Energy, water, housing, health, transport, food security and social care are not separate from defence. They are defence. If we want people to defend the country, we have to build a country people believe is worth defending. A thriving state. A fair economy. A society where everyone feels they have a stake. I spoke about this on Peston on Monday night.

The many takes flying around about John Healey, resignation gossip and national security spending miss a fundamental point. In Finland, where people have a strong social safety net and a real sense of shared national purpose, around 80% say they would be prepared to defend their country. In the UK, that figure is closer to 30%. That should tell us something. Until we change the financial architecture of our economy and bring the essentials of life out of the grip of corporate extraction and into public ownership, we will always be told to choose between bombs and butter. But the reality is we need both. Modern hybrid warfare means every public service is part of our national resilience. Energy, water, housing, health, transport, food security and social care are not separate from defence. They are defence. If we want people to defend the country, we have to build a country people believe is worth defending. A thriving state. A fair economy. A society where everyone feels they have a stake. I spoke about this on Peston on Monday night.

132,202 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce

This week I've been called a “traitor” and “disgrace”, just for wanting to swear an oath to my constituents and democracy. I've been forced to swear allegiance to the Monarch & his successors. The confected outrage is covering up a much bigger issue. Here's what I think that is.

This week I've been called a “traitor” and “disgrace”, just for wanting to swear an oath to my constituents and democracy. I've been forced to swear allegiance to the Monarch & his successors. The confected outrage is covering up a much bigger issue. Here's what I think that is.

1,136,481 görüntüleme • 2 yıl önce

Don't care about the coronation? Here's why you should. 👇🏾

Don't care about the coronation? Here's why you should. 👇🏾

1,707,473 görüntüleme • 3 yıl önce

I'm going to an event this Sunday to join many others who say refugees and migrants are welcome in Norwich and to oppose a far-right anti-migrant demo. Details are below. Watch the video to learn more. 12:00 Sunday 8 December Assemble in front of the Brook Hotel, Bowthorpe, Norwich

I'm going to an event this Sunday to join many others who say refugees and migrants are welcome in Norwich and to oppose a far-right anti-migrant demo. Details are below. Watch the video to learn more. 12:00 Sunday 8 December Assemble in front of the Brook Hotel, Bowthorpe, Norwich

746,864 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce

We can turn the tide against the far-right. Here's how.

We can turn the tide against the far-right. Here's how.

1,000,778 görüntüleme • 2 yıl önce

Some children in Norwich are so hungry they're eating sand at school. The Tory tax cut will do nothing for them and their families. Here’s why.

Some children in Norwich are so hungry they're eating sand at school. The Tory tax cut will do nothing for them and their families. Here’s why.

726,815 görüntüleme • 2 yıl önce

Some people are having a meltdown about my protest before having to swear an oath to the King. Here's my response.

Some people are having a meltdown about my protest before having to swear an oath to the King. Here's my response.

612,766 görüntüleme • 2 yıl önce

Today I raised an urgent question in parliament about the systemic failures in the water sector. The constants disasters of privatised water are not the symptoms of market failure. This is the market working as designed: profits out, sewage in, cost of living up, security of supply, decimated. You can no more regulate privatised water companies than you can the tide. So I asked the Minister for Water: how many more failures, how many more inquiries, how many more deaths - before the Government accepts these problems are systemic – and gives the public the option of taking their water back?

Today I raised an urgent question in parliament about the systemic failures in the water sector. The constants disasters of privatised water are not the symptoms of market failure. This is the market working as designed: profits out, sewage in, cost of living up, security of supply, decimated. You can no more regulate privatised water companies than you can the tide. So I asked the Minister for Water: how many more failures, how many more inquiries, how many more deaths - before the Government accepts these problems are systemic – and gives the public the option of taking their water back?

45,339 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce

Government deals with Palantir stink, and stank long before the Peter Mandelson scandal. The government must pivot away from companies like Palantir - a company that has widespread allegations against it about human rights abuses, which is closely connected to Trump, and is run by an oligarch who despises democracy.

Government deals with Palantir stink, and stank long before the Peter Mandelson scandal. The government must pivot away from companies like Palantir - a company that has widespread allegations against it about human rights abuses, which is closely connected to Trump, and is run by an oligarch who despises democracy.

127,504 görüntüleme • 5 ay önce

"There are a small group of extremists on the far-right who want to see trans people victimised. They are using this as a wedge issue to channel hate. And frankly, the vast majority of people in this country don't want that. [What happens next must be] about protecting the rights of all human beings to live their lives as they see fit, without discrimination and fear for their existence and their identity." Watch to find out more about my reaction on today's BBC Politics Live to the recent supreme court ruling on gender identity.

"There are a small group of extremists on the far-right who want to see trans people victimised. They are using this as a wedge issue to channel hate. And frankly, the vast majority of people in this country don't want that. [What happens next must be] about protecting the rights of all human beings to live their lives as they see fit, without discrimination and fear for their existence and their identity." Watch to find out more about my reaction on today's BBC Politics Live to the recent supreme court ruling on gender identity.

302,247 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce

The Duke of Westminster paid 6% tax on his £9,000,000,000 inherited wealth. Soon, 1 in 4 teachers will pay a 40% tax rate on their income. Those who who make the country’s wheels turn should not face a higher tax burden than those who earn their income from wealth.

The Duke of Westminster paid 6% tax on his £9,000,000,000 inherited wealth. Soon, 1 in 4 teachers will pay a 40% tax rate on their income. Those who who make the country’s wheels turn should not face a higher tax burden than those who earn their income from wealth.

619,332 görüntüleme • 3 yıl önce

Tomorrow your water bill will sky-rocket with an above-inflation hike. This is because the regulator is allowing extractive private companies to rinse the public. In Parliament I've called for an end to the failed experiment of water privatisation.

Tomorrow your water bill will sky-rocket with an above-inflation hike. This is because the regulator is allowing extractive private companies to rinse the public. In Parliament I've called for an end to the failed experiment of water privatisation.

279,366 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce

My government is trying to do two incompatible things simultaneously. On the one hand, it’s trying to fix our broken welfare system while saving money. This is not possible, and I told the minister in parliament today that her £5billion cut to disability support would increase hardship in my constituency and is contrary to the values of my party. Ultimately, this Labour government is facing hard limits in doing what is right for our class while appeasing the interests of big business and the wealthy. They are incompatible aims and my party must choose in whose interests we are governing.

My government is trying to do two incompatible things simultaneously. On the one hand, it’s trying to fix our broken welfare system while saving money. This is not possible, and I told the minister in parliament today that her £5billion cut to disability support would increase hardship in my constituency and is contrary to the values of my party. Ultimately, this Labour government is facing hard limits in doing what is right for our class while appeasing the interests of big business and the wealthy. They are incompatible aims and my party must choose in whose interests we are governing.

229,675 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce

A person who came to the UK in search of sanctuary has died aboard the Bibby Stockholm barge. Suella Braverman refused to grant me and other MPs access to the Bibby Stockholm. Our asylum system must be based on compassion, not cruelty.

A person who came to the UK in search of sanctuary has died aboard the Bibby Stockholm barge. Suella Braverman refused to grant me and other MPs access to the Bibby Stockholm. Our asylum system must be based on compassion, not cruelty.

397,225 görüntüleme • 2 yıl önce

The anti-racism protests across the UK have been a wonderful reaffirmation of our collective humanity. But they will not, on their own, defeat racism and fascism. That requires political leadership. It also means an end to the mainstreaming of racist language and ideas.

The anti-racism protests across the UK have been a wonderful reaffirmation of our collective humanity. But they will not, on their own, defeat racism and fascism. That requires political leadership. It also means an end to the mainstreaming of racist language and ideas.

275,301 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce

When we've lost control of the basics of life - water, housing, energy - it's clear the system is not working. Governments are being forced to spend more and more money tackling the day-to-day failings of this failed economic model. The solution? More investment and public control over those basics of life. I spoke about this on Peston last night.

When we've lost control of the basics of life - water, housing, energy - it's clear the system is not working. Governments are being forced to spend more and more money tackling the day-to-day failings of this failed economic model. The solution? More investment and public control over those basics of life. I spoke about this on Peston last night.

25,192 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce