This past month on Parliament and in the constituency has been overshadowed by the horrific Hamas terror attacks in Israel which I utterly condemn.
It is appalling that there has been a large rise in antisemitic hate crime. I have been keeping in touch with the police on this and yesterday evening joined a call with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan police, Sir Mark Rowley, to urge him to take a tough line on antisemitic activity, including at protests. I have visited a number of shuls and other Jewish community meetings to show my solidarity with the community and express my support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
I was with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak when he visited a Jewish school in my constituency and had a further chance to discuss these matters with him when he invited representatives of Conservative Friends of Israel to 10 Downing Street. I have spoken on the conflict several times in Parliament. I also had the opportunity to meet relatives of people killed or kidnapped by Hamas. It was both moving and distressing to hear what they had to say. I am urging the UK Government to continue to support Israel and do all they can to help the Israeli Government get the hostages home, as well as increasing aid to civilians in Gaza.
Turning back to more local issues, my campaign to protect our suburban environment from overdevelopment has continued with opposition to the latest plans for Victoria Quarter and the fields at Whalebones. Please click on the links to the articles at the end of this email to have your say on these proposals. I’m urging constituents to object to both of these developments.
I made two speeches in Parliament this month on the importance of reforming the planning system to give local communities greater control over what is built in their neighbourhood, as well as making these points directly to the Minister for Housing, Rachel MacClean, in a meeting she held with MPs. I also attended a protest organised by residents fighting against plans to redevelop the Spires and build six storey blocks of flats in Barnet town centre.
Other activities this month have included:
- Presenting a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister to my constituent, Kitty Nabarro, for her inspirational work on raising awareness and understanding of mental health disorders in children through her Nip in the Bud charity.
- Meeting the Barnet Enfield and Haringey NHS Mental Health Trust to discuss support for constituents suffering from mental health conditions.
- Inviting a member of staff, Kate James, from Barnet and Southgate College to Downing Street for a reception honouring people working in the skills and apprenticeships sector.
- Encouraging people to raise money for Breast Cancer Now through their “Wear It Pink” campaign.
- Meeting veterans of the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott as part of events in Parliament to mark Black History Month. This protest took place after a bus company in Bristol refused to employ people from BAME backgrounds. Not only did this successful campaign lead to the bus company removing its racist approach to recruitment, it also helped pave the way for legislation outlawing race discrimination.
- Taking part in an event in Parliament to mark the 76th anniversary of the accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to India and also raising a question in Parliament about attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan.
- Meeting a range of groups, businesses and campaigning organisations at the Conservative Party conference including: the Board of Deputies, the British Tamil Conservatives, Conservative Friends of Israel, Conservative Friends of Cyprus, Conservative Friends of India, Conservative Friends of the NHS, Conservative Friends of Small Business, Animals Matter, Cats Protection, WWF, the British Heart Foundation, the Institute for Public Policy Research, Marie Curie, Dementia UK, the Alzheimer’s Society, Barclays, Lloyd’s, Animals Matter, Cancer Research, the Campaign for Protection of Rural England, the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation and the Institute of Engineering and Technology.
Lastly I took part in the East Barnet Royal British Legion procession and church service to launch this year’s Poppy Appeal. Please support this appeal which raises vital funds to support veterans of our armed forces and their families.
Further information on my campaigns and activities is available in the links below to articles on my website. Please forward this email to anyone you think would be interested to read it or might like to join this mailing list.
All the best
Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers
Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet
Sunak visits Jewish school in Barnet
Rishi Sunak recently visited a Jewish school in Barnet to express his support and solidarity with the Jewish community, following the appalling Hamas terror attacks in southern Israel. Local MP, Theresa Villiers, joined Mr Sunak for the visit to the school which is located in her constituency. Read more….
Condemnation of Hamas terror attacks
Barnet MP, Theresa Villiers, has condemned in the strongest terms the horrific attacks by Hamas and expressed her support for the right of Israel to defend its citizens. Read more….
Have your say on Victoria Quarter development in New Barnet
Theresa Villiers is opposing the latest plans for development at the Victoria Quarter on the old gas works site in New Barnet, and she is urging her constituents to do the same. Commenting on the plans brought forward by the developer Fairview Homes, Ms Villiers said: “I’ve been working with residents for over 15 years to try to secure the right outcome for the old gas works site.” Read more….
Villiers keeps up fight to save green fields at Whalebones
Theresa Villiers has stepped up her eight year campaign to conserve the agricultural fields at Whalebones in High Barnet. These fields were owned by the noted local landscape artist, the late Gwyneth Cowing, and have formed part of her estate for many years. Read more….
Villiers warns of threat to green belt in Barnet
In recognition of her track record on defending the green belt, Theresa Villiers MP
was asked to write the following article for the Daily Express, published in the
paper today: “For over 70 years, communities around England have been shielded
by green belt rules which prevent residential development on open spaces at the
edges of towns and cities. All that is under threat” Read more....
Foreign Secretary attends Conservatives for Cyprus conference event
UK Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, attended the annual Conservative Friends of Cyprus reception, hosted by Theresa Villiers at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. In his speech to the gathering, Mr Cleverly reiterated the commitment of the UK Government to resolve the longstanding issue in Cyprus. Read more….
How to contact Theresa
The best way to get help from Theresa is to email her on [email protected], ring her constituency office on 020 8449 7345, or write to her at 163 High Street, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5SU.
Theresa’s next diarised surgery takes place on Saturday 4th November at her constituency office at 163 High Street. Constituents wishing to see Theresa or her staff will need to make an appointment in advance. You will NOT be seen if you turn up without a pre-booked appointment. Bookings for face-to-face meetings or Zoom calls can be made using the contact details set out in the preceding paragraph.
