Last weekend I spoke at the annual Hong Kong Tiananmen Square commemoration in Reading.
It was an opportunity to remember those who lost their lives in the Massacre 36 years ago and we heard moving testimonies.
The Conservative Party has a strong history of supporting the people of Hong Kong.
In 2019 former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said that we support Hong Kongers “every inch of the way”.
In 2020 the Conservative Government launched a visa scheme to enable Hong Kong residents to come to the UK.
At the time the former Prime Minister said, “I am immensely proud that we have brought in this new route for Hong Kong BNOs to live, work and make their home in our country.
“In doing so we have honoured our profound ties of history and friendship with the people of Hong Kong, and we have stood up for freedom and autonomy – values both the UK and Hong Kong hold dear.”
I am deeply concerned by the ongoing crackdowns by the Beijing Government on basic freedoms and human rights in Hong Kong, particularly the continued imprisonment of the businessman and democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai, a British citizen, threats against Hong Kongers in the UK and sanctions against British Parliamentarians simply for speaking out.
In Wokingham Borough Conservative councillors are committed to supporting people from Hong Kong who have made the daunting decision to move halfway across the world and settle here. Under the previous Conservative administration of Wokingham Borough Council, a healthcare webinar in Cantonese was launched in 2021, designed to provide information on how to navigate local healthcare. This was a finalist for best digital initiative at the Public Health Awards 2023.
At a Council committee meeting I pushed the Council to ensure the Hong Kong Chinese community is consulted about services and that the Council engages with them as it does with other communities that make up our Borough. When speaking with residents from the Hong Kong community one of the topics that has come up is improved access to English Language education which I have also pressed for, this is key to enable all Hong Kongers to play a full part in the community and access council services.
I support democracy and self-determination for Hong Kong.
Sadly, around the world, democracy is often under threat. Here elections whether they be local or national can sometimes seem run of the mill, but it is important that we don’t take hard-won freedoms for granted.
P.S.
Residents continue to tell me they are concerned about the Government’s cuts to winter fuel allowance.
This is an unfair policy. I’ve been campaigning for a reversal of these cuts, including writing to Ministers and MPs, and bringing a motion to Council.
This affects pensioners on an income of more than £11,800, or a joint income of just over £18,000 for a couple.
That’s around half a full-time salary on the minimum wage.
Clearly this policy has affected some of the poorest and most vulnerable in our community.
So far, the Government has announced a partial U-turn but without any details on how many pensioners will have fuel payments reinstated or what the income threshold will be. I will be keeping residents informed of any developments.
I hope the Government will act quickly as this drip of information is causing stress and uncertainty to vulnerable residents.
