Our comrade, Paul Liversuch recently attended a coffee morning with MP Samantha Niblett, MP for South Derbyshire, an event to which he was invited. There were about thirty people in attendance, and Paul took the opportunity to question her on a number of issues.
The issue of a recent statement by the Trades Union, Unison, was raised on care homes which revealed that care is dearer when privatised.
Paul raised the issue of the proposed abolition of trial by jury, which he argued was an attack on democracy, particularly in relation to the government’s strategy to use terrorist legislation to label demonstrators as terrorists.
The response from Samantha Niblett was that the cost of trails by jury cannot be afforded, but our comrade pointed out that the war in Ukraine is costing the country £billions, which should be spent on our economy. Samantha Niblett replied that as she is on Armed Forces Select Committee, in Parliament, she would vote for war, but our comrade repeated his view that it should be spent on this country. Niblett retorted that he would say that because he’s a socialist. Our comrade Paul, responded “you bet!”. A revealing comment from a Labour MP, who clearly doesn’t identify as a socialist.
Paul continued to press his argument that trial by jury was a fundamental human right, and that it was important to defend human rights. He reminded the MP that these policies of this Labour government are eroding our human rights.
The next issue raised by our comrade related to the Birmingham Bin strike, Samantha Niblett was asked whether she would be prepared to take a drop of £8000 per year in salary? Angela Rayners comments relating to the strike were also raised and Paul expressed his view that Angela Rayner is a sell-out. Samantha Niblett denied this.
Lastly opportunity was taken to raise the SLP’s policy relating to Proportional Representation and the need to reform England’s electoral system.
Our comrade Paul felt that this was a good opportunity to raise important issues with his elected representative, to put them on the sport as well as raising the Socialist Labour Party’s profile locally.