Latest news with #LaylaMoran
Arab News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
British politician urges UK to act on Israel as Gaza faces ‘cruel destitution'
LONDON: A British politician of Palestinian descent has called on the UK government to back its tougher rhetoric on Israel with tangible action, warning that people in Gaza are facing 'unbearably cruel levels of destitution.' Liberal Democrat Layla Moran said that although ministers had recently adopted a more critical tone, this had yet to translate into meaningful policy change, The Guardian reported on Sunday. 'I remain frustrated that while the government's words and tone have changed, in terms of concrete actions, not much has changed,' she said. Her comments come amid growing international pressure over Israel's expanded military campaign in Gaza and its restriction of humanitarian aid. On Wednesday, Hamish Falconer, minister for the Middle East, described Israel's aid blockade as 'appalling,' 'cruel,' and 'indefensible.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy also confirmed that the UK was in discussions with France and Saudi Arabia about recognizing a Palestinian state, ahead of a planned international conference in Paris in June. Moran urged the UK to move forward with recognition, arguing it would 'safeguard Palestinian interests and also send a very clear signal to Israel that there are consequences to their actions.' She also criticized the government for continuing to allow trade from illegal Israeli settlements and for supplying arms to Israel, adding: 'They're still arming Israel when they shouldn't be.'
The Guardian
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Layla Moran urges more action on Israel and warns of ‘cruel destitution' in Gaza
Layla Moran has told the UK government to match its tougher tone on Israel with action as she warned that people in Gaza face 'unbearably cruel levels of destitution'. The Lib Dem MP called for further action, including recognition of a Palestinian state, in a renewed appeal for the family of Mohammad, an NHS doctor who operated on her last year, whose elderly parents remain stuck in northern Gaza. He described conditions on the ground as a 'slaughterhouse' and said people were on the brink of starvation. The Guardian spoke to the pair last October when Mohammad's parents were trapped in their home as drones stalked the streets outside. Shortly after, they were forced to flee when it was bombed in a strike that killed his cousin and nephew. They have since returned, being among the lucky few in the neighbourhood to 'have walls that remain standing'. In recent weeks, the government has adopted a more critical tone against Israel. On Wednesday, the Middle East minister, Hamish Falconer, called Israel's aid blockade 'appalling', 'cruel' and 'indefensible', while the foreign secretary, David Lammy, said the UK was in talks with France and Saudi Arabia over the recognition of a Palestinian state ahead of a conference in June. Moran said: 'I remain frustrated that while the government's words and tone have changed, in terms of concrete actions, not much has changed.' She called on the government to recognise a Palestinian state, which would 'safeguard Palestinian interests and also send a very clear signal to Israel that there are consequences to their actions'. She also condemned the government for allowing trade from illegal settlements and for 'still arming Israel when they shouldn't be'. Moran said the plight of Mohammad's family 'reminds us that we have citizens of the United Kingdom that are being affected by what's going on in northern Gaza'. Mohammad, who has worked for the health service for 20 years, grew up in the Jabaliya refugee camp. He is in regular contact with family members stuck in Gaza. 'The entire population has been squeezed into around a couple of kilometres,' he said. 'A very small area with no shelter, no food, nothing. It's beyond description.' 'People are really starving to death, because there's nothing left. They haven't seen proper food or aid for the past three months.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion His brother-in-law called him on Saturday morning from northern Gaza, where Israeli rockets have rained down from the skies. Overnight, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 100 people. Hunger and starvation are rife as the blockade imposed by Israel looks set to enter its 11th week. 'Everything is destroyed there. In the first starvation wave, there was animal food that people used to dice. Now, there is none of that. You're very lucky if you have a bit of flour to make some bread. 'The bombs won't be able to kill everyone, it's the starvation that will,' he said. Mohammad said that when he calls his parents, they tell him: 'We are OK, we are managing.' He is particularly concerned about their wellbeing. His mother has diabetes and hypertension and his father had his colon removed, leaving him frail. '[My brother-in-law] said, your dad doesn't tell you because he doesn't want you to worry you so much,' he said. 'Anybody a bit vulnerable basically dies.' Mohammad has been told of the desperate conditions on the ground, describing 'people dying of hunger and bombing' and those with infections or struck by missiles being unable to find treatment. 'Anybody who gets wounded is so unlucky, because they die. There is no treatment, no medicine, nothing to offer them,' he said. His brother-in-law told him 'there are people with no skin. The missiles they fire burn the skin off them. They tell you, 'I wish I could die.'' He also described soaring prices for basic food and supplies including tents and sugar, adding that oil was being 'sold in syringes in units of 5ml, 10ml or 20ml' to ration it out. Moran, who struck up a friendship with Mohammad while she recovered from surgery, said: 'Starvation shouldn't be a weapon of war and it is unbearably cruel that it's got to the levels of destitution that Mohammad's family are describing, but their story is just one of millions that are now trapped in northern Gaza in a situation that seems even worse than at the beginning. 'It has to stop now and the UK government needs to redouble its efforts to make that happen.'
New Statesman
16-05-2025
- Health
- New Statesman
The assisted dying debate takes a sour turn
`illustration by Getty If there was a single moment that encapsulated the latest stage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, it was surely when MPs cleared the lobby to vote – not on any of the amendments that had been argued about over the gruelling four and a half hours, but on whether or not to vote on them at all. In this great act of meta-democracy, MPs determined that they would in fact proceed to a vote. By then, there was time to consider just two amendments.. The mood on this sunny Westminster Friday could not have been more different from when MPs voted on the second reading of Kim Leadbeater's Private Member's Bill on assisted dying back in November. Back then, the question was a matter of principle, and the atmosphere was one of gracious respect and emotive compassion. MPs chose to progress the legislation by 330 votes to 275 – many of them, to quote the words of Liberal Democrat Layla Moran, on the basis that they 'want to keep talking about the issues'. Today was about hammering out the details. Although, as quickly became apparent, those details are far from being hammered out. The bill's passage through committee stage has been contentious, marred by accusations on everything from the ideological make-up of the committee to the witnesses called to the nature of the amendments accepted – about 150, out of over 500 proposed. Committee members, most notably the Labour MP Naz Shah, have openly voiced their misgivings on procedural grounds. That was the main thrust of today's debate. 'This process is flawed, fundamentally flawed,' a visibly furious Shah told the House, to the loudest chorus of affirmative here-heres of the day. 'This is not how we make legislation.' The practicalities were debated, of course. On the agenda today were amendments regarding provision (or not) for patients suffering from eating disorders, how the decision-making process would work in relation to the mental capacity act, whether to allow doctors to bring up assisted dying with terminally ill patients who have not mentioned it themselves, and how to identify and prevent situations of coercive control. Florence Eshalomi, one of the most powerful speakers during first reading, gave another passionate warning regarding the potential impact on minority communities who are already fearful of the medical establishment. Mother of the House Diane Abbott nodded along. The Royal College of Psychiatrists, while neutral on the principle, said this week that it could not support the legislation in its current form. This intervention was repeatedly cited today. So too was the controversial decision to remove the safeguard of sign-off from a High Court judge in favour of a panel of experts. It was argued that the version of the bill currently before MPs was weaker rather than safer than November's. But if the motif running through the second reading debate was of MPs putting aside party differences to examine the philosophical, ethical and legal issues. Today the frequent refrain of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker was: 'We are very short of time'. MPs were first requested to keep their contributions to under 15 minutes; as the hours ticked on, this was shortened to five. Again and again speakers declined to take points of order, on the basis that they had no time. The vast majority of MPs wishing to speak were denied the opportunity. In November Kieran Mullan said in his closing remarks for the opposition that the debate had represented 'this House at the very best'. He was challenged in his statement today as to whether he still believed that. His reflection that 'We are where we are' sums up the feelings of many exhausted MPs. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Perhaps the sourness of today's performance reflects the messy reality of legislating on literal issues of life and death. There are those on both sides of the chamber who believe a private members bill was the wrong vehicle for a question of this gravity – equally, others believe the government could have done more to smooth the bill's passage. But there is also a view that, whatever the process, there was always going to come a crunch point when lofty sentiments about democratic debate dissolved into the inevitable tug-of-war between opposing camps. Time was always going to run out at some point. No one likes to see how the sausage gets made. In the end, only two amendments were voted on: the first, put forward by Leadbeater herself, regarding guarantees that doctors would not be forced to provide assisted dying, and the second, put forward by opponent of the bill Rebecca Paul, on extending this protection to institutions wanting to opt out. The former passed; the latter – considered the clearest indication from today about the bill's future – failed by majority of 279 to 243. When it comes back before the House on 13 June, it looks likely there will still be a majority of MPs in favour. [See more: Keir Starmer can rewrite the history of Brexit] Related
Medscape
09-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
MPs Call for Gambling Law Review to Curb Harm
MPs have urged the government to overhaul gambling laws to tackle gambling-related harm. In a letter to Ashley Dalton, the minister in England responsible for overseeing health issues associated with gambling and other addictions, the Commons Health and Social Care Committee called for tougher regulations on gambling advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. It cited serious harms linked to gambling, including financial, physical and mental health consequences. Advertising Exposure and Normalisation In an evidence session last month, the committee heard that gambling had become 'prevalent and normalised' in society, with 80% of the population being exposed to some form of gambling advertising on a weekly basis. One academic witness described 'intrusive and targeted' promotions by gambling firms, with accounts of 'people receiving offers of free bets in the middle of the night', the letter said. Committee chair Layla Moran MP recommended banning gambling ads before the 9 pm watershed, curbs on sports sponsorship, and restrictions on content designed to appeal to children and young people. Gambling and Suicide Risks Moran also noted evidence from the charity Gambling with Lives concerning the lack of public awareness about gambling harms, including suicide. The 2023 National Suicide Prevention Strategy identified gambling as one of six factors linked to suicide at a population level. The committee highlighted evidence that an estimated 117 and 496 suicides were associated with problem gambling or gambling disorder in England in 2021-2022. A lack of awareness amongst coroners of the link between gambling and suicide, and the fact that problem gambling, unlike smoking, alcohol, or drug use, was rarely recorded in an individual's medical notes meant that most gambling deaths were not properly investigated in a way that provided justice for families or that learns the vital lessons which could save lives, Moran stressed. The letter called on the Department of Health and Social Care to outline what steps it would to raise awareness of suicides linked to problem gambling amongst coroners and others involved in the investigation of sudden deaths. The committee recommended that the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) should develop a public information campaign about gambling risks. Problem Gambling in the Population A 2023 review by Public Health England, whose public health functions have since been taken on by the OHID, estimated that 0.5% of the adult population had a problem with gambling, 3.8% were gambling at at-risk levels, and 7% were negatively impacted by another person's gambling. Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence earlier this year recommended that primary care clinicians should ask patients about their gambling habits. A government spokesperson acknowledged receipt of the committee's letter and said it would formally respond in due course. In an emailed statement, the spokesperson added that the government recognised that gambling could be 'hugely damaging for people and their loved ones' and that it is 'committed to better protecting everyone from these harms'.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Oxford West & Abingdon MP Layla Moran announces birth of first child
MP Layla Moran announces birth of first child 12 minutes ago Share Save Share Save Layla Moran MP The Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon said the baby was born at the John Radcliffe Hospital Layla Moran has said she is "delighted" to announce the birth of her first child with her partner and will be taking parental leave for about five months. The Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon said the baby had been born at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and was "doing very well". Ms Moran first confirmed her relationship with ex-Lib Dem press officer Rosy Cobb in 2020. She said her office would remain open for all casework while she was on leave and a proxy vote would be in place to ensure her constituents were represented. Ms Moran added: "In this moment of joy for our family I want to thank the NHS staff who are taking such good care of us. "I also want to thank in advance my amazing parliamentary and campaigns staff, the clerks of the select committee and my fellow MPs for supporting me in taking parental leave. "Finally, thanks to those who have sent their good wishes. We feel blessed indeed." Ms Moran's proxy vote will be made by another Liberal Democrat MP, who is yet to be confirmed. The MP also chairs the Health and Social Care Committee. She said it would be "ably shepherded" by Labour MP and committee vice-chair Paulette Hamilton, to whom she was "extremely grateful". Her leave will encompass the House of Commons Whitsun recess dates, from 22 May until 2 June, as well as the Summer recess from 30 July to 2 September. Parental leave provisions are made available to MPs through the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Ms Moran was elected in 2017 and is the Lib Dems' foreign affairs spokesperson. The daughter of a former EU ambassador and a Christian Arab from Jerusalem, she was the first ethnic minority Lib Dem MP and the first MP of Palestinian descent. She lost out to Sir Ed Davey in the race to become the new leader of the Liberal Democrats in 2020. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, , or Instagram. More on this story MP's 'exhausted and traumatised' family flees Gaza
