St Albans

Statement

Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrats):

Liberal Democrats stand with the people of Hong Kong, and I was delighted to join the Hong Kong symposium in Parliament just a few weeks before the General Election was called.

Many Hong Kongers have suffered grave persecution at the hands of the Chinese Regime.

With repeated reports of police brutality, the UK has a moral and legal duty to stand with Hong Kongers and ensure no one is left behind to suffer under the Chinese Communist Party.

For too long the UK government has failed in its duty under the Joint Declaration and international law to preserve Hong Kong’s democracy and human rights.

The government can make no more excuses – it is time for the UK to step up, lead and take action. The UK government must step up and hold China to account. Now is the time for the UK to consider taking China to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its disregard for its obligations in international law.

The UK must impose Magnitsky-style sanctions on those individuals in Hong Kong and China who are responsible for human rights abuses in the peninsula. That must include Magnitsky sanctions and taking China to the International Court of Justice.

The UK Government must conduct an audit of UK-based assets owned by Hong Kong officials involved in the crackdown, and should consider declaring Hong Kong as no longer autonomous - and review whether it should continue to receive preferential customs status - until fundamental liberties are restored.

Liberal Democrats are urging the government to ensure no one is left behind. Gaps in the British National Overseas (BNO) visa scheme must be plugged - to give Hong Kongers a lifeboat if they need it.

Liberal Democrats would ensure that Hong Kongers in the UK are given the support they need - including guaranteeing an expansion of funding for the BNO Integration Scheme, and ensuring that Hong Kongers’ needs are met, including proper mental health support and English language support where appropriate.

You can see a full list of all the candidates for the St Albans constituency here.

Last updated: 1/7/2024

Watford

Pledge

I pledge to support Hongkongers

• in their pursuit of freedom and democracy;

• in their settlement and integration in the UK, including the existing BN(O) visa programme and support for Hongkonger asylum seekers facing political repression, and;

• in the exercise of their civic rights and freedoms, free from repression, in Britain.

Dean Russell (Conservative Party): Signed

Policy questionnaire

1. Tackling transnational repression by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments

Dean Russell (Conservative Party):

We will not tolerate transnational repression or any attempt by foreign powers to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK. We have passed legislation which strengthens the UK’s ability to counter and disrupt foreign interference.

2. Sanctioning Chinese and Hong Kong government officials responsible for human rights abuses

Dean Russell (Conservative Party):

The Chinese and Hong Kong authorities can be in no doubt about the seriousness of UK concerns and those of the international community. I also welcome the three decisive steps taken directly by the UK - extending the arms embargo on mainland China to Hong Kong within 20 days of the imposition of NSL, suspending our extradition treaty with Hong Kong and introducing a new immigration path for BNO passport holders. Attempting to silence voices globally that speak up for freedom and democracy will never succeed.

3. Shutting down Confucius Institutes in the UK

Dean Russell (Conservative Party):

The Government has been clear that it is taking action to remove any government funding from Confucius Institutes in the UK, but I understand that it currently judges that it would be disproportionate to ban them.

They should operate transparently, and with a full commitment to our values of openness and freedom of expression. Universities have a responsibility to ensure that any partnership with a Confucius Institute is managed appropriately, and the right due diligence is in place. The Government takes any concerns extremely seriously regarding the operation of international organisations at UK education providers.

4. Assisting Hong Kong immigrants in retrieving their Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)

Dean Russell (Conservative Party):

The Government firmly opposes the MPF’s discrimination against British National (Overseas) status holders (BN(O)s) and we will continue to urge the Hong Kong authorities and all relevant bodies to facilitate early drawdown of funds for BN(O)s as is the case for other Hong Kong residents who move overseas permanently.

5. Assisting Hong Kong immigrants in finding jobs commensurate with their work experience

Dean Russell (Conservative Party):

Finding high quality employment is a priority for all communities, and here in Watford we have companies in pretty much every sector and lots of opportunities for people looking to enter the workforce, secure a better job or take on a new challenge. I will continue to run my annual Jobs Fair alongside the Job Centre Plus to help pair the right candidates with available positions. Since 2010 there are 10,400 more people in Watford in employment.

6. Improving NHS services and reducing crimes in local communities

Dean Russell (Conservative Party):

I believe that the NHS is our proudest achievement as a nation, and I am delighted that at a local level I have been able to secure the full funding for the rebuild of Watford General.

In recent years there have been incredible advances at Watford General, such as creating the UK’s first virtual hospital, and the installation of two surgery robots, achievements I was proud to support. Successive Conservative governments have increased the NHS budget by over a third in real terms since 2010. The NHS budget now stands at £164.9 billion, a 13% increase since 2019. Our plan for the NHS is backed by record funding, the first ever long-term NHS Workforce Plan, new AI technology, record numbers of doctors and nurses, and 160 Community Diagnostic Centres to deliver millions more scans, tests and checks.

I have also secured a new police station for Watford. With the new location being so close to the High Street, foot patrols can be conducted easily, while it is also close to the ring road enabling a rapid vehicle response. Having been on a number of police raids in Watford, I have seen for myself how hard our local police officers work and it is only right that we equip them as best we can to help them in their vital work. New, modern facilities in the heart of town is fantastic news for Watford.

You can see a full list of all the candidates for the Watford constituency here.

Last updated: 10/6/2024