Leigh and Atherton

Statement

Michael Winstanley (Conservative Party):

The Conservatives have consistently stood up for the people of Hong Kong, called out violations of their rights and freedoms, and holding China to its international obligations.

I welcome that over 190,000 Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) visas have been granted, and hugely value the fantastic contribution that Hong Kongers are making to our national life.

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.

We have also, rightly, raised serious concerns about the new national security legislation passed under article 23 of the Basic Law in Hong Kong earlier this year, and have been clear that this law has no effect in the UK.

The Hong Kong authorities should respect rights and freedoms, uphold Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and the rule of law, and act in accordance with international commitments and legal obligations.

The Conservatives will continue to speak out when China breaches its legally binding agreements and when it breaks its promises to the people of Hong Kong.

I am happy to support this campaign.

You can see a full list of all the candidates for the Leigh and Atherton constituency here.

Last updated: 4/7/2024

Worsley and Eccles

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.

David Jones (Green Party): Signed

Statement

Michael Wheeler (Labour Party):

I fully support Hongkongers in their pursuit of freedom and democracy, and in their ability to exercise their civic rights and freedoms in Britain. No one should face repression abroad or here. I support the existing BN(O) visa programme and the settlement and integration of Hongkongers in our community, as well as supporting the rights of Hongkonger asylum seekers fleeing political repression. If elected as the MP for Worsley & Eccles, it would an honour to meet with the local Hongkonger community to learn more about your experiences.

You can see a full list of all the candidates for the Worsley and Eccles constituency here.

Last updated: 2/7/2024

Salford

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.

Wendy Olsen (Green Party): Signed

Statement

Rebecca Long-Bailey (Labour Party):

Hongkongers in Salford are a vibrant part of our local community which I am very proud of. They have my full support 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; their right to freedom, democracy and the exercise of their civic rights, free from repression, in Britain.

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

Last updated: 2/7/2024

Bolton West

Statement

Phil Brickell (Labour Party):

Britain has a vital role to play in supporting Hong Kongers - both here in the UK and in Hong Kong. We live in increasingly uncertain times and I am supportive of Hong Kongers' rights of freedom of speech, standing up against political persecution and supporting your resettlement in the UK. More needs to be done to support members of the Hong Kong communities across Bolton, Blackrod, Westhoughton and Horwich - with visas, job opportunities and accessing public services. If elected to be the next Member of Parliament for Bolton West, I intend to provide a strong voice for you in Westminster.

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

Last updated: 26/6/2024

Altrincham and Sale West

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.

Oliver Carroll (Conservative Party): Signed

Statement

Connor Rand (Labour Party):

I believe that our next Government must repair our international relationships, fulfil our international obligations and always stand up for our fundamental values of human rights and democracy around the world. Whilst the UK visa scheme was a positive step, we must do much more to support people who have arrived from Hong Kong to the UK. If elected as the next Member of Parliament for Altrincham and Sale West, I look forward to working with the local Hong Kong community and doing all I can to support and enhance the exceptional contribution they make to our area and to advocate for them in the next Government when decisions are made.

Policy questionnaire

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

Oliver Carroll (Conservative Party):

I am proud that Britain has been a beacon of freedom for Hong Kongers wishing to escape the repression of the PRC government in recent years. I will unequivocally and resolutely stand up for Hong Kong people in the UK, who should be free from intimidation. The UK must not tolerate infringements on our sovereignty from overseas police stations, the abuse of diplomatic missions, or other interference which seeks to repress British Citizens in their own country – that includes BNO citizens who belong here and are as British as I am.

Connor Rand (Labour Party):

We must always stand up for our core values of free speech and democracy and work to protect those who have settled in the UK from repression and surveillance. Intimidation is never acceptable and I support Vote for Hong Kong’s call for a central agency to tackle transnational repression.

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

Oliver Carroll (Conservative Party):

We should not hold back or hesitate from sanctioning any individual who is involved in breaching the Sino British Joint Declaration, the Basic Law, the principle of One Country, Two Systems, or the fundamental legal rights of Hong Kong people. Britain owes a historical debt to Hong Kong on which we must not turn our backs.

Connor Rand (Labour Party):

We must take action against Chinese individuals and firms who are responsible for human rights abuses and always take a bold and robust approach in defending human rights on the international stage. I support the Labour Party’s proposal for a full audit of the UK-China relationship.

3. Shutting down Confucius Institutes in the UK

Oliver Carroll (Conservative Party): 

Yes.

Connor Rand (Labour Party):

Yes, I support shutting down Confucius Institutes. Campuses and particularly at risk students must be defended against foreign interferences.

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

Oliver Carroll (Conservative Party): 

The BNO passport and the UK’s extension of residency rights to BNO holders is a legal right to reside in the UK which should be recognised by the HK authorities and under the trust deed of the MPF funds must accordingly be released. Any interference in Hong Kongers’ rights to these funds must be resisted and the UK government must take this up at the highest possible levels. If necessary, MPF investments in the UK or over which the UK has any jurisdiction should be subject to legal restriction unless and until funds are released according to Hong Kongers’ proper entitlement.

Connor Rand (Labour Party):

Yes, we must support Hong Kongers their pension contributions and other payments withheld from them out of spite.

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

Oliver Carroll (Conservative Party): 

To the extent that professional qualifications are not already recognised in the UK, we must immediately pass relevant regulations and legislation to enable those who are qualified to carry out professional activities in HK, to do so in the UK. BNO citizens are British and should be treated as such – that goes for the job market as well as for legal and social/civic rights.

Connor Rand (Labour Party):

A good quality, well paid job is a transformational thing. As the Party of working people, Labour has always understood that. We need significant skills reform and the creation of Skills England to help people access the job market at the right level, alongside supporting businesses through our Small Business Plan, growing our economy and making work pay.

6. Improving NHS services and reducing crimes in local communities

Oliver Carroll (Conservative Party): 

The conservative party has presided over the largest ever increase in spending on our NHS – but the effect of the pandemic has left considerable demand in our health service which we have yet to properly resolve. We need to bring an end to doctors’ strikes in a responsible way, and improve access to primary care and GPs. This is why I have been campaigning for the full re-opening of Altrincham Hospital which shamefully (under Labour-led management) lies partially empty and unused despite pressures on the service. On crime, we need more visible policing – we have recruited thousands of new police officers into Greater Manchester Police, but they must have the powers they need to enforce the law without fear or favour.

Connor Rand (Labour Party):

Our NHS is broken and facing the worst crisis in its history, with record high waiting lists and low patient satisfaction. Severe staffing shortages are impacting many services and have led to Altrincham Minor Injuries Unit being unable to reopen, as well as long waiting lists at Wythenshawe and Trafford General. We need a Labour Government to save our National Health Service, with people able to get a doctors appointment or a dentist appointment when they need one, by moving to a prevention-led approach and harnessing the power of technology.

We have less police on our streets than we did 14 years ago. Labour’s pledge to recruit more neighbourhood police officers and have more visible patrolling will ensure we can crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour.

You can see a full list of all the candidates for the Altrincham and Sale West constituency here.

Last updated: 3/7/2024

Warrington South

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.

Graham Gowland (Liberal Democrat): Signed

Policy questionnaire

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

Graham Gowland (Liberal Democrat):

I and the Liberal Democrats always uphold the right to peaceful protest and self determination. We need to ensure all those in the UK are able to democratically express their views, and where repression is taking place, need to take measures to prevent it.

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

Graham Gowland (Liberal Democrat):

Subject to proper review, absolutely.

3. Shutting down Confucius Institutes in the UK

Graham Gowland (Liberal Democrat):

We need to take seriously the issues identified by bodies such as Human Rights Watch, and take appropriate action to ensure these organisations behave in line with UK standards, do not exert unreasonable influence, and where problematic, are closed down.

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

Graham Gowland (Liberal Democrat):

Absolutely - this needs to be accessible in the same way as other schemes, and a BN (O) must be admissible as a travel document.

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

Graham Gowland (Liberal Democrat):

This makes absolute sense. We need to look at professional recognition, potentially with ‘top up’ learning, to give everyone the best opportunities.

6. Improving NHS services and reducing crimes in local communities

Graham Gowland (Liberal Democrat):

This is a key manifesto pledge. Please look at our detailed policies on the NHS and policing. I believe we offer the strongest manifesto on both healthcare and the NHS.

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

Last updated: 16/6/2024