Bristol Central

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.

Carla Denyer (Green Party): Signed

Policy questionnaire

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

Carla Denyer (Green Party):

The Green Party supports the principle of self-determination in Hong Kong, as we believe that only Hong Kongers have the ability to decide for a more resilient and sustainable political future for Hong Kong without interference from any external political institutions.

I am also aware of how HKSAR and PRC governments use both direct and indirect measures to threaten Hong Kongers’ who choose to voice out their political concerns. It is clear that the implementation of National Security Law and the Basic Law article 23 has curtailed the rights of Hong Kongers to freely and openly express themselves both locally and in Britain. We are committed to ensuring that Hong Kongers in Britain are being protected under UK law, so that Hong Kongers can exercise their civic rights and freedoms without repression or intervention from China.

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

Carla Denyer (Green Party):

Green Party is committed to peaceful and solution-oriented approaches against human rights breaches and international law violations. We have called for boycotts against multiple countries, including China, that have breached human rights and violated international law. Elected Green MPs will support sanctioning Chinese and Hong Kong government officials responsible for human rights abuses.

3. Shutting down Confucius Institutes in the UK

Carla Denyer (Green Party):

I believe that reaching the goal of cultural exchange should not justify the impairment of our freedom of speech and academic freedom. In the case where a Confucius Institute branch is found to have been penetrated by foreign government agencies or intelligence, the Greens will urge the UK government to take immediate action regarding its closure.

Elected Green MPs will support bills that defend academic freedom to ensure that students can practise their freedom of speech without fear, especially students from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Uyghur from University of Bristol and University and West England (UWE) in Carla’s constituency.

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

Carla Denyer (Green Party):

I agree that the validity of BNO (British National Overseas) passports should be recognized as a valid travel document. If Hong Kongers face problems with withdrawn applications, as part of British Nationals, the British Government should provide adequate help. Elected Green MPs will urge the government to demand that UK-headquartered MPF trustees, such as HSBC, do not deny Hong Kongers the ability to withdraw their MPF, and will fulfil such obligations through a formalised commitment to help Hong Kongers withdraw their funds successfully.

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

Carla Denyer (Green Party):

The Green party fully welcomes Hong Kongers to integrate into UK communities. We recognize the value Hong Kongers bring to the country, and this positive impact could extend to much greater lengths if adequate support is provided.

I will coordinate with the Green-led Bristol City Council to collect data and concerns on Hong Kongers in Bristol, particularly on occupational distribution, mobility, and working conditions, to understand the challenges they face when looking for local jobs that commensurate with their previous work experience. We would focus on a communicative approach and seek solutions at both community and systemic levels.

6. Improving NHS services and reducing crimes in local communities

Carla Denyer (Green Party):

The Green Party has set out their plans to increase annual expenditure by £8bn on health and social care in the first year of the next parliament, rising to a total of £28bn in 2030, plus an additional capital spend of at least £20bn over the next five years. Green MPs will push for improvement of NHS services, which includes 1) A year-on-year reduction in waiting lists, 2) Guaranteed access to an NHS dentist, 3) Guaranteed rapid access to a GP with same-day access in case of urgent need, and 4) An immediate boost to the pay of NHS staff, including the restoration of junior doctors’ pay.

Regarding crime reduction in Britain, the Green Party puts this issue at a high priority. We believe that immediate actions must be taken to address the root causes of crime, such as restoring funding withdrawn from youth services since 2010 and expanding restorative justice. It serves to give victims a voice and help offenders take responsibility for the harm they have caused, thereby reducing recidivism rates and encouraging rehabilitation.

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

Last updated: 26/6/2024