Wetherby and Easingwold

Statement

James Monaghan (Liberal Democrats):

I am pleased that Liberal Democrat MP, Layla Moran has in the past asked an Urgent Question to the Foreign Secretary, urging sanctions on Hong Kong officials involved in the targeting of pro-democracy activists.

I am pleased that the Liberal Democrat manifesto states that we will stand with Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Uyghurs including by:

• Continuing to fight for British National (Overseas) passport holders’ rights by closing gaps in the BNO visa scheme.

• Extending BNO integration funding for Hong Kongers in the UK for the duration of the Parliament.

• Recognising that the human rights abuses being perpetrated against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang amount to the crime of genocide.

• Building new diplomatic, economic and security partnerships with democratic countries threatened by China, including Taiwan.

Although I haven't been able to give you the full response you have requested and deserve, if elected, I would be more than happy to meet with you to discuss this issue further and provide you a full response then.

You can see a full list of all the candidates for the Wetherby and Easingwold constituency here.

Last updated: 1/7/2024

Sheffield Hallam

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(0) 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.

Jason Leman (Green Party): Signed

Statement

Jason Leman (Green Party):

I have indicated my support for the pledge and support its aims. As our manifesto states:

“In a world threatened by war and the rise of authoritarian regimes, the Green Party believes that the UK’s foreign policy should be based on shared commitments to democracy, peace, global solidarity and the protection of human rights.”

In particular, addressing the concerns raised in the V4HK survey:

• The Green Party supports self-determination for Hong Kong.

• Elected Green MPs will support sanctioning Chinese and Hong Kong government officials responsible for human rights abuses.

• 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.

• The Green Party agrees that the BNO British National Overseas passports should be recognized as a valid travel document and Hongkongers should have British Government support where needed to withdraw their Mandatory Provident Fund.

• The Green party fully welcomes Hongkongers into UK communities and wishes to see all refugees better supported into employment that reflects their skills.

• Our manifesto seeks significant investment into the NHS and communities, to support people’s health and wellbeing, improving the quality of life of everyone resident in the UK.

The Green Party believes that working together, we can offer hope and achieve real change.

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

Last updated: 26/6/2024

Leeds South West and Morley

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.

Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative Party): Signed

You can see a full list of all the candidates for the Leeds South West and Morley constituency here.

Last updated: 25/6/2024

Leeds North West

Statement

Mick Bradley (Green Party):

This is new to me but I would expect to support your aims.

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

Last updated: 25/6/2024

Leeds North East

Statement

Fabian Hamilton (Labour Party):

I am well aware that the Chinese Government has been persistently undermining the Joint Declaration for some time now and the 'One Country, Two Systems' agreement in Hong Kong is increasingly under threat. For several years Labour has consistently been calling for the UK Government to step up and call for concrete measures to push back on the Chinese Government's aggressive encroachment of Hong Kong's sovereignty.

Back in May I met with Hong Kong Watch - an advocacy group for Hong Kongers; in this meeting we discussed BNO visas, MPF, the current political situation in the region, and the state of diplomatic ties between China and the UK. The current state of affairs for Hong Kongers is at the front of my mind, and I know that the Labour Foreign Office Team has a clear plan too.

After 14 years of damaging Conservative inconsistency over China, Labour will bring a long-term and strategic approach to managing our relations. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. We will improve the UK's capability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses through an audit of our bilateral relationship. We will always act in our interests and defend our sovereignty and our democratic values. We will always stand with and support members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK.

I can assure you that if re-elected on 4th July, I will stand up for the Hong Konger diaspora as best I can in Parliament.

You can see a full list of all the candidates for the Leeds North East constituency here.

Last updated: 24/6/2024

Leeds Central and Headingley

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.

Chris Howley (Liberal Democrats): Signed

You can see a full list of all the candidates for the Leeds Central and Headingley constituency here.

Last updated: 24/6/2024

Barnsley North

Statement

Tom Heyes (Green Party):

I confess I am not too knowledgeable about Hong Kong but I do support the rights of Hong Kong people under the agreement with China, which I believe are not being properly upheld by China, and their rights to resettle in the UK if they so choose.

The Green Party is the only one you can trust on the climate and biodiversity crisis. We will continue to press for no new oil and gas and a halt to the loss of the natural environment and ecosystems with a just transition globally to a sustainable economy that recognises the historic responsibility of industrialised nations.

Our 2024 General Election Manifesto - Green Party

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

Last updated: 24/6/2024

York Outer

Statement

Luke Charters (Labour Party):

Labour celebrates the significant contribution that the Hong Kong community makes to the UK.

The issuing of arrest warrants for Hong Kong nationals in the UK, is a further demonstration of the deteriorating level of freedom in Hong Kong and a symbol of the Chinese government’s intentions to intimidate those who seek to defend Hong Kong’s freedoms.

Labour have been clear that we would hold the Chinese authorities to account, support those in need in Hong Kong and fully support the integration of Hong Kong BN(O) community to build their lives here in Britain including supporting a clear pathway to citizenship.

We led calls for the expansion of the British National (Overseas) visa scheme to include a pathway to citizenship and have latterly called for the scheme to be opened up to younger Hong Kongers not previously eligible.

On transnational aggression:

Since the increased crackdown on human rights and civil liberties in Hong Kong began, Labour has called for more strident action from the UK Government to both hold the Chinese authorities to account and to support those in need in Hong Kong.

We led calls for the expansion of the British National (Overseas) visa scheme to be opened up to younger Hong Kongers not previously eligible.

While China continues to violate the internationally recognised Sino-British agreement, and further erodes hon’s promised freedoms, there will be a need to support Hong Kongers both here and in Hong Kong itself. Labour fully supports these moves and have argued for there to be further action from the Government.

China has criticised the actions of the British Government in expanding the BN(O) passport/visa scheme, accusing the British Government of interfering in their “internal affairs.”

I hope that the above gives you some comfort over Labour’s policy on this worrying issue. If Luke is elected I am sure he would be delighted to meet you to understand better the issues faced by the Hong Kong community at this difficult time.

Luke is fighting for every vote in this extremely close election, and has received support from the former Green Parliamentary candidate, former Lib Dem councillors, and former Conservative voters.

Luke wants to be a hardworking, local Labour MP for York Outer. We hope you will lend him your support.

Andrew Hollyer (Liberal Democrats):

The Liberal Democrats have been steadfast in our opposition to the persecution of Hong Kongers. We have always stood up for the values of democracy, liberty, human rights and the rule of law.

Specifically on Hong Kong we have promised in our manifesto to:

• Continuing to fight for British National (Overseas) passport holders’ rights by closing gaps in the BNO visa scheme.

• Extending BNO integration funding for Hong Kongers in the UK for the duration of the Parliament.

Michael Kearney (Green Party):

Thank you for alerting me to the challenges that are faced by Hong Kongers living in Britian and the difficulties and threats they face from the actions of the Chinese (and Hong Kong) government. This is an area that I have only limited knowledge about and your message has prompted me to find out a bit more.

In principle, I have no difficulty in supporting calls to tackle transnational repression by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments, use sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong government officials responsible for human rights abuses, improving NHS services and reducing crimes in local communities, assisting Hong Kong immigrants in retrieving their Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF - i.e. pension rights), or assisting Hong Kong immigrants in finding jobs commensurate with their work experience.

At the moment, I do not know enough about international educational and research links between the UK and China and I am reluctant to sign a pledge regarding the Confucius Institutes before I fully understand the context and the implications of any such actions.

If I am elected, I would be very glad to meet with you to find out more about the concerns of the Hong Konger community in York, and to discuss these wider international policy issues.

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

Last updated: 24/6/2024

York Central

Statement

Richard Hudson (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.

Roger James (Independent):

It would be unfair of me to favour any specific group, but what I can say is that when I'm elected I'll meet with you and discuss any issues which you feel are unjust. It's because I have a passion for justice that I'm endeavouring to become an MP. I care for people of all ethnicities. I see us all together as one; your welfare is mine and everyone else's welfare around us.

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

Last updated: 24/6/2024