Personal Security

Standard

We at w4mp are shocked at the news that Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West has died from his injuries after having been attacked at his advice surgery this afternoon.   We offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends and staff at this awful time.

Members and their staff need to remain alert and be aware of their security. Please do read our guide here: https://w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/guides-to-parliament/security-at-westminster-and-in-constituency-offices/ for information about the support which is available to you.

The Members’ Security Support Service (MSSS) provides guidance, advice and support to members of both Houses and their staff, about security away from the Parliamentary Estate. You can call them on 020 7219 2244 if you wish to discuss anything related to security and personal safety.

Further guidance can be found here:
The MSSS Sharepoint site: https://hopuk.sharepoint.com/sites/bct-MSG includes information on running a safe surgery, personal security advice, funded security measures, how to respond to intimidating behaviour.

Security away from Parliament, including at advice surgeries and in constituency offices: https://intranet.parliament.uk/Documents/Security/Members%20Security%20Advice%20bookletWEBVERSION.pdf

Ordering wreaths for Armistice Day or Remembrance Sunday

Standard

If you would like to order a wreath for Armistice Day or Remembrance Sunday, you can do so by contacting the Royal British Legion directly: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/shop/wreaths

They are able to provide a portcullis badge for the centre of the wreath, but you will need to request this at the time you order the wreath, and only ‘Type C’ or ‘Type K’ wreaths can accommodate a central badge.

You can order wreaths at any time of year but, obviously, they are busiest in October and November, so do try to order in good time. They suggest that orders for Armistice Day should be placed before 24 October.

The Immigration Act 1971: Celebrated or Flawed?

Standard

On 30 September 2021, Gresham College broadcast a 1-hour lecture by Professor Leslie Thomas QC and David Neale.

It’s really worth watching as it gives an excellent background to the history of Britain’s immigration law which will be of interest to anyone who works as an MP’s caseworker, particularly those who process immigration casework.

Here’s the lecture summary:

“Commonwealth citizens once enjoyed the right to live, work and settle in the UK without any restrictions. But a racist backlash against Black and Asian immigration led to legislators introducing immigration controls in the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962, which were broadened by the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1968 to deprive East African Asians of the right to settle in the UK. Its shameful successor, the Immigration Act 1971 continues to form the basis of our xenophobic immigration laws today.”

You can watch the lecture on Gresham College’s website here: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/immigration-act

No Panic – Understanding Anxiety Disorders

Standard

Time: 13:30pm
Date: Wednesday 20th October
Venue: Online

No Panic is a registered charity that helps and supports those living with Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders. No Panic also provides support for the carers of people who suffer from anxiety disorders.

One of the charity No Panic patron’s will be hosting an interactive and engaging talk on the background of No Panic, understanding anxious thoughts and anxiety disorders, chatting through their own lived experience of anxiety disorders and practical ways you can develop your own self-care strategies?

Please RSVP to mpsstaff-wwg@parliament.uk

Advantages of a Caring Culture – Kirstie Hawton, Octopus Group

Standard

Time: 10:00
Date: Friday 1 October 2021
Where: MS Teams

Kirstie has revolutionised the culture at Octopus by putting employees wellbeing, mental health and gratitude at the forefront of everything they do.  

Come along to hear how Kirstie made this change and to get some tips on how we can look after ourselves, our colleagues and our offices during these particularly troubling times.

Please email mpsstaff-wwg@parliament.uk to register

Visit the Members’ Services Fair from 18-22 October 2021

Standard

The Members’ Services Fair is an opportunity for Members and their staff to find out more about the full range of support, services and facilities provided by the House Service and the work of different teams across Parliament.

A series of talks and panel discussions will be held in the Macmillan Room on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 October. These will cover the experiences of Members and Members’ staff of working in the House of Commons, as well as topics including running your office, security, learning and development, personal wellbeing and the culture of Parliament.

A full programme and details on how to pre-register for individual sessions will be available on the intranet closer to the event. Talks will be live streamed for the benefit of constituency staff or those unable to attend in person.

You can find further information on the intranet: https://intranet.parliament.uk/business-news/news-current-issues/news/2021/september/visit-the-members-services-fair-monday-18—thursday-22-october-/

Call for Balfour Project Peace Advocacy Fellows 2021-22

Standard

READ HERE for the full call for fellows.

https://balfourproject.org/bp/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Call-for-Balfour-Project.pdf

The Balfour Project intends to appoint up to twenty Peace Advocacy Fellows for the academic
year 2021-22. If you are a post-graduate or final year undergraduate student with an interest in the the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, you are welcome to apply.


The selected fellows will be paid a bursary of £700 payable in two tranches at the midpoint and end of theacademic year.

Theyh are open for applications between 1 September and 5pm of Friday, 29 October. Interviews will take place in the second half of October, and the fellows will be appointed at the end of the month.

http://www.balfourproject.org

Forthcoming drop-in Q&A sessions

Standard

The Members Services Team have some drop-in Q&A Sessions coming up: