Derby representatives with Margaret Beckett MP

Derby group at Big Ben

Six representatives from our CofS group went to this great event – Joseph has written a full account of the day on the CofS home page here: https://cityofsanctuary.org/2016/12/05/sanctuary-in-parliament-iii-report/ . All of us found it inspiring, informative and helpful as we were able to spend some time with one of our MPs, Dame Margaret Beckett. Amanda Solloway MP was not at Westminster on the day but we have arranged a separate meeting with her in Derby in January. Margaret was sympathetic and wrote down all the points we made, some of the issues she had not come across before so hopefully she will be able to raise these with Government, and maybe join with others to promote some of the much needed improvements to the asylum system when the occasion arises.

I think the impact of the day was summarised by one of our representatives who came to the UK as a child refugee and is now studying Law at Derby University, who said ” This has been the best day of my life. I now know that my future will be concentrated on immigration law”. Another said “I’m amazed that we were able to get to meet our MP and talk to them. In my country all politicians are kept behind armed guards and nobody can get near them,”