SELHuG meets Lewisham Deptford MP Vicky Foxcroft
A group of SELHuG members met with Vicky Foxcroft, MP for Lewisham Deptford and Shadow Minister for Civil Society, in August. We wanted to say hello as her local humanist group, let her know how we are active in the local community, and discover if there are shared concerns such as community cohesion, assisted dying, legal humanist weddings, proper relationships and sex education in schools etc.
Vicky was really generous in listening and talking to us. Her voting record is very positive on human rights, allowing terminally ill people the right to an assisted death, tackling tax avoidance etc.
Vicky is particularly interested in the problem of loneliness in our community, in how to reduce mental illness and suicide, and how to connect young and old people. She is active in two All Party Parliamentary Groups – on domestic violence, and introducing the vote for 16 year olds.
Karen Wright, Public Affairs Manager at Humanists UK, is also a southeast Londoner and was able to join us at the meeting. She has followed up by suggesting some parliamentary questions Vicky might like to ask on new voluntary-funded schools; on supporting legal recognition of humanist marriage; and ensuring all children receive LGBT-inclusive relationships and sex education. All in all a productive meeting.
