Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

MP Siddiq praises proxy voting trial

LABOUR MP Tulip Siddiq, who created history on Tuesday (29) by becoming the first MP to vote by proxy during the crucial Brexit amendments in the House of Commons, said having a female prime minister helped achieve this.
On Monday (28), a one-year trial of proxy voting was approved in the House of Commons, and MPs who are new parents will now be able to nominate a colleague to cast a ballot on their behalf.
Siddiq, who represents Hampstead and Kilburn in north London, told Sky News: "For years and years, I worked in parliament and there weren't that many women, let alone women with children. I never thought there would be anything like proxy voting."
"We now have a lot more women, and women at senior levels, so it has make a big difference having Theresa May as prime minister, Andrea Leadsom as leader of the house, Harriet Harman as mother of the house, Valerie Vaz as shadow leader of the house.
"There wasn't really a will for it before, to change the archaic workings of parliament."
Despite being from the opposing party, having a female prime minister has made a difference, Siddiq said.
Two weeks ago, the British Bangladeshi MP delayed her Caesarean to take part in a key Brexit vote. She was brought into the chamber in a wheelchair and her presence there prompted a cross-party campaign led by women MPs to update parliamentary rules.
Siddiq said: "When I went in, in a wheelchair, the prime minister came over and spoke to me in the chamber.
"She was about to lose the biggest vote of her life and she made the time to come over and speak to me for quite a long time saying she was sorry to see me in this position, she knew that things needed to be changed, she didn't think I should be there the day before I was due to have a baby.
"She expressed a lot of sympathy and I was grateful."
Siddiq said she wanted to take part in the key Brexit vote because she knew the future of her country was at stake.
"All I know is I really didn't feel I could sit home when I knew the future of the country is at stake. Brexit is so important to my constituents. I have 22,000 EU nationals, one of the highest in the country," she told Sky News.

More For You

Police Recover £1M Stolen Jewellery in Hounslow, Owners Sought

The jewellery was largely taken from London’s South Asian community in Hounslow between 2023 and 2024. (Photo: Met Police)

Stolen jewellery worth £1m recovered in Hounslow, police seek owners

POLICE are seeking to reunite stolen jewellery worth over £1 million with its rightful owners after recovering the items during a proactive operation across London and the home counties.

The recovered collection includes identifiable pieces such as a World War One officer’s Rolex watch, a gold locket containing old pictures, an engraved gold ring, and an engraved gold pocket watch from Harlow Bros Ltd.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

FILE PHOTO: Entrance of Manston short-term holding centre for migrants, near Ramsgate in southeast England. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

AUTHORITIES have launched an investigation following reports that a racist message was broadcast over portable radios at an asylum processing centre in Kent.

The incident occurred at the Manston site, where small boat arrivals are processed by the Home Office and its contractor, Mitie, reported The Guardian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

Sri Lankan animal rights activists take part in a demonstration in Colombo on April 3, 2025, to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Narendra Modi. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

SRI LANKAN animal rights activists marched on Thursday (3) to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modi's visit, which begins on Friday (4).

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Explained: Impact of US tariffs on Indian exports

The United States has announced a 27 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.

Industry experts have said these duties will pose challenges for Indian exports, though India's position remains more favourable than some of its competitors.

Keep ReadingShow less