York MP to hold public meeting on ‘the tragedy in Afghanistan’

Rachael Maskell will hold a public meeting into what she described as the ‘the tragedy in Afghanistan’ next week.

The online meeting will take place on Wednesday 25 August at 7pm and is open to anyone in the York Central MP’s constituency.

“Over the last week I have been contacted by hundreds of constituents concerned about the situation and wanting York to play its full part,” Ms Maskell said.

“I want to hear from people about the actions they want Government and York to take and respond to questions people may have.”

The Labour MP said: “Women, children, activists and those who were part of building their society now risk being captured by the Taliban and fear for their futures.

“These tragic scenes were not inevitable. This humanitarian disaster is resultant of political failure as President Trump signed away their future in a shocking deal, and this Government failed to step in and rescue the situation, despite calls from Opposition Parties.

“The Foreign Secretary was away on holiday when the Afghan people were crying for help.

“We owe it to our Armed Forces and we owe it to the people of Afghanistan for the UK to step up and play its full part in welcoming refugees to the UK.

“To date, the Government have been woeful in their response, having cut aid to Afghanistan, even now below 2019 levels, and only offering a small number of people a safe place in the UK.

“I am proposing a Resettlement New Deal, which means we reach out with a resettlement scheme and support services, while also addressing the significant labour shortages in our economy.

“We need to be thinking strategically about how we make provision in this crisis, give people hope and a future, and also give people a real chance in life.”

To register interest in the Wednesday meeting contact the MP on 01904 623713 or email [email protected].

Anyone needing help due to friends and family being in Afghanistan is asked to contact her on the same number and email.