Wait is killing us

KIDS NEED ANOTHER HELPING Boris stalling abuse bill is unforgivable

BORIS Johnson might hope his shameless shutdown of Parliament will fast-track a Brexit deal – but his controlling behaviour has slowed down vital laws that could save lives.

Because if the five- week closure seems a long time in politics, it is an eternity when you are trapped in a violent, abusive relationship.

So much important work has been left to take a back seat while bombastic Johnson charges on with his own apparent election agenda.

Of 16 government bills that started their process through Parliament, only three were carried over by the PM, leaving 13 pieces of legislation to fall.

Among these was the long-awaited and desperately overdue Domestic Abuse Bill. This new legislation would offer greater support to victims, introduce an official definition of domestic abuse, including economic abuse, and would stop the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in court.

This bill was a commitment made by Theresa May in what turned out to be her only Queen’s Speech back in June 2017. It was cited by her ministers at its first reading, just two months ago, as landmark legislation.

But her commitment to the cause looks laughable now.

Who knew her worst day’s work would be carried out after she left her job as PM – when she handed a knighthood to Geoffrey Boycott, a man convicted of beating up his girlfriend?

Domestic violence- related killings in the UK hit a sickening five- year high last year, with EVERY summer, there are families around the country struggling to put extra food on the table when the free school meals stop for six weeks.

Two years ago, I started the Kids Lunch Club in Swansea East, providing free packed lunches and hot meals for the figures from 43 police forces revealing 173 deaths. But our current Prime Minister didn’t see it as a high enough priority to carry it over into the next parliamentary session.

Still dodging proper interviews, he announced on social media that his government is fully committed to tackling this crime, and legislation would be reintroduced in next month’s Queen’s Speech.

While I was pleased he confirmed it, it doesn’t alter the fact that having to start the

process again will slow down children of my constituency. Each year we have had more requests for help and this summer, over a four-week period, we served 12,000 meals.

It’s shameful that it has come to this – but I’m glad there are people who will step in and help, organising, making and its progression. Time is a luxury victims don’t have and this government must take responsibility. But can we believe a deceiver like Johnson will take his duty seriously?

Not only is he viewed as highly untrustworthy, he betrays a dismissive attitude towards women by adopting as insults demeaning expressions such as “girly swot” and “big girl’s blouse”?

While he manipulates the system for his gain, there are people desperate for new laws – women, men and kids suffering and dying in their own homes. When the Queen opens open the next session delivering the food and entertaining the kids. Thanks to 1st Choice Transport, The Hi-tide in Porthcawl, Denny’s and Mcdonald’s, we were able to offer some extra treats too.

And thanks to the kids for being wonderful. They shouldn’t have to go hungry. of Parliament on October 14, I hope he sticks to his word.

I admit I was encouraged this week by the appointment of Nicole Jacobs as t he f i rst Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales.

I dearly hope this is the first step in a complete overhaul of our approach.

The PM has made a promise and I’ll make him one as well. He will know from our previous encounters I don’t give up easily and he can rest assured I will not stop fighting for this bill until laws are in place that protect every victim and survivor of this awful crime.