A Conservative peer from Harrogate has criticised the government’s Rwanda bill for creating a “legal fiction” that would “diminish our international reputation”,
The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill aims to override international law by saying Rwanda is a safe country where illegal migrants can be sent to have their asylum and human rights claims assessed.
Local Conservative MPs Andrew Jones, who represents Harrogate and Knaresborough, and Julian Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon, have both voted to support the Bill.
But Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate spoke out against it during a debate in the House of Lords on Monday.
He said:
“The Bill, as it stands, risks entangling us in a complex web of ethical and legal dilemmas that could diminish our international reputation, betray our duty to the genuine asylum seekers, undermine the rule of law and place our courts in an exceedingly difficult position. It risks creating a legislative or legal fiction.
“Let us be clear: the European Court of Human Rights is not a foreign court; it is a shared court.
“The UK was instrumental in its establishment and has significantly contributed to its jurisprudence. A British judge sits on the court and British lawyers are involved in its administration.”
The lawyer, who as Timothy Kirkhope served as an MP for Yorkshire and the Humber and an MEP for Leeds North East, added the bill “would place the UK in direct violation of its treaty obligations”, adding:
“How can the UK continue to be a global advocate for the rule of law—as many others have said—and honouring international commitments if this happens?”
“I am not alone in being perplexed by the inconsistencies that this policy and this Bill will introduce.”
Read more:
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Lord Kirkhope said the government had many tools to deal with the issue and “we simply need to know which tools to use and how to deploy them better”.
He went on to praise the government for reducing the number of small boat crossings by 36% compared to 2022 and said the number of staff working on asylum cases had “increased significantly, and 112,000 asylum cases were processed in 2023, the most in any year since 2002”.
Last year’s deal with France had “greatly enhanced co-operation”, he said, adding.
Review: The Woman in Black haunts York’s Grand Opera HouseKnaresborough health food shop under new ownership“All these tools—and a number of others—have been, and will continue to be, more effective in stopping the boats than these Rwanda proposals. The government should focus on these instead, and I believe the country would be grateful.
“My remarks today stem from a deep sense of regret and disappointment in witnessing how we have become embroiled in what can be described only as an unhealthy obsession with Rwanda.
“This fixation appears to be an attempt to satisfy certain factions and individuals, who seem to possess neither the depth of understanding nor the nuanced appreciation of the complexities involved in asylum and immigration matters.
“For them, nothing will be enough.”
A health food shop that has been operating in the centre of Knaresborough for 30 years has new owners.
Natural Choice in Market Place has been taken over by Healthy Stuff Group, which is an East Midlands-based business that operates a testing service for issues such as food allergies and iron deficiency.
This is the first of several planned high street stores by the new owners.
The Knaresborough shop will stock self-administered tests as well as wellbeing and health supplements.
Jason Wootton, chairman of Healthy Stuff Group, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be working with the team at Natural Choice which has been supporting the people of Knaresborough with their health and wellbeing for decades.
“Our tests, which are clinically proven and identical to those used by medical professionals, are in heavy demand, but we want to go one better and help the NHS by inviting people into our new store to take a test as part of a wraparound service involving face-to-face consultation and access to health and well-being products.
“We intend to support the company’s existing offering completely, but believe we can enhance the customer experience through our testing so they can gain valuable insights into which products will help them improve their health.”
The new owners said all staff had been retained and would be trained to assist customers in taking the tests in a new consultancy room.
The company said its move to physical stores followed a large increase in demand for its hair and finger-prick blood sample tests.
It attributed this to delays in seeing GPs and increased awareness of the ease and convenience of home testing following the widespread use of lateral flow tests during covid.
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CALLING ALL WOMEN! – A Gymophobics member’s story
This story is sponsored by Gymophobics Harrogate.
Jane, a member at Gymophobics Harrogate, told us about how going to the ladies-only gym changed her life for the better.
Gyms were always so intimidating to me and I was often confused about how to use the equipment. I never really felt sure about what I should be doing and there was no-one to ask!
A friend told me about Gymophobics and how it is a completely different gym experience just for women. So, I booked a free guest visit and went along.
My Guest Visit
I was greeted warmly by the staff and even offered a brew. They genuinely seemed interested in me and asked about what I’d like to achieve by coming to the gym.
I wanted to lose weight, tone up and feel fitter, but I also struggled with back pain and arthritis in my right knee.
The instructor instantly reassured me that they could help by creating a personal exercise programme that would be tailored toward achieving my goals, whilst also catering for my back and knee. It would also be reviewed regularly and adjusted as I progressed. Everything was explained so clearly that I started to feel excited as I began to see how I could really achieve something here!
How it works:
The gym consists of a 10-station circuit of easy-to-use, air-resistance exercise machines, designed to target the body’s major muscle groups. You start at the beginning and work your way around, getting a full-body workout in only 30 minutes. The basic science behind this is that the air-resistance exercise burns body fat, as well as tones, tightens and strengthens muscle, creating weight and inch loss and resulting in a better body shape – exactly what I’m looking for! Once you start the circuit, there is a signal that lets you know when it’s time to move onto the next machine, so you never have to think about what to do next and there is no waiting time for equipment.
Signing up and using the gym
It was a no-brainer! I booked my induction which included a full health-check. We also discussed nutrition and I was given a low-sugar healthy eating plan, optional weekly weigh-ins, and lots of dietary advice.
The instructor was so patient and supportive as she showed me how to safely use the equipment, using the best techniques. The whole experience felt very easy and comfortable.
I started going three times a week, as the 30-minute sessions could easily fit into my lifestyle. The circuit is also designed not to make you sweaty, so there is no need to shower or change afterwards, making each visit easily do-able.
The atmosphere is always friendly and relaxed, and the instructors continue to be attentive and encouraging.
Results
Since joining, I have lost two dress sizes and an overall 12 inches – six of those from my tummy and hips – which I have maintained for over a year now.
My back pain has also disappeared, and my arthritis no longer bothers me! When I first joined, I couldn’t even get up from the floor, but now I can do this easily!
Thank you, Gymophobics! You have quite literally changed my life!