In the European Parliament, I am the Labour Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Vice Chair of the Human Rights SubCommittee. The European Union is developing a strong voice in global affairs, and these roles allow me to champion human rights and combat injustice wherever it is found in the world. The European Parliament has a long tradition for exerting political pressure on regimes through the world in defence of peace, democracy and human rights. Please click here to see my latest speeches in Parliament on Foreign Affairs topics.

I was also a member of the Development Committee and ACP Parliamentary Assembly. International aid is an issue I feel very strongly about and am able to use my position to influence. Whenever the opportunity arises, I like to get involved in promoting fair trade. For example I helped to organise an event in Norwich at which Waitrose shoppers were invited to meet representatives of African banana growers and find out about how they had adopted policies that supported their workforce and protected the environment ... and produced tasty bananas!