Simon Opher's 22 Early Day Motions
7th May 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 7th May 2025

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

Tabled by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
That this House recognises that Mental Health Awareness Week is between 12 and 19 May 2025; notes that the theme for this year is community; believes that being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing; further believes that people thrive when they have …
19 signatures
(Most recent: 16 May 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 10
Plaid Cymru: 4
Liberal Democrat: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Green Party: 1
Independent: 1
1st May 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 30th April 2025

Climate and Nature Bill

Tabled by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
That this House declared an environment and climate change emergency on 1 May 2019, recognising the urgent need for action; notes that the Second Reading debate of the Climate and Nature Bill was adjourned, but not concluded, on 24 January 2025; further notes that the Secretary of State for Environment, …
60 signatures
(Most recent: 15 May 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 35
Labour: 15
Plaid Cymru: 4
Green Party: 3
Independent: 1
Alliance: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
7th April 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 8th April 2025

Securing habitat for endangered swifts and other cavity nesting birds

Tabled by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
This House notes with concern the dramatic decline in the breeding population of swifts whose numbers have dropped by 60% since 1995; recognises that the loss of natural nesting habitat for swifts and other cavity nesting birds has meant that four species of these birds are now on the International …
35 signatures
(Most recent: 16 May 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 17
Liberal Democrat: 6
Plaid Cymru: 4
Green Party: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Independent: 1
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
Conservative: 1
Reform UK: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
7th April 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Monday 7th April 2025

International Day of the Midwife

Tabled by: Simon Opher (Labour - Stroud)
That this House recognises the International Day of the Midwife, on 5 May, along with its theme for 2025, ‘Midwives: critical in every crisis’; expresses its support for midwives in the United Kingdom and around the world for the vital contribution they make in providing care and support to women …
51 signatures
(Most recent: 7 May 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 25
Liberal Democrat: 10
Plaid Cymru: 4
Green Party: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Independent: 2
Conservative: 2
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Alliance: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
2nd April 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Thursday 3rd April 2025

Israeli Defence Force attacks on humanitarian workers

Tabled by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
That this House is deeply shocked by the killing of 15 paramedic and rescue workers in Gaza, whose bodies were discovered handcuffed in mass graves following an attack from the Israeli Defence Force; notes the statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemning the attack …
68 signatures
(Most recent: 1 May 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 49
Labour: 9
Plaid Cymru: 4
Independent: 3
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Green Party: 2
Scottish National Party: 1
12th March 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Wednesday 19th March 2025

Keeping transport workers safe

Tabled by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr)
That this House notes with concern the findings of the TSSA union’s latest report entitled Keep transport workers safe – no to abuse and harassment on the transport network; further notes that the report suggests violence and abuse directed at transport workers is endemic and that these workers regularly face …
44 signatures
(Most recent: 23 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 28
Independent: 6
Plaid Cymru: 4
Green Party: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Conservative: 1
7th March 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Tuesday 11th March 2025

Garforth Residents' Campaign Against Giggle Fibre Telegraph Pole Installations

Tabled by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East)
That this House congratulates Garforth residents for their campaign against the installation of telegraph poles in the area by Giggle Fibre against the wishes of residents; notes this area of Garforth has never previously had telegraph poles and that residents enjoy this aspect of the area and strongly wish to …
20 signatures
(Most recent: 11 Mar 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 17
Independent: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
27th February 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Monday 10th March 2025

Israel’s military presence in the West Bank

Tabled by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East)
That this House expresses alarm over the escalating Israeli military assaults across the illegally occupied West Bank, including the use of armoured tanks in Jenin for the first time since 2002; notes that since 21 January 2025, Israel has launched a major offensive resulting in the deaths of at least …
58 signatures
(Most recent: 8 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 34
Independent: 8
Scottish National Party: 6
Green Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Liberal Democrat: 1
Alliance: 1
25th February 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM as a sponsor on Thursday 27th February 2025

Western Gateway Rail Deal

Tabled by: Catherine Fookes (Labour - Monmouthshire)
That this House notes the publication of the Western Gateway Rail Deal, which sets out ways to capitalise on new funding to connect an extra 248,000 people to a new local train station across South Wales and Western England, including five new Burns Stations, which if delivered, could add £17bn …
6 signatures
(Most recent: 5 Mar 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 3
Liberal Democrat: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
2nd September 2024
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Monday 24th February 2025

Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

Tabled by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
That this House supports the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative; notes that the treaty initiative is a global effort to foster international cooperation to accelerate a transition to renewable energy, end the expansion of coal, oil and gas, and support an equitable phase out of existing production; believes that the …
37 signatures
(Most recent: 22 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 20
Green Party: 4
Scottish National Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Independent: 3
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
5th February 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Monday 10th February 2025

Proposals to forcibly displace and ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza

Tabled by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East)
That this House rejects the proposals for Gaza by President Trump on 4 February 2025; deplores the inhumanity and illegality of any efforts to forcibly displace and ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza; affirms the provisions of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, that individual or mass forcible transfers or …
59 signatures
(Most recent: 24 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 35
Independent: 8
Scottish National Party: 7
Plaid Cymru: 4
Green Party: 3
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Alliance: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
3rd December 2024
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Monday 3rd February 2025

Certificate of Common Sponsorship

Tabled by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
That this House believes that migrant health and care workers on Tier 2 visas play an essential role in the delivery of UK health and care services; recognises that current rules tie these workers to a single employer, and that if a worker loses their job they may face financial …
53 signatures
(Most recent: 24 Mar 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 34
Green Party: 4
Independent: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Scottish National Party: 3
Liberal Democrat: 2
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
20th January 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Thursday 23rd January 2025

Garforth Town AFC and grassroots community football

Tabled by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East)
That this House celebrates the work of volunteers at Garforth Town AFC, nicknamed the miners, at the Bannister Prentice Community Stadium; notes the positive impact that they make in ensuring this wonderful community football club keeps going, growing and thriving; sends condolences to the friends and family of Dennis Sanderson …
22 signatures
(Most recent: 29 Jan 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 15
Independent: 4
Scottish National Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Plaid Cymru: 1
13th January 2025
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Tuesday 14th January 2025

Right to protest outside the BBC

Tabled by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
That this House is alarmed by attempts by the Metropolitan Police to prevent an agreed march for Palestine from protesting at the BBC on 18 January 2025; notes the route for the march was confirmed with the police nearly two months ago and as agreed with them was publicly announced …
45 signatures
(Most recent: 22 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 26
Independent: 8
Scottish National Party: 6
Green Party: 3
Plaid Cymru: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
21st October 2024
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Thursday 9th January 2025

FareShare’s 30th anniversary

Tabled by: Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat - Bath)
That this House congratulates FareShare, the UK’s leading food redistribution charity, on its 30th anniversary; applauds FareShare for redistributing the equivalent of 135 million meals last year, equating to four meals per second, to over 8,000 frontline charities and community groups in almost every constituency across the UK; recognises the …
36 signatures
(Most recent: 2 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 14
Labour: 12
Green Party: 4
Independent: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Scottish National Party: 1
10th October 2024
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Monday 9th December 2024

UN Special Rapporteur's report on atrocity crimes in Iran

Tabled by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
That this House welcomes the landmark Atrocity Crimes report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, published by the OHCHR in July 2024, which sheds light on grave human rights violations, including the 1988 massacre of political prisoners; notes that the report states that …
110 signatures
(Most recent: 28 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 54
Labour: 30
Conservative: 6
Scottish National Party: 5
Green Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Independent: 3
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Traditional Unionist Voice: 1
11th November 2024
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Tuesday 12th November 2024

Work of St John Ambulance

Tabled by: Kirith Entwistle (Labour - Bolton North East)
That this House recognises the lifesaving work of St John Ambulance volunteers across the country, training 250,000 members of the public in first aid every year, providing event first aid cover at 11,000 events and delivering 4,000 hours of emergency support to the NHS per month as the nation’s ambulance …
48 signatures
(Most recent: 3 Dec 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 23
Liberal Democrat: 11
Plaid Cymru: 4
Green Party: 3
Conservative: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Independent: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
9th October 2024
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Tuesday 15th October 2024

UN’s resolution on Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and sanctions

Tabled by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East)
That this House welcomes the UN General Assembly’s decision to overwhelmingly adopt a resolution on 18 September calling for Israel to rapidly end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT); further welcomes that the UN resolution calls on states to comply with their obligations under international law and …
63 signatures
(Most recent: 14 May 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 36
Independent: 8
Scottish National Party: 8
Green Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Liberal Democrat: 2
Alliance: 1
8th October 2024
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Monday 14th October 2024

School nurses

Tabled by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
That this House recognises the tremendous work being done by public health school nurses; acknowledges they are the only health care professional who offer access to all school-aged children and young people in an evidenced-based programme of health promotion, prevention, protection and early intervention; notes that the number of school …
36 signatures
(Most recent: 20 Dec 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 19
Liberal Democrat: 7
Independent: 5
Green Party: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
11th September 2024
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Monday 7th October 2024

Pension credit threshold

Tabled by: Mike Amesbury (Independent - Runcorn and Helsby)
That this House notes that the current threshold of pension support to open the gate way of winter fuel allowance is too low; further notes the need to change the cliff-edge nature of the pension credit threshold; and calls upon the Government to capture the gateway support for those citizens …
34 signatures
(Most recent: 30 Oct 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 25
Independent: 4
Green Party: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
2nd September 2024
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Wednesday 4th September 2024

The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024

Tabled by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
That this House expresses its concern that The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 are being introduced without prior consultation or an impact assessment, nor with sufficient time to put in place a proper and effective take-up campaign for Pension Credit; notes this approach fails to take account for …
50 signatures
(Most recent: 30 Oct 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 25
Independent: 7
Scottish National Party: 7
Green Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Alliance: 1
22nd July 2024
Simon Opher signed this EDM on Monday 29th July 2024

Radiotherapy

Tabled by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
That this House recognises the value of radiotherapy as a key and lifesaving cancer treatment, necessary for around half of all cancer cures and as a highly effective, non-invasive treatment for patients; celebrates the invaluable contribution of the approximately 6,400-strong radiotherapy workforce who treat over 100,000 cancer patients in the …
56 signatures
(Most recent: 28 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 23
Liberal Democrat: 13
Independent: 6
Green Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Conservative: 3
Scottish National Party: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1