We're delighted to announce Lord Bethell (Conservatives), Monica Harding MP (Liberal Democrats) and Steve Race MP (Labour) as our latest Parliamentary Champions.
Speaking on his announcement, Lord Bethell said:
“I am honoured to become a Parliamentary Champion for Action for ME and look forward to working closely with the charity to raise awareness of ME both in the House of Lords but also more widely across the country. I am eager to push for greater recognition of the challenges faced by people living with this illness.
Knowing people that have been affected by ME, and having been minister for long Covid, I believe that it is key to focus on the growth agenda and understand how it affects working people. With the Government’s renewed focus on growth, I believe it is crucial to address how much workforce absenteeism is linked with illnesses like ME and long Covid. Bringing the Treasury into the conversation around health policy is vital, and I’m keen to explore how I can help drive this agenda forward.
By working with Action for ME, I can help to advocate for further research and urgent Government action.”
Monica Harding MP also shared the following:
“I am honoured to become Action for ME's latest Parliamentary Champion and am excited to collaborate with the charity to raise awareness of ME in and beyond Westminster. As a new MP, I am committed to championing the needs of my constituents and all of those affected by this challenging illness across the UK, advocating for urgent Government action to improve their lives.
I believe a key priority for the Government must be to increase funding for research into ME and put it on par with other long-term conditions. Together, we can work towards a future where people with ME receive the recognition, respect, and support they deserve”.
With Steve Race MP saying:
“I am honoured to become a Parliamentary Champion for Action for ME and look forward to supporting their vital work raising greater awareness of and advocating for people with ME
The tragic passing of Maeve Boothby O’Neill, a young woman from Exeter who had severe ME, has brought to light the significant challenges faced by people living with ME within our healthcare system. Her inquest highlighted the urgent need for better understanding and specialist care for those living with ME.
I am committed to working with Action for ME to push for greater awareness and action, ensuring that the voices of ME patients are heard and that they receive the care and support they deserve.”
Our network of Parliamentary Champions are our 'go-to' individuals when engaging with Government and building support for our campaigns more broadly in Parliament and beyond.
Our champions are supportive of our work to create a world without ME and give a voice to the estimated 1.3m people in the UK who live with ME or ME-like symptoms, including post-exertional malaise.
Read more about the network, here.
