We celebrate achievements of All-party Parliamentary Group on Disability, and Marije Davidson’s contribution
As Marije Davidson, policy manager, takes her next career move, Baroness Jane Campbell says: ‘With Disability Rights UK’s continued high calibre servicing of this All-Party Group (APPDG), it has become the largest and most effective all-party group in Parliament. With DR UK and Marije's vision over the past three years we have been able to develop the APPDG significantly, encouraging other impairment and long-term conditions Groups to coalesce on disability policy matters which affect all their members regardless of disability. This has not only gained the attention of senior ministers but also raised the profile of disability rights in Parliament and therefore the ballot box! There is no more important time to support the continued success of the APPDG than now when disabled people face so many potential barriers ahead in the name of austerity. Without DR UK's continued dedication to Parliamentary lobbying on behalf of disabled people in Britain, our legislation would no doubt be weaker’.
The group, co-chaired by Baroness Campbell and Anne McGuire MP:
- Is productive: in 2013 to date it has held sessions on Personal Independence Payment, Equalities, Transport, Children and Families Bill and the Public Sector Duty. These enable peers and MPs to become better informed on issues on which legislation/policy is going through or expected, and to debate the provisions that would be most effective for disabled people. It has a strong plan for the rest of 2013-14 including the Care Bill, Access to Work, Disability Employment Strategy and Poverty.
- Brings disabled people’s voices into parliament – as speakers and as observers
- Raises and debates issues that are then taken forward in meetings with Ministers or debates in the Commons or Lords. For instance, Baroness Jane Campbell with colleagues - and with our input – secured the EHRC’s general duty under the Equality Act, against government plans; and secured far stronger provisions on portability in the Care Bill than predicted. Marije has worked with a core group of advisors and the Chairs of the group on legislative scrutiny and drafting amendments
- Is transparent – with large numbers of observers attending the open meetings
- Is outward looking. It has led the way in bringing together disability and health All-party groups to debate issues of common strategic interest, and widening influence.
Jane Campbell adds: ‘Goodbye Marije and may your replacement be up to for the challenges ahead! A very hard act to follow! Thank you so much and thank you DRUK for providing such an important service. Since taking over the Chair from Lord Ashley, later to be joined by Anne McGuire as co-chair, I have found Marije to be an invaluable source of support’.
Marije Davidson, Policy and Research Manager at Disability Rights UK, is moving to a new role at York St John University, as Equality and Diversity Advisor.