Oxford Vaccine Centre at the Kassam Stadium. Picture by Ed Nix AS figures reveal more than 400,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been delivered in Oxfordshire, MP Layla Moran has tabled a motion celebrating the country’s “outstanding” vaccine programme. Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, who last year called on the Government to take part in the EU vaccine scheme, has congratulated the NHS for its success in the vaccine programme. By contrast, EU members have lagged behind the UK and many face severe criticism at home for their delayed rollout. She said last year: “Working together with our neighbours will increase the chances of developing an effective vaccine and deploying it around Europe and the world as soon as possible.
THE Oxford vaccine chief has warned that “this is not the time to waver” over rare blood clots as coronavirus cases rise in Europe. Under-30s will now be offered an alternative jab to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine after regulators pointed to a one in a million chance of dying from a rare blood clot. However, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group Prof Andrew Pollard, wants the public to put its “confidence in the hands of the system.” He insisted the risks of rare blood clots were not as high as the risk posed by catching the virus and added: “The pandemic continues to be a huge threat to people throughout the world, and we continue with our mission to support global vaccination, not for profit, for the benefit of humanity.”
A DEBATE on free speech was denounced as an electioneering stunt by Conservative councillors, one of whom referred to being ‘figuratively stoned’ by the ‘church of woke’. As Oxfordshire County Councillors met for an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, Conservative councillor Arash Fatemian moved a motion for debate which suggested the council write to Oxford MP Layla Moran to say it was ‘profoundly disappointed’ to hear a view she expressed on free speech during a BBC Question Time debate. During the programme, Ms Moran, the Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, was asked about the education secretary Gavin Williamson’s plans to introduce ‘free speech champions’ in universities.
Banbury MP Victoria Prentis said she was deeply saddened by the news. In a statement, the Conservative MP said: I am deeply saddened by the passing of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip devoted his life to the service of our Queen and our country. My thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family at this time. And Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon wrote: So very sad to hear of the news of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s passing. My thoughts are with his family and especially the Queen. May he rest in peace.
Oxford City Amnesty International group is to take part in an online Festival of Social Justice featuring talks, music, debates and celebrations which will be streamed into people’s homes.
The Festival of Social Justice between April 16 and May 31 brings together 40 local Amnesty International groups across Central England in an exciting programme of events for all ages. These include speakers, music, poetry evenings, photography exhibitions, theatre, panel discussions and the chance for local activists to ‘stand’ on a virtual soapbox and share what social justice means to them.
The festival also involves other Amnesty International activist channels and many other community organisations – all participating to spread the word about social justice and human rights and to engage as many people as possible in campaigning actions.