TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS' FESTIVAL

Early day motion 2084, tabled 13 July 2011 by Tony Lloyd (Labour). Signed by 53 members.

That this House looks forward to the TUC Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival on 15 to 17 July 2011; is shocked to learn that Maureen Lum, a grandmother and trade unionist from Australia, has been deported because her long-planned holiday in the UK included an hour's singing with the amateur Tasmanian Grass Roots choir at the Tolpuddle Festival; notes the irony that the choir sing songs re-telling the story of the six martyrs whose decision to form a union led to their transportation to Australia; believes this shameful incident highlights the ridiculous rules that require amateur performers to have a formal entertainment visa to enter the UK; and calls for an urgent review by the Home Office into these regulations.

Signatures by party: Labour 47, Liberal Democrat 4, Conservative 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.