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  • UK Town of Culture Competition 2028

    • 21/01/2026
    • Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
    • Category: Local News, News
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    The first ever UK Town of Culture competition, announced by the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in October 2025 will celebrate the rich culture, history and identity of towns right across the UK.  I had the opportunity to speak with Ian Murray MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts (pictured) about the Leather Museum. The Minister

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  • Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments

    • 20/01/2026
    • Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
    • Category: News
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    This Bill will implement in UK law certain provisions of the treaty signed in May 2025 between the UK and Mauritius agreeing the status and future of the Chagos Archipelago, including the joint US–UK military base on Diego Garcia (the archipelago’s largest island). The UK currently administers the Chagos Archipelago as the British Indian Ocean

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  • Valerie Chairs Westminster Hall Debates

    • 20/01/2026
    • Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
    • Category: News
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    As a member of the Panel of Chairs, I chaired 2 debates in the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall on 20 January 2026 from 4pm. The debates were: 1. That this House has considered cultural opportunities in County Durham: moved by Mary Kelly Foy MP, it was responded to by The Vice-Chamberlain of His Majesty’s Household,

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  • Sentencing Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments

    • 20/01/2026
    • Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
    • Category: News
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    The Bill returned to the Commons from the Lords. It will make sentencing reforms in line with the recommendations made by the Independent Sentencing Review in May 2025. Chapter Five of the review -‘Taking a victim-centred approach’ recommended that the Government continues the provision of free copies of judge’s sentencing remarks to victims of Rape

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  • Valerie visits New Art Gallery for 75th Society of Artists Anniversary

    • 17/01/2026
    • Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
    • Category: Local News, News
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    I visited the exhibition at the New Art Gallery on Saturday 17 January 2026.  The Walsall Society of Artists was founded in 1949, with the aim to “help in the work of beautifying the town”. The Annual Exhibition is open until 15 February 2026.  I encourage you to visit the exhibition on the ground floor of the New Art

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