If you could propose a law in Parliament, what would it be?

In recent months, the Government has introduced laws to bolster workers’ rights, punish polluting water companies and protect our high streets from antisocial behaviour.

Recently, I supported the Crime and Policing Bill, which includes a swathe of measures against shoplifting and spiking, and creates a standalone criminal offence for the assault of a retail worker.

These laws have been presented by the government. Some MPs get the chance to introduce their own laws – but this depends on the luck of the draw.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have my name drawn in the random ballot twice. The first time, I proposed a law that would have compelled offenders to notify the police if they changed their name or contact details while serving a community or suspended sentence.

I am pleased to say the government incorporated this into the Crime and Policing Bill, which will help police in places like Newport, Blackwood and Risca to keep our communities safe.

I’ve been supporting animal welfare issues for a long time and I’m now proposing a law to ban the import of fur products into Britain. But let me be clear: fur is not just an issue for animals. It is an issue of our standing in the world, and our security.

It’s been two decades since we banned fur farming, and rightfully so – but it’s still legal to import the same products from overseas.

I remember the first time I saw pictures from a fur farm, of animals living in tiny wire cages, and I still find them just as upsetting today. Recently, I saw footage from a farm in Finland, of foxes with raw wounds, deformed feet, and infected eyes. There were obese ‘monster foxes’ – the result of selective breeding to increase yield. There is nothing natural or traditional about it.

Animal suffering is an emotive issue, and as a nation of animal lovers, we have a choice to stand against it. This country is home to the oldest animal charity in the world. Our parliament has the oldest cross-party animal welfare group. We have a proud history of leading the way on animal welfare and we can do it again. By shutting up shop on the fur trade, we can set an example for the rest of the world to follow.

But the first duty of any government is the nation’s security, and animal welfare is inextricably linked to human health. As investigations have shown, the appalling conditions on fur farms are perfect for viruses to mutate and spread. Covid-19 was identified on nearly 500 fur farms during the pandemic, and led governments in Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands to ban the practice.

The uncomfortable truth is this: as long as we allow the import of fur products into Britain, we are complicit both with the suffering of those animals and the risks that come with it. I say it’s time we stop exposing the country to this potential danger all for a bit of fashion – because no fur coat is worth that risk.