Mike Freer handed return to government in justice role
Finchley and Golders Green MP is appointed parliamentary under secretary of state in the ministry of justice on same day barrister Sarah Sackman announces bid to stand as Labour candidate in seat
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer has been handed a return to government after been appointed parliamentary under secretary of state in the ministry of justice.
Freer had resigned from the Boris Johnson led government, having been minister for exports and minister for equalitesin July saying it hasbeen creating an “atmosphere of hostility for LGBT+ people”.
But his new role under Prime Minister Liz Truss was confirmed on Tuesday after King Charles III signed offa series of ministerial appointments.
Free had supported Truss during her leadership campaign declaring:”As the equalities minister reporting to her, she was entirely supportive of a fully inclusive ban on conversion therapy, entirely supportive of the Safe to be Me Conference, gave me her backing to a programme of cross government work to improve the day to day lives of LGBT+ people – healthcare (including trans healthcare), housing, crime, reviews of historic injustices.”
Confirmation of Freer’s role came on the same day as barrister Sarah Sackman, who is Jewish confirmed she had applied to be Labour’s next candidate for Finchley & Golders Green seat.
Sackman had previously stood against Freer in the 2015 general election, losing out to the Conservative representative by 5, 600 votes, in a poll in which both Tory and Labour candidates increased their vote share.
It's happening! I have applied today to be Labour’s next candidate for Finchley & Golders Green.
I've spent the last decade fighting for our communities, speaking truth to power & giving a voice to people who need it most.
Now I need your help to turn this seat red. pic.twitter.com/Bj255E7us2
— Sarah Sackman (@sarahsackman) September 20, 2022
The Jewish Labour Movement vice chair unveiled a slick online video to help boost her campaign to be selected by her local party for the seat, which included footage of her purchasing bread from Daniels bakery in Golders Green.
Human rights expert Sackman was quoted in the video saying:”I’ve spent the last decade fighting for our communities, speaking truth to power and giving a voice to people who need it most. Now I need your help to turn this seat red.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
