Tom Brake

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Tom Brake is the Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington.

He has a BSc (Hons) in Physics from Imperial College, London.[1]

Contents

Creationism

Brake signed Early Day Motion 2708 calling for schools to treat with caution creationist literature sent by the religious group 'Truth in Science'.[2]

MMR Vaccine

Tom Brake signed the February 2009 Early Day Motion 754: MMR Vaccine and the Media supporting the use of the MMR vaccine. The motion expressed disappointment with the reporting of the vaccine by Jeni Barnett on her LBC radio show in January 2009, and expressed the hope that future reporting of the issue of MMR would be less sensationalist and more evidence-based.[3]

Homeopathy

Brake signed a March 2007 Early Day Motion 1240 calling for the positive recognition of NHS homeopathic hospitals[4].

Abortion

In May 2008 in the abortion amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (now Act), Tom Brake voted to keep the current time limit of 24 weeks in line with the scientific and medical consensus[5].

Climate Change

In 2006, MPs were asked three questions by the Rough Guide's Mark Ellingham on how seriously they took climate change as politicians and as responsible, active citizens. Tom Brake replied:

"1: I agree with Sir David King, the Government's Scientific Advisor, Climate Change is the number one global concern.
2: Britain needs to take the lead by reducing carbon emissions by an average of 3% per annum.
3: Personally I am committed to reducing my emissions by 2: 0% and will do so by a range of measures including purchasing a more economical car, improving insulation in our home, buying low energy light bulbs, taking the train rather than flying on holiday."[6]

Science Funding

In October 2010, Tom Brake signed Early Day Motion 767: Science is Vital Campaign. The motion stated that the house "believes that continued investment in research is vital in order to meet the technological and social challenges of the 21st century, and to continue to attract high-tech industries to invest here; further believes that large cuts to science funding are a false economy, due to evidence that research investment fuels economic growth".[7]

Libel Law Reform

In January 2010, Tom Brake signed Early Day Motion 423 calling for a reform of the English libel law[8]. The motion noted that human rights activists, scientists, writers and journalists are currently prevented from publishing, and the public prevented from reading, matters of strong public interest due to the chilling effect of the law.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.tombrake.co.uk/pages/biography.html
  2. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2005-06/2708
  3. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2008-09/754
  4. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2006-07/1240
  5. ↑ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/1045/104502.htm
  6. ↑ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/climate-change-what-mps-think--a-to-c-424376.html
  7. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/767
  8. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2009-10/423

External Links


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