David's National Campaigns
That is who David is - a natural national campaigner, representing people and organisations!
Access to Work Cap Judicial Review
David took the Department for Works and Pension to the High Court via a judicial review process. With a full support from the EHRC, it took 2 years to fight through and through. The Government refused to stop introducing new Access to Work cap (£42,000 a year) that will affect many deaf and/or blind employees who heavily rely on everyday support at work, for example, Sign Language Interpreters and Blind Support Workers. David won the argument that led the Government increasing the cap by 1/3rd two weeks before the High Court hearing. This saved several thousands of deaf and blind employees from losing their jobs.
Access to the Elected Office for Disabled People
David’s first argument was in 1993, after discovering that former election law (dated 1790s) disallows some candidates to stand for elections – deaf people, people with mental health, and others. He presented his written case to the Home Affairs Select Committee questioning why he cannot stand for election despite his previous election as Borough Councillor in 1990. The Home Secretary responded in Parliament that it would be a test case, should someone wish to challenge David if he stood. David argued that the law is ancient, out-dated, and provides no funding for access needs for disabled candidates who want to stand for elections. This took David 20 years of continual fighting to eventually set up the Access Fund. In coalition, the Liberal Democrats agreed to introduce a new pilot scheme that successfully led hundreds of disabled people to stand for elections. However, Conservatives decided to close this Fund soon after the General Election 2015. David had to fight back by challenging the Government via a pre legal action, with support from More United. The Government backed off by setting up a temporary Fund that ended before the General Election 2019. David continued fighting again, now the Government’s Disability Action Plan recently accepted David’s argument by making plans to re-introduce a new Fund in 2025. This shows David’s resilience and continual hope for change. He strongly believes that everyone, all races, disabilities, and all who are under-represented, should be in Parliament! Parliament must be strong diverse, and inclusive to represent everyone!
David led British Sign Language (BSL) Act Now! Campaign
- David launched a BSL Act Now! Campaign on 18th March 2021, on that particular day as it was the 18th year since the Government recognised BSL as a language in its own right with a promise to look into the legal status of BSL.
- David brought a small team of volunteers to work with him in preparation for the BSL Act Now! Campaign to launch.
- The aim was to call BSL supporters to action by contacting their local MPs, requesting they introduce a BSL Bill through the Private Member’s Bill (May 2021).
- We started with nothing, sending out short campaign videos every week, and more and more supporters contacted their local MPs. We provided sample letters, steering them to meet local MPs, we did voluntary work, a team of volunteers grew to 69 regional volunteers, resulting nearly 90% of 650 MPs being contacted, and over 100 MPs met their local BSL supporters. 41 MPs agreed to support the cause.
- Many supporters reported conservative MPs dismissing their letters with a prepared party response. We had to find new ways of getting Conservative MPs to support a BSL Bill by providing sample letters and case stories; we built up a database of supporters, engaging with them to contact their local Conservative MPs again, primarily former Ministers, via video conferencing, David attended every meeting, supporting locals to explain and engage with their MPs. David also met with executive members of the Conservative Disability Group.
- As a result, many Tory MPs and CDG decided to contact the Minister saying they wanted to support a Bill.
- The Minister called David for a one-hour meeting with a Labour MP (20th MP) who agreed to introduce a BSL Bill. David was able to argue that the Equality Act 201- is not sufficient, giving case studies to highlight his case. The Minister’s view was changed, and government lawyers accepted the case.
- After further sensitive meetings with all party whips and government ministers, the bill passed through Parliament without opposition.
- We called in supporters to lobby at the 2nd and 3rd reading of the bill, with nearly 5000 showing up for the later showing the huge level of support for the bill.
- Finally, a new law was passed in the House of Lords in late April 2022 after the Lords, including the Minister, mentioned and thanked David in their speeches at the Lords.
As a result of this, our energy, money and resources were well spent, building from impossible to the possible, especially the first time in the Private Member’s Bill history, an opposition MP, 20th MP drawn, very little time to get her BSL Bill went all the way to become a law at the end! With the right team of dedicated volunteers believing in my national campaign, we won, making all the evenings, early mornings, weekends, fit in around work and families, worth it!
For more information and videos, visit BSL Act Now – British Deaf Association (bda.org.uk)
That is who David is - a natural national campaigner, representing people and organisations! Simply, David is what he is - resilient, not prepared to give up, as shown by his tireless campaigning for the BSL Act which many thought was impossible. David fought hard for 12 years, working with all the political parties, speaking at their conferences / seminars, meeting the ministers and shadow ministers, holding open meetings, getting petitions, attending TV interviews, calling for media to write stories.
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