If Angela Rayner gets this one decision wrong the consequences could be huge

Currently sitting in Angela Rayner's in-tray is a proposal for a new Chinese 'mega-embassy' on the site of the former Royal Mint in London. The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, will shortly have to decide whether to rubberstamp the plans in the face of significant opposition from politicians, human rights campaigners and nearby residents.
Allowing China to build a new embassy on the five-acre site opposite the Tower of London would no doubt boost UK/Chinese relations. If approved, the embassy would be the largest in Europe. But sanctioning its construction would also reward a regime which has shown open hostility to our country, its politicians and anyone that dares to question its global conduct.

The last Conservative government blocked the plans, but Labour seems keen to reach out to China to further build trade and investment relationships.

Tower Hamlets Borough Council refused to grant planning permission for the site, but at the end of last year, the Labour government intervened and overruled the local council's decision.

Concerns about the new building and its location include overseas dissidents fearing the embassy would be used to monitor their movements in the UK and would function as a base to further oppress their campaigning.
The site is also near sensitive data cables that run from the City of London - the UK's financial capital. China's recent behaviour towards the UK does not make comfortable reading.

There have been reports from security sources over the weekend that China could be using lamp posts around parliament to listen in on conversations.

They do this by tapping into the Chinese made parts that make up the smart technology that powers the lights. British politicians have also been warned that certain bars, pubs and park benches around Westminster may also be bugged.

Earlier this month, Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse was barred from entering Chinese-controlled Hong Kong to visit her newborn grandson.

No official reason was given, but the MP is a member of Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China. She suspects her involvement in the group and her scrutiny of China's record on democracy and human rights was behind the decision.
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