Statement from the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS on the announcement that Lord Speaker will be stepping down earlier than planned.

Statement from the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS on the announcement that Lord Speaker will be stepping down earlier than planned.

Today the Lord Speaker announced he will be stepping down early as Lord Speaker in the House of Lords to focus on campaigning on HIV/AIDS and other issues.  

Lord Speaker has been a long standing member of the APPG on HIV and AIDS.   In the 1980’s, as Health Secretary he launched the Don’t Die of Ignorance campaign in 1986, a campaign to educate people about HIV and AIDS. 

Around the world we have lost the lives of around 35 million people since the onset of that pandemic and tragically in 2019 we saw 1.7 million new transmissions and 690,000 deaths globally of a HIV and AIDS related illness. Moreover, there are examples beyond count of the persecution of LGBT people worldwide. As the APPG has reported there are a number of barriers stopping marginalised groups around the world accessing testing, prevention and HIV services.

We look forward to working with Lord Fowler to campaign to end new transmissions of HIV and to ensure a better quality of life for those living with HIV.

Stephen Doughty MP - Chair:

Since the 1980’s Lord Speaker has been a true friend to the APPG and the fight against HIV here in the UK and Globally.

He knew when he launched the Don’t Die of Ignorance campaign, that it was essential to educate people about HIV and AIDS as it was a killer.  Thankfully today with huge advances in testing and treatment we know that we can prevent new    infections.  We also know if someone living with HIV is on effective treatment, they Can’t Pass It On. But we still face huge challenges. 

We look forward to working with the Lord Speaker to ensure we end new transmissions of HIV by 2030, tackle the stigma around HIV and that people living with HIV have a better quality of life and that the UK continues to be a leader in the fight against HIV Globally.”

Baroness Barker MP – Vice Chair

“Lord Speaker has been a long standing member of the APPG on HIV and AIDS.  He has been a true fighter against the disease since the 1980’s.

We say welcome back Lord Speaker”

Lord Guy Black of Blackwood – Vice Chair

“Lord Speaker saw the impact first-hand and knew then the devastating impact that was portrayed in Channel 4 It’s A Sin.

I look forward to working with him on the APPG on ending new transmissions of HIV.”