An MP who says she was hounded out of the SNP because of their “toxic bullying culture” and joined the Conservatives five months ago has been recognised with a major award.
Dr Lisa Cameron was made unwelcome by the Scottish nationalists and at one time forced to go into hiding because of death threats by SNP supporters but has now been welcomed with a lifetime achievement award for her work campaigning for disability rights.
After an extraordinary year which at one point saw her needing counselling because of her treatment by her former SNP colleagues, Dr Cameron has now been recognised for the important work she has carried out for many years to help some of the most vulnerable people in the country.
The East Kilbride MP is a medical professional and has chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for disability for nine years.
She was named as the winner of the lifetime achievement awards in the first annual Disability Entrepreneurship Lifetime Achievement Award from Universal Inclusion, which honours outstanding contributions and achievements of disabled entrepreneurs and advocates.
The award was presented by Minister for Disabled People, Mims Davies in the House of Commons last week.
Dr Cameron was selected for the first ever Disability Entrepreneurship Lifetime Achievement Award from Universal Inclusion. Universal Inclusion is a social impact organisation who work with businesses, academia and the public sector to develop comprehensive and inclusive solutions to barriers to entrepreneurship.
Jacqueline Winstanley, CEO of Universal Inclusion said: “We are thrilled to honour Dr Lisa Cameron MP with the Disability Entrepreneurship Lifetime Achievement Award. Lisa is a trailblazer who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and tenacity in breaking barriers, fostering inclusion, and driving positive change for disabled entrepreneurs.”
The MP has been instrumental on challenging both the public and private sector to take the next steps to reducing the UK’s Disability Employment gap from championing initiatives like the Disability Employment Charter and The Road to Wonder Report to leading the call to level up entrepreneurial opportunity for disabled people, Lisa’s dedication, resilience, and pioneering spirit have left an indelible mark on the disabled community.”
This is the first award of its kind in the UK and Universal Inclusion will be hosting a series of awards for disabled entrepreneurs. Those who would like to register their interest in nominating an entrepreneur as we celebrate the sustainable development goals should contact universal.inclusion@icloud.com for further details.
Dr Lisa Cameron MP said: “I am honoured to be receiving this award from Universal Inclusion. The United Kingdom has the potential to be the most entrepreneurial country in the world, but our missing link lies with the untapped talent within our most diverse communities.
“I am proud to have raised awareness of the talents of disabled entrepreneurs over the last 5 years as Chair of the APPG for Inclusive Entrepreneurship and yet there is still more work to be done. There should be no barriers to the creation of enterprise and innovation for disabled people and I look forward to continuing to call on both the public and private sector to level up entrepreneurial opportunity for disabled people.”
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Mims Davies MP said: “I’m thrilled to be able to present Lisa with the Disability Entrepreneurship Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of all she has done for disabled entrepreneurs in Westminster.
“Her Parliamentary work, alongside UK Government initiatives will continue to unlock the talent of thousands of disabled and neurodiverse entrepreneurs by identifying barriers they face.”