Happy New Year. My resolutions for 2026. I’ll work hard in our community to tackle the housing crisis, poverty & lack of investment in our public services. I’ll campaign for peace & justice for Palestinians & Ukrainians.I send my solidarity to the hunger strikers & their families

As always an excellently informative article by Naomi Klein.

In this interview I explain why I have supported the campaign to secure the freedom of Alaa Abd el Fattah from an Egyptian prison & his return to his family in Britain based upon the important role he has played in promoting human rights & civil liberties.

Wonderful news.The courageous campaign waged by Alaa’s mother & his family has succeeded in achieving his return to his family. Thanks also to ministers & policy advisers working behind the scenes to secure the freedom of this brave human rights campaigner www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

Thank you to @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social who spoke powerfully about the impact of the proposed reforms on children and young people in particular. McDonnell also rightfully noted the unacceptable use of language by some in power: "Some of the language used by Ministers has been a disgrace." 8/🧵

To break impasse in David Lammy refusing to meet representatives of the hunger strikers I’ve proposed he appoint a mediator to commence discussions with the hunger strikers’ representatives. For those of us who were around in early 1980s hunger strikes tragically we know how this could go.

After years of cuts inflicted on Hillingdon Council by Conservative governments & hitting the south of the borough hardest because of Tory councillors’ decisions, Labour has increased government support to our area by nearly 50%. We demand this is invested fairly across the borough.

Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary, has spoken of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. This week Shabana Mahmoud, Home Secretary, supported safe & legal routes for refugees. So I’ve tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the government to establish a safe & legal route for Sudan crisis.

Tony Vaughan is one of the new MPs elected for Labour last year & in his contributions to Commons debates has displayed a considered approach to issues. He’s certainly not what the media would call a”usual suspect.”I suspect he is reflecting here what many in the PLP feel.

There's a case for raising income tax to fund public services, but there's a much stronger case to tackle the cost of living crisis by clamping down on profiteering.

BREAKING 🚨 | @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social has signed our campaign calling on Bham City Council to end the Brum Bin Strike. @labouruk.bsky.social Councillors & MPs can add their support here: bit.ly/LabourEndTheBrumBinStrike #EndTheBrumBinStrike #StrikeMap #LabourEndTheBinStrike #Birmingham

He labelled parliament 'the national gasworks'... fb.watch/D2TMFe-Gt9/

MPs must use their power to ensure the party grassroots get a real choice – and a real debate about its future. There may not be one without it. My new piece for @theipaper.com inews.co.uk/opinion/labo...

We were saddened and angered to hear that the Windrush: Untold Stories portraits have been vandalised. We want to show solidarity and support the effort to restore them. Please consider donating, or sharing the crowdfunder. gofund.me/58fa13b4

My new column for @theipaper.com on why Labour MPs should still oppose the cuts to disability benefits "In what moral universe can it be wrong to take away that support from people in need today, but not for those in the same need tomorrow?"

On 14 June 2017, a fire at Grenfell Tower claimed the lives of 72 people. In the fight for justice, one thing is clear: England needs stronger corporate accountability laws. Here's what those laws should look like. 🧵 www.common-wealth.org/publications...

Tin eared response from Labour spokespeople to election results so far. Labour supporters feel Labour, their party, has turned its back on them citing Winter Fuel Allowance, NI tax on jobs & threat of disability cuts. Message to ministers is drop the plans to attack disabled.

Today, the #MakeEqualityReal campaign went to Parliament to hand in our petition and meet with MPs. ⏰It’s time for a commission to commence the socio-economic duty & help end austerity. Thank you @nadiawhittomemp.bsky.social for hosting and all the MPs that joined us. #AntiAusterity

Happy Versaikhi to all my Sikh constituents & Sikhs worldwide. Running late from speaking at online meeting to make Gurdwara but caught up with procession & met so many of my old Sikh friends and many young families. Wonderful & joyous occasion.

Facing a global downturn & potential economic slump any rumoured “reset” of Labour’s economic strategy must recognise that this is no time to be cutting the benefits to disabled people & the poorest when they will be the hardest hit in any recession. Halt the planned austerity measures.

The government’s plans to cut £5 billion from the support to disabled people will result in immense suffering &, as we’ve seen in the past, loss of life. I have asked Ministers what monitoring will take place & what level of suffering will force a change of their cuts policy.

'Targeting “cost savings” on disability benefits is not only immoral, it is the opposite of everything a Labour government is supposed to be.' My column for the @theipaper.com ... inews.co.uk/opinion/what...

Good to meet up with many of my friends in the Labour Animal Welfare Society campaigning with farmers to improve animal welfare standards.

"A decade of austerity hacked away local government finances, but demands on council services are rising due to an ageing population (social care), an unregulated housing market (emergency accommodation) & from increasing poverty (social services)" My @inews.co.uk column inews.co.uk/opinion/rais...

Guardian: UK high up in league of adenocarcinoma caused by air pollution.Quote from expert: “Yet still the government fails to take decisive action, just last week giving the go ahead to an additional runway at Heathrow which will undoubtedly increase air pollution”

On Falling - Watched this brilliant film produced by Sixteen Films, production company founded by Ken Loach & Rebecca O’Brien. Acting by Joana Santos & direction by Laura Carreira are superb. Please go & see it then join campaign for trade union rights. www.film-news.co.uk/review/UK/60...

It is heartening that the Labour Party’s Environment group has come out against the Chancellor’s plans for a 3rd runway at Heathrow. Letter from Labour's Environment Campaign - SERA Co-Chairs to Keir Starmer on growth - Labour's Environment Campaign - SERA uksera.nationbuilder.com/letter_from_...

I’ve listened to many of the Chancellor’s interviews on her 3rd runway & of the Prime Minister & ministers & I’ve struggled to hear a single word of sympathy for my constituents, who face being forced out of their homes & having their villages demolished. More than disappointing.

This fact packed analysis of our economy by Prem Sikka cuts through the narrow political debate that’s taking place at the moment & provides a truly informative argument for resetting the government’s approach. leftfootforward.org/2025/01/labo...

Missed Andrea Egan's Gen Sec Launch Livestream? Don't Panic! You can watch the recording on Andrea's YouTube channel! Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe and share! www.youtube.com/live/V0cQVhD...

Labour’s policy under Keir Starmer is to recognise the state of Palestine as part of the peace process. So I questioned the Foreign Secretary about how he will decide that the time is right. It’s clear to most that recognising Palestine now will help lay the foundations for peace and justice.

I am fearful of the calls for welfare cuts when we have 16 million people & 5 million children classified as living in poverty. This would play into the hands of Reform. We need to address the grotesque levels of inequality in our society.

Join me for my online launch of my campaign! 🎥 On January 15th, I will be launching my campaign to be UNISONs next General Secretary. Join the stream of this launch to watch it live, wherever you are! To get tickets scan the QR code or go to: bit.ly/4fOaxIB 1/3 🧵

My view on the threat posed to Labour by those in the party, who are undermining the party’s broad church. “There’s a threat lurking right underneath Labour’s nose – and it’s from the left.”

Please see this important announcement to protect people during this cold spell.

Just back from Hayes and Yeading United’s last game of 2024. A welcome 1-0 victory secured in the 87th minute against Sutton Common Rovers. Points gained by a determined team fighting to the end.

Labour MPs have headed home to try & get a Christmas break, many asking, after the marvellous relief only weeks ago of getting rid of the Tories, why are we so quickly alienating section after section of our support? This is an interesting commentary. bylinetimes.com/2024/12/20/k...

Any attempt by government to back a 3rd runway at Heathrow won’t just destroy every shred of its green credentials, it will provoke again the biggest environmental campaign this country has witnessed, making Heathrow the iconic battle ground of theclimate change threat. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I’m backing Sarah Owen’s Fireworks Bill to control the use of fireworks, especially to tackle the antisocial use of fireworks & the harm that is done to animals.