Such naked denials of the Palestinian people’s right to statehood show why the UK and several allies’ recognition of a Palestinian state is so important - force has slowed but it cannot be allowed to permanently deny a path to a two state solution

From tomorrow, schools in Swansea West can book a free guided tour of Parliament with: ✅ A professional tour guide ✅ A workshop at Parliament's Education Centre ✅ 85% off travel costs for a coach or bus (up to £2,400) Places are limited so book fast! edubookings.parliament.uk/SignIn?Retur...

Yes thousands turned out - which is far more than I’d like - but that is dwarfed by the millions that understand real patriotism means loving your country as it actually is, not hating its diversity or trying to exploit its challenges. That’s what our flags actually represent

Thanks to everyone who turned up to the latest of my regular coffee mornings today. It was great to speak to so many from the local community, including councillor Fiona Gordon and Police and Community Support Officers.

We are out talking to residents year round - it’ll never be true you just see me and the @swanseawestclp.bsky.social team come election time. Sketty door-knocking last night and…

These Tory MPs are going to be furious when they find out who was in power when employment in offshore oil and gas HALVED between 2014 and 2023. The Conservatives are doubling down on being a cheap Reform tribute act rather than a serious party

Morning

Utter garbage. She was a prisoner, nothing political about it. Reasonable people can disagree on any given sentence but the facts are clear: - she incited serious violence - PM did exactly nothing - she went to jail because of what SHE did: committing a crime + pleading guilty

So Nigel Farage’s ‘new’ plan is in fact… Rishi Sunak’s old plan - which was exactly what caused the explosion in use of asylum hotels in the first place.

I'm a big fan of real ale - and there are more than 100 on offer at the 35th Swansea Bay Beer and Cider Festival. 🍻 Great to stop by Brangwyn Hall for a pint of Three Cliffs Gold (light beer not real ale, I know). Cheers.

Huge congratulations to everyone receiving their GCSE results today in Swansea. Today is an important opportunity to reflect on everything achieved in your education so far. Whether your next step is A-Levels or an apprenticeship, I hope you make the right choice for you.

Pensions: - there to ensure more people have a secure retirement - not there to support tax planning

We've got to be a country that builds things again.

Thanks to everyone who came to my surgery at Morriston Library. If you missed this one, don't worry - I hold surgeries regularly around Swansea. As ever, if there's anything I can help with, drop me a line at [email protected].

Sloth Coffee fuelled @swanseawestclp.bsky.social door knocking on Glanmor Road this morning. Anyone we missed or with casework can always email [email protected] to get in touch. Enjoy the weekend everyone

Remembering the sacrifice made by so many to protect our freedoms.

Today I visited St Helen's stadium, the historic home of Ospreys Rugby. The last two weeks have brought great news for the stadium, club and Swansea. But I'll keep working until its future is secure. 🏉🦅

Huge congratulations to everyone receiving their results today in Swansea. 🥳 Behind every result is years of hard work, including from teachers and support staff. If you haven't got the results you wanted, don't panic. You’re not alone and have more options than you think.

UK economy is growing after a decade & a half of stagnation. This matters - it’s growth in GDP/capita that raises wages & living standards. There’s much, much more to do to get bills down, pay up & to invest in this country’s future once again, but progress is underway www.ons.gov.uk/economy/gros...

I'm really sad to hear about the death of Hefin David. Shocking news, and a great loss for the community he served so passionately. My thoughts and deep sympathies go out to his wife Vikki and family. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Swansea Bay Business Club helps local business people to make connections. A pleasure to speak to their members on a recent sunny Friday - hoping the feeling was mutual despite the amount of charts presented. 📈📊 Thanks for having me! Photos: Diyan at Innovation Photography

Cornish cliff climb kind of day

Fantastic that Swansea Council have approved the redevelopment of St Helens. We still need certainty on the future of @ospreys . But the green-light on these plans will be a vital boost to professional and grassroots rugby in Swansea and beyond. www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/...

Really upsetting news from Sketty this morning. Members of the public have been asked to avoid the area, and Gower Road has been closed. My thoughts are with those affected, as well as the emergency service workers doing everything they can to help. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

🚨 Swansea West residents 🚨 I’ve launched a 60-Second Survey asking your top concerns about the community as well as what makes you most proud to live in Swansea. The results will guide my work over the next year. Let's gets things done. 👉 www.torstenbell.org/60-second-su...

Swansea’s waterways were central to our past prosperity. According to new research from @swanseauni.bsky.social and the Swansea Community Boat Trust, they could be again. I went to the report launch on the Copper Jack - good to see it covered today.

Tea break

My update from Port Talbot after Nigel Farage set out plans that would scrap thousands of jobs here 👇

Lovely to see Swansea full of very smart (and even prouder) families all week. Swansea University leavers: llongyfarchiadau. No one can take away what your hard work has achieved. And whether you stay in Swansea or not, I hope you tell the world of the beauty and talent in our city by the sea.

Just read this on the train. I’m a pensions geek but even if you’re not it’s very well written and easily accessible. And it’s IMPORTANT! I wish the Pensions Commission well and hope their work transcends party politics at all times.

Lons door-knocking in the sunshine kind of evening

We cannot allow tomorrow’s retirees to be poorer than today’s - which is what we are on track for. So we are reviving the Pensions Commission to set Britain on a different course www.gov.uk/government/n...

Today has rather proved populists have “no idea” how to fix things, falling apart the first time they’re asked a basic question. Proper politics is about long term answers to difficult challenges - like how to make sure today’s workers can look forward to a comfortable retirement

The last Labour govt laid the ground to get British workers pension saving again. But if we continue as we are tomorrow’s retirees will be poorer than today’s. So it’s time to finish the job - we’ll build a pensions system that’s strong, sustainable & fair www.ft.com/content/5208...

A rammed Saturday. Thanks to everyone that came to a great coffee morning discussion at the Pheonix Centre, and congrats to the Girls Friendly Society - celebrating their 150th Anniversary at Mayhill Community Centre. Two centres at the heart of their neighnourhoods

A railway test track with a view - that’s the vision for the Global Centre of Rail Excellence up the Swansea valley. Good to visit for an update. And a bonus to hear about the training they are now hosting, funded by the Port Talbot Transition Board www.gcre.wales

Great to hear about the incredible journey of The Secret Hospitality Group, now employing 350 people at 5 venues across Swansea Bay. Their partnership with Gower College is groundbreaking - a great opportunity for young people in Swansea.

35 million albums worldwide, 17 Grammy nominations… and now the big one. Getting involved with @swansofficial.bsky.social

Reform are against the 5,000 jobs in South Wales and energy security that floating offshore wind could support. And apparently now against… electricity, with this nuts letter opposing any cables, batteries, or in fact anything getting built

1970s employment rate: 72% Today’s employment rate: 75%

Our @swanseawestclp.bsky.social Saturday session was round the back of the Tabernacle in Morriston. Thanks to everyone who made the time to speak… especially in the 30 degree heat

Everything’s up and ready to welcome thousands for tomorrow’s Swansea Ironman 70.3 - good luck to everyone who’s entered. One year I’ll be brave/stupid enough…

Morning!

Massive congratulations to everyone involved in the Welsh amateur premier of Les Miserables tonight at Swansea Grand Theatre - it was phenomenal

A living legend returns to the home of legends past! Great to see Bob Dylan pay a visit to the home of his namesake Dylan Thomas. I hope he gets time to stop by the lovingly restored @dylanthomashome - a real gem of Swansea. www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/bob...

Great to meet the Nelson Trust's team in Swansea, to hear how they support women in our city and beyond. The support on offer isn't one-size-fits all, but anyone in need can expect a welcoming safe space with a washing machine and showers, and a passionate team that go the extra mile to help.

Sweatiest doorknocking for a while in Llanrumney this afternoon, with Lexi Pocknell. A brilliant local champion who I’m sure will be a brilliant councillor

So… the message is “vote Reform to rerun the Tory chaos of the last decade”. Impressively honest

We’ve opened the call for @britishacademy.bsky.social postdoctoral fellowships. We provide three years of funding for early career researchers in the humanities and social sciences to complete a significant piece of publishable research www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/post...

Your pension should work as hard as you do. That's why Labour is changing the way the pension system works - to get average earners more in retirement. Here's how.