It was a privilege to join friends and neighbours for Ipswich Mosque's community Iftar last night. I am so grateful for their warm welcome and hospitality. Now more than ever, we must look to bring people together, heal divisions and foster greater understanding.

I was so pleased to visit CHip in their new home. Vibrant, creative and trusted spaces like this are crucial. Credit to Dr Sachin Karale for being community minded and finding this solution. I'd encourage other landlords who own empty units to do the same and be part of the change for our town.

Despite the mizzly conditions, we had a great Ipswich Labour team meeting residents across South East Ipswich today. Potholes, anti-social behaviour, the Orwell Bridge, the town centre and home education were the issues raised with me. Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak to us.

I was delighted to bring Google Digital Garage to Ipswich. Free digital skills and AI training were provided to 50 local businesses and entrepreneurs, helping them understand new trends, tool up, attract new customers, and grow. A huge thank you to the University of Suffolk for hosting.

BTC ALL DAYER!!! Brighten the Corners' new FREE one-day festival in Ipswich on Sat 25 April! Local talent playing in pubs, venues and community spaces across the town centre. Can't. Wait. Credit to Ipswich Central for supporting this. Full info: www.brightenthecorners.co.uk/events/btc-a...

This is a good example of the important progress that is being made to tackle crime in Ipswich and Suffolk, but also the hard and often painstaking work often involved. The result? - 3 cannabis factories shut down - Seizure of cocaine with a street value of £1.5m - Prosecution of career criminals

I spoke to @itvanglia.bsky.social about our Government's proposed transformation of the broken SEND system. There is a lot of work ahead of us, and there is no instant magic bullet which will fix the multitude of challenges that face children and families, but things will get better.

Fixing the broken SEND system is deeply important to me. I spoke about it in my maiden speech in Parliament, and I've tried to do everything I can to support families in Suffolk for a decade. Today was just a first step, but for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful things will get better.

I often think about this front page. Families in Ipswich and Suffolk have been battling a broken SEND system for years and years. They were not heard. Today, that changes. We now have a generational opportunity to transform our SEND system so it finally works for families, not against them.

I will support any measures to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession.

For too long too many children haven’t had the support they need to succeed. That must change. Labour will transform our schools system so every child can achieve and thrive. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Good to see more pothole repairs following a big increase in funding from our Labour Government. However, there's still a lot of work to do - our roads are in a sorry state. With a record £219 million package, it's incumbent on Suffolk County Council to finally fix our crumbling roads.

A final call out for anyone wanting to join my latest community meeting on SEND. It is taking place tomorrow, Friday 20th February, 3.30pm-5pm. If you would like to attend, email [email protected] for more details including the venue. Please share with families who would be interested.

It's very disappointing that the Westgate Street post office will be closing in June. I'm looking to meet the Post Office ASAP to discuss their plans to reopen in a new location. Other town centre post offices in Fore Street and Carr Street remain open.

A reminder that I'll be hosting my next community meeting on SEND on Friday 20th February, 3.30pm-5pm. I want to hear your views about how to fix this broken system both locally and nationally. If you'd like to attend, please email [email protected] and you will be sent venue details.

Today marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. It is a time for reflection and renewal for Christians in Ipswich and across the world. It offers a reminder of what is really important, and I feel grateful to have spent a few days with my wonderful family this week.

My warmest wishes to the Muslim communities in Ipswich as Ramadan begins. I look forward to joining friends and neighbours at Ipswich Mosque's Community Iftar in March.

Thank you to everyone who attended my recent community meeting on SEND. I am hosting another on Friday 20th February, 3.30pm-5pm. I want to hear about your experiences and your thoughts on how we can fix this broken system. If you would like to attend, please email [email protected]

💔 Two weeks isn't enough. The UK has the worst paternity leave in Europe at two weeks on less than half the minimum wage, or nothing if you’re self-employed. We should have a system that supports equal parenting, so I've joined other Labour MPs in calling for better paternity leave.

💎 OPEN TODAY! 💎 Lovisa has opened its doors in Ipswich today. The global fashion jewellery brand joins Jamaica Blue in the old Grimwades building after it was left empty for a decade. Great job, Ipswich Borough Council - we will keep working to revitalise our town centre.

A beautiful sunny Valentine's Day Ipswich parkrun in Christchurch Park. Jade smashed it this morning. I did not. As ever, a huge thank you to all the volunteers who make this possible every Saturday.

I love visiting St Mark's Catholic Primary School. It has got great energy and the pupils always have brilliant questions and are so inquisitive. Thanks for having me.

I am hosting a community meeting on SEND tomorrow (11.30am-1pm) I want to hear about your experiences, and about how we can fix the problems affecting the SEND system in Ipswich and Suffolk. If you would like to attend, please email [email protected] and you will be sent venue details.

I've been talking to Minister Georgia Gould about SEND for some time and I'm grateful she came to Ipswich to speak with parents and teachers about their experiences. SEND is a national issue, but children and families in Suffolk have been failed for a decade. Thanks to the Willows for hosting us.

It's significant that our Government has written off more than £150 million of Suffolk County Council’s SEND debt. However, Suffolk County Council must take accountability for the years of failure they have overseen, and I know funding is just part of the story when it comes to this broken system.

Our Government's Local Power Plan is the biggest expansion of community-owned energy in our country’s history. It puts power back where it belongs: in the hands of local people. Finally, we have a government that trusts communities to shape their own futures. Me for @labourlist.bsky.social 👇

The Town Centre Greening project is another welcome development as we work to revive Ipswich. Investing in greener, healthier streets will help how our town looks and feels, but it will improve wellbeing, support local businesses, and create public spaces where people want to spend time.

We will be submitting Ipswich's City of Culture bid imminently. Thank you to everyone who is backing Ipswich. I'm so proud of how far we have come in such a short space of time, and I'm so excited about our future. Join nearly 2,000 other people and #BackTheBid: www.ipswich2029.com

Cancer outcomes in this country are not good enough. This must change. Our Government's National Cancer Plan will ensure earlier diagnosis, faster treatment and support to live well. My East Anglian Daily Times / Ipswich Star column.

Ken Weetch is Ipswich’s greatest MP. He was utterly dedicated to the town and is, rightly, revered by many. It is not often that an MP is described as a local hero and held in such high regard, but Ken is, and that is a testament of his service, character and decency.

I am so pleased that our Government has committed another significant amount of funding for St Elizabeth Hospice and East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. This will help improve facilities, upgrade equipment, and ensure their vital services can continue delivering outstanding care to families in need.

It's hard enough for young families to go through cancer treatment without having to worry about travel costs. That's why our Government has created a £10 million fund to pay for children and young people's travel. This is a small change, but one which will make such a difference to families.

I've just voted to lift 450,000 children out of poverty, including more than 3,000 children in Ipswich. That's the difference a Labour Government makes.

The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill is about making sure our young doctors have the opportunities to become our NHS' next generation. If we care about the future of our NHS, then we must care about the doctors in it, and we must care about the doctors who will sustain it.

This is one of Ipswich's most iconic buildings. It's why I contacted Suffolk County Council urging them to take action and repair the road outside. I'm pleased, following my representations, and those of Cancer Support Suffolk, Suffolk County Council has now agreed to carry out necessary works.

A lovely sunny morning speaking to local residents in Alexandra with the Ipswich Labour team. It was helpful to speak about issues ranging from Ipswich Hospital and the Northern Bypass, to littering and parking. Thank you to every one who took the time to speak to us.

Initiatives like Clear, Hold, Build and Operation Machinize are having a positive impact in Ipswich, and the Government's multi-million-pound uplift last year was very welcome. However, Suffolk has been poorly funded for over a decade, so the new police reforms must give us the resources we need.

Suffolk has always been critical in the defence of our country. From Bawdsey where the world’s first operational radar station was a decisive force in the Battle of Britain, to the air bases that have hosted generations of service personnel. We have an immense and proud history.

It was great to visit Reed in Partnership and Seetec recently, to learn more about the Government's Restart Scheme, which supports people in Ipswich and Suffolk back into work.

It was a pleasure to speak to local leaders about Ipswich's City of Culture bid. This is such an important moment for our town, and we want everyone to be part of it. There's not long to go before we formally submit our interest, so visit www.ipswich2029.com and #BackTheBid

Yesterday, during the debate on the Armed Forces Bill, I responded to President Trump's recent claims on Nato. 457 British troops died in Afghanistan, including Ipswich's Private Aaron McClure. He was just 19. Aaron's mother, Lorraine, was right to describe President Trump's comments as an insult.

🚌 More good news for Ipswich! 🚌 Last week, I joined @sizewellc.bsky.social as they unveiled their plans for a bus depot at Ransomes Europark. This development will create 400 jobs with 75% of the hires coming from the local area. This is why I fought so hard for this crucial project.

I'm delighted that Mid Suffolk and Babergh District Councils have both backed Ipswich's City of Culture bid. It shows this bid isn't just for people in Ipswich, but for everyone in Suffolk. You can #BackTheBid too. Register your support: www.ipswich2029.com #TeamIpswich2029 #CityOfCulture2029

Our Ipswich Labour team was out in Rushmere today talking to people about Labour's support for families. 🍎 New breakfast clubs 👩‍👦 Expanded free childcare 👕 Cutting uniform costs 🍽 More Free School Meals 🛑 Scrapping cruel two-child cap 🤝 Tackling the cost of living

🗡️ What a moment. The drama. It was such an amazing atmosphere at the Church last night, as over 100 people watched @thetraitors.bsky.social final together. Thank you to Ipswich Central and @btcipswich.bsky.social for hosting such a fun (and really tense) evening.

This week, I spoke in a debate about ADHD diagnosis. As I said in my speech, securing an ADHD diagnosis is an uphill battle, with people forced to battle a system that is stacked against them. But, for many people, receiving a diagnosis is not the end of the fight, it is the start of a new one.

A positive announcement as Greater Anglia makes a number of service improvements. For passengers in Ipswich, there will be extra morning and evening peak services to / from Cambridge. It is more good news for local rail users after regulated fares were frozen for the first time in 30 years.

This is a huge endorsement of Ipswich. Halo, one of the UK's biggest tech firms, is moving into the iconic Willis building. It's a real statement of intent, and the firm's move is another good news story when it comes to jobs and investment in our town.

People in Ipswich often talk about their frustration with pavement parking. It makes it difficult for people to get around safely. Wheelchair users or parents with a pram shouldn't be forced into the road. I'm pleased our Government is giving local councils the powers they need to tackle it.

Tech giants have a responsibility to make sure women and children are safe online. They have a legal duty to make sure that users are protected. If platforms like X won't act, then our Government will.