🌹Labour Party Conference is coming soon! @thefabians.bsky.social will be delivering an exciting programme of receptions, panels and roundtables, exploring the big issues of our time. This conference will be hugely consequential. If you want to talk to us about an event, get in touch!

Well there's clearly a lot of policy discussion going on (!) But amongst it all, I've set out why Labour must build a more visible and accountable state, for @labourlist.bsky.social And yes it was an excuse bang on about buses - but not for long, I promise! labourlist.org/2026/05/visi...

And there it is...the devolution bill is an Act. Hard to comprehend how big a deal this is for devolution. It is huge step forward, and something many of us have been working toward for some time - not least the minister! @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social www.gov.uk/government/n...

Thought provoking reading by my colleague @sasjkia.bsky.social on how AI can transform the civil service

Excellent speeches too from Councillor Irene Robinson and @cllrmarcus.bsky.social - both of whom (like me) have lots of experience, both good and bad, of the private rented sector. Motion is carried. Such good news for private renters in Withington, and across our city. ❤️🌹

Labour's spring statement showed progress but Gorton & Denton proved people still feel the pinch and popular policies haven't cut through. I argue policy & narrative must work together, relentless delivery backing up a story proudly told at every turn 👇 leftfootforward.org/2026/03/fabi...

Labour is at risk of being ejected out of power by a populist wave from Reform and the Greens. So how should the party respond? I argue in my @labourlist.bsky.social column that Labour embrace its own authentic tradition of populism. labourlist.org/2026/03/ben-...

Today is Economy & Regeneration day at @mancitycouncil.bsky.social! Our Committee will discuss: 🏠 our housing services regulatory judgement 🏡 our Tenancy Strategy 📈 business support for Manchester businesses 🌳 growing and supporting the green economy.

Brilliant atmosphere as we gear up for the #labourdoorstep in Gorton & Denton today with our big union campaign day to get Labour's Angeliki Stogia elected. Labour strengthened rights to make work fairer, Reform voted to block them. Only Labour offer solidarity, instead of division with Reform.

It's Economy & Regeneration day at @mancitycouncil.bsky.social! Today our committee will discuss: 🏛️MCC's 2026/27 budget and how new investment will be spent in Growth & Development and Highways 🌆 MCR's evening & night-time economy 🏩 MCR's visitor economy & the ABID*

Enjoyed my first @thefabians.bsky.social Conference as a staff member this weekend. I met many members, thinkers & ministers enthusastic about renewing Britain. At our renewing local government session, I was privileged to introduced @allymcgovern.bsky.social, who's helping drive that renewal.

Many lessons from devolved governance in different countries: 1. Devolving is hard (eg France) 2. Coordination and respect are vital (eg Italy) 3. Fiscal devolution is essential (eg Germany) The Devolution Bill is England's chance to do this properly.

📢 New Year Conference: Renewing Britain PLUS... A very special guest keynote speaker. 👀 Want to know who it is? Get your ticket and find out on Saturday 24 January!

This is really good news - and timely after I pushed again at Economy and Regen Scrutiny for @mancitycouncil.bsky.social to have greater powers to tackle pavement parking. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @cllrmarcus.bsky.social @manchesterlabour.bsky.social @jeffsmithmp.bsky.social

This evening the Deansgate Labour team have been asking residents in Castlefield how they want Manchester City Council to invest the extra funding that our Government is allocating to Manchester.

New paper out today: How can we provide income security for the self-employed? Pleasure to work with @communityunion.bsky.social @prospectunion.bsky.social @bectu.bsky.social This paper sets out potential solutions for this vital group of people

Jeevun Sandher MP spoke on the BBC to say "I am really proud about the fact that the way I look has never made me feel any less British". He said that is not what Nigel Farage believed as a school child. It is not what Sarah Pochin believes today. x.com/JeevunSandhe...

2024 was quite a year for Manchester. From world class events, more jobs and a record number of council homes built. Here’s to making Manchester an even better city. The best place to grow up and get on- where everyone benefits from our growth.

The Sea Wall matters to Labour They are looking to Reform, but the government can win them back There should be a relentless focus on the cost of living But the Gov needs to show the country values the contribution that coastal communities make Read my column for @labourlist.bsky.social 👇

“This is a strong budget, grounded in Labour values.” Our General Secretary, @joedromey.bsky.social welcomes the budget and the Chancellor’s commitment to lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.

Today I have started my new role as a Senior Researcher at @thefabians.bsky.social I’m excited to get started developing new ideas and to continue (my longtime passion of) thinking about the future of the Left.

Happy to help you! It was not right and I'm glad it's now been postponed. Thanks for being such a great spot for getting a drink in town!

🎟️ Your new all-access consumer protection just dropped ✨ The Government is announcing today that ticket resellers will be BANNED from selling tickets above face value. We've been backing music fans and we'll see you on the barrier for these brand new protections 🫶

Today is Economy & Regeneration Committee at @ManCityCouncil. We’ll discuss: 🏬 the district centres programme including Chorlton, Wythenshawe Civic & Moston 🏗️ Victoria North & North Manchester General Hospital regeneration 🏚️ the strategy to deal with stubbornly empty homes.

The new Sainsbury’s Local on Deansgate, serving Castlefield is now open. Often when the new homes we need are built, residents ask us: Are we building the shops, schools, and doctors too? And the answer is is YES! We campaign for those things across the city centre.

Its Economy & Regeneration day at @mancitycouncil.bsky.social. We’ll discuss: 🌆 Core Cities’ work, including how cities are recovering economically post pandemic 🌃 Greater Manchester CA’s economic strategy & policies, & how these support Manchester 🏙️ Manchester’s economic success in recent years.

Wrote this piece with @cllrmarcus.bsky.social and @angelikistg.bsky.social about the importance of community ownership, following the motion we passed at Council earlier this year. @manchesterlabour.bsky.social

Out and about today with some helpers, talking to city centre residents about how @manchesterlabour.bsky.social is building more affordable housing, investing in cleaner streets, and how the government is advancing renters and leaseholders’ rights 🏡 🏗️ 🏘️

Today we lay bare a decade of broken promises as we reveal how the disparity in transport spending between the North & London has ballooned If the North had seen the same transport investment as London under the previous government, it would have received £140bn more

Analysis by @ipprnorth.bsky.social reveals the £140bn transport investment gap between the North and London over the last 14yrs. Long term investment in the North’s rail network, integrated with local transport & house building plans, is key to improving connectivity and boosting prosperity.

Had a useful site meeting with Network Rail today talking about the railways that criss cross the city centre. We discussed the remains of the old Roman Fort’s eastern wall, tucked away in Castlefield. I would love to see more made of the history of the wall!

In this #GAevent, we'll unpack the #SpendingReview's implications for the UK's transport system. Speakers: 🔸 @sophieoconnell.bsky.social , Green Alliance 🔸 Silviya Barrett, @bettertransport.bsky.social 🔸 @cllrmarcus.bsky.social , @ipprnorth.bsky.social 🔸 ‪Dan Simpson, @sustrans.bksy.social More ⬇️

Northern Appraisal Playbook launched: "...securing investment in the North is often held back by an appraisal process that does not fully capture all the benefits - especially wider economic, social, and environmental impacts. We've developed this playbook to help you overcome these challenges..."

In this online #GAevent, we'll unpack what the outcomes of the #SpendingReview mean for the UK's transport system. Speakers: 🔸 @sophieoconnell.bsky.social , Green Alliance 🔸 Silviya Barrett, @bettertransport.bsky.social 🔸 @cllrmarcus.bsky.social , @ipprnorth.bsky.social Register ⬇️

Enjoyed holding Deansgate & Piccadilly Labour’s first Pizza & Politics: How to solve Manchester’s housing crisis this evening.

So sunny that we forgot to take a picture! We’ve been out delivering our latest Councillors’ update this weekend 🌹

It is Economy & Regeneration day at @mancitycouncil.bsky.social. At 10am, our committee will discuss: 🏗️ the emerging Manchester local plan 💻 Manchester’s digital strategy 💷 fairer access to finance for Manchester residents 🏡 governance of council-owned homes

Today is Economy & Regeneration Committee at @mancitycouncil.bsky.social We discussed: 📊 the Council’s overall budget position 🏗️ the growth & development and highways budgets 👩‍🎓 the economic contribution of Manchester’s universities 🎭 the annual culture update.

Given the chance, our communities step up and can revitalise our shared spaces. That’s why I seconded @crispeater.bsky.social motion to Manchester City Council on community ownership. With @coopparty.party.coop colleagues, we argued for helping communities wield new ownership powers.

Proud to have passed a motion on community ownership, to empower our communities and help achieve Labour government ambitions to double the size of the co-operative sector. Thank you Cllrs @cllrmarcus.bsky.social @angelikistg.bsky.social and Garry Bridges for your support. @coopparty.party.coop

The producers have, I think, ruined this last episode of the Traitors with the Seer twist and how they executed it. They shouldn’t have revealed who got the power, who they picked, and it should have been done before the final roundtable where the outcome is revealed imo 🤷🏼‍♂️

Thanks @lgalabour.bsky.social for putting on this really insightful programme, and to all the great colleagues who took part with me. I learnt as much from them as the training sessions! I feel really lucky to have learnt so much on the Next Generation Programme #NG18

Today is Economy & Regeneration Committee at @mancitycouncil.bsky.social. We discussed: 🚄 future of railways in & around Manchester 🚌 public opinion on improving journeys 🚗 road safety strategy 🅿️ managing parking Find papers & watch our discussion at: democracy.manchester.gov.uk/ieListDocume...

Shocking that less than 20% of the “Levelling Up Fund” actually got spent. The new government’s intention to end the wasteful use of short term competitive funding will be better for taxpayers and local communities.

According to new Freedom of Information Requests I’ve shared with the Guardian, only 24 per cent of the combined £10.6 billion from the Levelling Up Fund, Shared Prosperity Fund and Towns Fund was spent under the Conservatives: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Supporting the motion to save post offices in Harpurhey & Didsbury, my ward colleague Cllr Anthony McCaul is describing the shameful closure of the Spring Gardens Post Office earlier this year by the Post Office and how this impacts on residents and business across the city centre, and beyond.

This Sunday is World AIDS Day - when we remember those living with and lost to HIV. At Council today, we are wearing red ribbons as a mark of respect. You can donate to support prevention and support work (check the banner below!)