An important series starting this week in @heraldscotland.bsky.social by @andrewlearmonth.bsky.social on defence and security and what it means for Scotland. Pleased to have contributed today on the threat we face from Russia and the grey conflict we are already in with Vladimir Putin.

Disability Labour members vote to nominate @lucympowell.bsky.social for the Labour Party Deputy Leadership Election The result of our member ballot- Lucy Powell - 60.1% Bridget Phillipson - 22.8%   No nomination should be made - 17.1%

Labour is at its best when we are clear about whose side we are on, and in whose interests we serve, when our values shine through. I want us to be clear that our objective is to lift children out of poverty and that will mean we need to lift the 2 child benefit cap www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Speaking to Nick Robinson for Political Thinking on why I’m standing to be a full time Deputy Leader - being clear about whose side we are on, being a bridge between the movement & leadership, lifting the two child limit, the atrocities in Gaza and telling a unifying story 👇

Defence is one of Scotland's most successful industries but the SNP chose to snub the sector's largest trade show. Wales and Northern Ireland governments were there while the SNP failed Scottish workers. All because of their childish policies. www.thetimes.com/article/0dc5...

"It's not my intention to fill the airwaves with a running commentary on the government…But equally I don't think we should shy away from having this conversation right now because clearly there are things that aren't working." 👇me @manchestereveningnews.co.uk t.co/Mll15mdfZI

The Armed Forces Commissioner will be vital to improving conditions the forces and their families. I ensured the Commissioner will be able to publish reports relevant to devolved topics and work with Holyrood to deliver changes. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Fascinating insights from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at @chathamhouse.org today. The threat the UK and NATO faces from Russia and others is real. We must respond accordingly to protect and deter. It was particularly interesting to hear of a growing NATO role in the High North and Arctic.

At PMQs I asked how the government can better support young people to give them the opportunities they deserve. @carnegieuk.bsky.social found that people under 49 were twice as likely to have been impacted by rising costs of living compared to 65+ youtu.be/25Ouqt8wOAU?...

Pleased to see more followup and attention on people living with Parkinsons and their families. I was very proud to lead the first ever substantive debate on this topic in the House of Commons Chamber recently.

We need to set the political battleground, not our opponents. People need to feel we are focussed on putting money in their pocket. We need to use language people understand and talk to them where they are. If we fail. We will lose. It's that simple. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

The UK Labour government has hired over 1500 new GPs in 6 months and is improving services in England. Meanwhile, the SNP are not hiring enough GPs and failing patients. A Scottish Labour government at Holyrood will finally improve GP services in Scotland. youtube.com/shorts/mry5v...

Read more about the work of @commonsproccom.parliament.uk which I chair. From proxy voting to the way in which select committee chairs get elected. We are busy reviewing the procedures of the House of Commons and, hopefully, recommending improvements! www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Our relationship with China will be vital to our economic future, but we must also be alive to security risks that come with a closer relationship that could undermine our critical national infrastructure. My piece on @lbc.co.uk www.lbc.co.uk/opinion/view...

A privelage to have Rachel Reeves at Rosyth Shipyard meeting local apprentices. These young staff are vital to the future of Scotland and the UK's economy as well as our defence and security. @scottishlabour.bsky.social and the Labour government will always support them and the work they do.

Happy World Book Day! Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success but almost 1 million children in the UK don’t have a book of their own. I met Publishers Association to hear what they are doing to support reading across the UK. #WorldBookDay

I was recently in Ukraine where I had to shelter from Russian drone and missile attacks, seeing first-hand the long-term impact this has on Ukrainian people who must do the same night after night. Governments should seriously consider #SkyShieldNow. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

The @UKLabour government is radically reforming apprenticeships to create jobs while the SNP flounder and stagnate. The SNP need to learn a lesson from the UK Labour government or we risk people in Scotland having fewer opportunities in future. youtube.com/shorts/cO-i5...

Pleased to speak on @thecourier.co.uk podcast about my recent trip to Ukraine, the resilience and determination of the people and what I think needs to happen next in order to protect and support them in their fight against Vladimir Putin. thestooshie.podbean.com/e/05-march/

The SNP must do more to support Scottish businesses so the defence sector here can do more to support Scottish workers and grow the Scottish economy. youtu.be/lHMjSp8sKXk #Ukraine #SlavaUkraïni

We need to show the public the scale of the threat we face from Russia. Defence spending has increased and may need to again soon. That will mean more difficult decisions on spending but make no mistake, we are in a conflict with Russia right now. youtu.be/LpTJwTqQ8h8?...

The correct decision by the Prime Minister. I returned from Ukraine today after seeing the threat the UK and the rest of Europe faces from Russia. We must work with our allies to make sure Europe can defend itself. This is not be the end of these discussions but it is the right start.

We need to be more alive to threats to the soft underbelly of our technological infrastructure and use that as an opportunity to grow our own domestic industry to protect our national security. @financialtimes.com @lucyfisher.ft.com on.ft.com/4157NkE

Great to be out with @graemedowniemp.bsky.social chatting with #Dunfermline residents about Labour’s New Deal for working people #MakeWorkPay

Another great morning speaking to people in Bellyeoman #Dunfermline this morning. People delighted the Labour Government's progress to #MakeWorkPay but we know we've so much more to do.

The UK Labour government has announced new apprenticeship to increase collaboration. In Scotland we have seen delays and freezes on apprenticeships. The SNP must follow Labour to give young people the opportunities they deserve. youtu.be/qLYpBoIYwY0

Dads want to play a full role in helping raise their children and supporting their partners. To make that a reality, that must be reflected in Paternity leave. @dadshiftuk.bsky.social www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/self-e...

Burns reception drop in with @melanieward.bsky.social this week to showcase some of the best produce Fife and Scotland has to offer to fellow MPs. Included fantastic tablet from Saline Sweet Treats and of course pies by Stephens Bakery!

By introducing an Assisted Dying Commission led by a High Court Judge & expert panels to oversee every decision, the safeguards of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill are enhanced further with a multidisciplinary layer of protection⬇️

Two more surgeries in #Dunfermline this morning. Busy sessions with issues including health, miners pensions, defence, community spending and the need to invest in local skills. Good to be joined by Cllr. Gordon Pryde at Tesco Fire Station before a second surgery at Carnegie Library.

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Today is Holocaust Memorial Day. We must pause to remember the six million people murdered by Nazi persecution. I was honoured to pay my respects and write in the Holocaust Memorial Book and ensure we build a future free from hatred. Never again.

Local media comes in to it's own in an emergency to keep people informed. Dunfermline Press and The Courier with live information on impact of #stormeowyn www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/2488160...

Red weather warning now issued for tomorrow covering Fife and other parts of Scotland. Please heed advice and stay safe. Please email me [email protected] if there is any damage we might be able to help with. www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/fife...

An excellent article by @graemedowniemp.bsky.social, I am proud to belong to a Labour Government that has achieved so much in such a short space of time.

Thanks to #Pitcorthie residents who took the time to chat with our local @scottishlabour.bsky.social MP & Cllr today about priorities for the community and for #Dunfermline

Great campaign session in Pitcorthie today with local Councillors and activists as well. We listen and we campaign all the time, not just at elections.

Reasonably chunky drop in gilt yields this morning. The GREAT PANIC of early 2025 has been wiped out.

A plea? A shot across the bow? Or simply what is plainly obvious? @graemedowniemp.bsky.social on why Labour needs to get its act together on comms. In a political world dominated by vibes,if you don’t tell a story that resonates and get it heard,you will fail. www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...

Thoughtful piece by @graemedowniemp.bsky.social on the failure of the Labour Government to articulate its vision although I would go much further and say the Labour Party messaging has been abysmal. We need better communicators at the heart of the UK Government. www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...

This government is making great progress but we need to tell our story better and more consistently. It's time to unashamedly say we are here to support the next generation.

This week I am as angry as I have been since I was elected. The cynical manipulation, misinformation and ego we have seen has damaged our politics and, most importantly, could have put children and young people at more risk. youtu.be/SatVLa9Wr3k?...

A reminder of what the Tories are going to try and block in the vote tonight.

Mental Health services in Fife are under pressure. Despite the UK Labour government delivering a record budget settlement for Scotland, NHS Fife have been told not to even bother asking for more funding to tackle this critical problem. youtu.be/7P9FeBMomyw?...

Yesterday I asked the Secretary of State for Defence for an update on the Submarine Decommissioning Programme. After a successful pilot on HMS Swiftsure, this project has the potential to support hundreds of jobs in at Rosyth in Dunfermline and Dollar. youtu.be/o8a1aE3Wv68?...

When you make Politico Playbook @ecasalicchio.bsky.social so early in the year but it's about food.... 😂 2025 giveth and 2025 taketh away already!

Family batch cook bolognase done for when Parliament returns. And of course, slow cooker chocolate brownies cooling for later tonight.

Fantastic family trip to The Alhambra Theatre today for the 2024 Panto, Jack and the Beanstalk. Kids had a great time dancing around, water sprayed at everyone and even some snow...

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. youtu.be/3jtfIe06fvQ?...

In the Scotland on Sunday on defence spending. we need to make sure we don’t see 2.5% as a ceiling. We need defence spending that is correct for the unstable world that we live in. @alexofbrown.bsky.social. www.scotsman.com/news/politic...