London is the best city on the planet. All cities have challenges but only a complete idiot Farage/Reform type would call London “a dump”. I was back at the Tate today to see their summer family installation - ‘Thunder, crackle and magic’ and had a lot of fun meeting my doppleganger!

Southwark Council recognised for environmental work Good to see our local council receive recognition for some hard graft in a difficult area. Easy to bash the council after years of cuts from LibDem/Tory Governments, so it’s nice to see positive effort praised: southwarknews.co.uk/news/communi...

I’m looking for a Senior Caseworker to join my busy local team in Bermondsey. This position offers the opportunity to support our wonderful community. For full details, please visit: www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a... Please feel free to share with anyone who may be interested.

Labour are delivering our manifesto commitment

The borough police force closed their Seven Islands local base without finding an alternative site on the peninsula. I raised this issue in Parliament yesterday and hope for more news soon.

I'm pleased that the London Bridge Post Office branch on Borough High Street will now stay open, going forward as a new franchise. You can find out more about the changes in operation here: www.postofficeviews.co.uk/national-con...

I’m proud that Southwark’s Labour council has the largest council housebuilding programme in the country - doing our bit locally to get the 1.5 million new homes people chose in the 2024 Labour manifesto!

Its official - London is Europe's "best" city for the third year running! And I'm proud to know that Southwark has its share in the success with hotspots like Tower Bridge, the Tate Modern, Borough Market and Shakespeare's Globe. You can read the full article here: www.timeout.com/news/europes...

KFC employs over 200 local people in Southwark and are celebrating 60 years operating in the UK. I enjoy an occasional KFC (it’s finger lickin’ good!) and was pleased to meet them today to discuss their local and national work and hear more about their apprentice programme supporting young people.

Nice to be back in Southwark police station to see the council’s CCTV monitoring station. Some excellent work to try and help keep our community safe with a rolling program of camera upgrades and additional warden support in parks and on estates across the borough.

Happy St George's Day! St George's day is a great opportunity to support local events like the celebration at the Victoria Pub (Pages Walk, SE1 4HL) which kicks off at 12pm and boasts a free buffet from 5pm!

Great to be at Brookwood House, #SE1 for their Earth Day celebration yesterday - cheers for the cake too!

Join my team! I always try to provide opportunities for local people and I’m expanding my team. Please submit an application if you’d like to be considered for a new Communications Officer role or to be my Parliamentary Assistant. www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a... www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...

Good to see the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People to discuss welfare reform and how people in Southwark can benefit from additional work support. Under the mess left by the Tory/LibDem Coalition some people cannot work or take on more hours and I hope this is ended by the Government.

The last Government didn’t just ignore homelessness, Tory and Lib Dem Ministers exacerbated the housing crisis and oversaw a rise in homelessness. The charity ‘Crisis' published a new report on housing this week and it was useful to discuss the issues in their report, including homelessness.

Today the Health Secretary has announced the recruitment of 1,500 more GPs in the last 6 months which will make a real difference to treatment times and earlier interventions to save lives. I know waiting lists are being targeted locally and hope everyone can feel the NHS being restored to health!

It was useful to attend a roundtable discussion about how to improve access to HIV/AIDS healthcare. Tackling stigma and dismantling barriers to healthcare are crucial to meeting the Government’s aim of ending new HIV cases by 2030.

Great to be back at The Ministry today #SE1 to discuss their local operations and the Ministry of Sound. Southwark is lucky to have an amazing globally recognised club which 250,000 people enjoy every year.

The National Minimum Wage was a landmark achievement of the last Labour Government and transformed the world of work for the better. Labour are lifting both the minimum wage and living wage in line with our manifesto promises last July - making work pay.

Exploitative employers take advantage of vulnerable workers in industries like food delivery or beauty, where people smugglers can lure and take advantage of migrants. I'm pleased to see Labour taking action against illegal working by enforcing checks and fining employers that subvert UK law.

Time to spring forward with a Labour spring statement from the Chancellor today. With international insecurity caused by Putin’s war and Trump’s tariffs, this statement offers stability and security for the UK whilst the OBR says average families will be £500 a year better offer under Labour plans.

Today, I was taking to students at the Charter School as part of their ‘careers fair’ about my role. If you know someone who is a constituent and might benefit from an work experience opportunity then email me at: [email protected]

It was great to meet Sam today who founded the PureSound Network, an AI-powered platform that aims to link artists to more venues, concerts, and ways to advance their careers. I'm pleased to see an innovative use of AI that would enfranchise musicians and mitigate the financial burdens they face.

Record levels of fraud were recorded under the Tory Government - including covid fraud and in social security. The Labour Government is committed to reclaiming public funds lost to corruption under the Tories. I’ve been on a Bill Committee examining the issue that completed its work yesterday.

Labour is trying to fix public finances, public services and rebuild trust in Parliament and Government. Today, plans were announced to reduce unnecessary assessments for many disabled people - something I called for before being elected as Director of Policy at Disability Alliance.

To round off ‘Commonwealth Week’ I hosted parliamentarians from across the world in Southwark, including delegates from Sierra Leone, Canada, Malta, and The Gambia in Southwark today. I was proud to show off our community and especially St James' Primary School near my office.

Good to see the ‘CoppaFeel!’ crew in Parliament today - you may recognise them and their vehicles from Southwark as they’re based in Bermondsey. I lost my aunt Jill to breast cancer aged just 44 so please get checked and stay safe!

Proud to see a shift in workers’ rights in the UK. For too long rights have been eroded and companies have got away with poorly treating workers. Labour is the Party for all workers who should know we will uphold and extend rights.

Labour’s manifesto included a commitment to recruit more police and ensure they are more connected to their local community. Labour will help tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Southwark, including through new ‘Respect Orders’ to remove or detain people causing problems much faster.

Every second Monday in March marks ‘Commonwealth Day’ which is celebrated across the world. In the Commons Jo Cox’s shield reminds us we have ‘more in common’ and Commonwealth Day reflects this as an opportunity for us all to work constructively as a family of nations with shared values.

I'm pleased to see that air quality across London is getting better, especially here in Southwark, and forecasts indicate that ULEZ has put us on track to bring air pollution down to legal limits within a year - far faster than previously estimated.

Today is Ash Wednesday and we are also in the first week of Ramadan which means that the world's two largest religions have entered an important period of fasting and reflection. I'm marking 3 years having given up alcohol and admire all those who seek to abstain for a fixed or indefinite period.

To mark World Book Day I attended the Publishers’ Association drop-in in Parliament where we discussed how crucial reading is to help children succeed in life. It's not just about school work – the habit of reading for fun can make all the difference in a child's future.

The Tories (and LibDems in Coalition) allowed sewage into our rivers and colossal bonuses to water company execs. Labour promised to tackle the problems neglected by the previous Government. New laws are now in place, just 7 months into this Labour Government. Promises being delivered.

The UK stands with Ukraine and its democratically elected leader on the 3rd anniversary of Putin’s latest invasion. #SlavaUkraini #StandWithUkraine

Eastenders has hit 40 but Albert Square’s Queen Vic was a copy of the famous Bermondsey pub on Southwark Park Road. Drop in to see for yourself and mark the BBC soap’s big birthday!

Good to catch up with *the Billy Franks* of Billy Franks Bermondsey to discuss their local beef jerky and beer business along the famous Bermondsey Beer Mile. If any local business wants to chat or if I can help with any issues please do get in touch!

I’m pleased our Labour Government supports our NHS and is delivering ahead of schedule! I know how important the NHS is here and across the country. There’s more work to do, but I’m proud Southwark’s NHS - including Guy’s - is working hard to reduce backlogs and cut delays.

With love from me to you, to quote The Beatles!

Southwark Labour have built more council homes than any other borough or council in the country - and we finally have a Labour Government determined to build to scale nationally too! Such a breath of fresh air after 14 years of Tory housing failure, including 5 years of Coalition.

Today Facebook turns 21 and has changed dramatically from when I first joined. I am seeking the powers for the police and others to be able to compel all social media platforms to remove unlawful or unsafe content and hope Facebook listens before legislation is delivered.

Southwark has fewer police in 2024 after devastating LibDem/Tory Coalition cuts since 2010 sadly. But the new funding will help local police tackle issues like antisocial behaviour and crimes like phone snatching which are big issues in our community.

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, a time we stop and pause to remember the millions of lives lost during one of humanity’s darkest moments. We must continue to educate, empathise, and work towards a world that prevents such atrocities ever happening again.

Today is Blue Monday, often called the most depressing day of the year. Check in with friends please! If you need help today, find the Samaritans here: www.samaritans.org.

Great to catch up with Community Southwark today and discuss shared priorities and concerns, including commissioning of support for local people

Good to see SLAM Global again and discuss Sierra Leone. I continue to push for resolutions for both the Sierra Leone community here in London and back home to restore their democracy.

Great to meet Citizens UK again to discuss the issue of No Recourse to Public Funds. I signed up to their Citizenship Network to pledge support! You can find out more about their fantastic campaign at: citizensuk.org

Good to meet Priya the manager of the Borough High Street branch this morning with CWU and other reps to discuss the future of this local hub. I’ve helped prevent other Post Office closures and am disappointed that local people could lose this service as a result of management mistakes elsewhere.

Rotherhithe Community Kitchen are running a huge food bank TOMORROW 10am-6pm at the Silverlock TRA Hall, Canada Estate, Mayflower TRA, Peter Hills School & Neckinger TRA. Full info at: t.co/TRt800pAc2

It was great meeting National Energy Action representatives, who offer free energy advice. After years of austerity, their welcome help with accessing benefits, energy efficiency, budgeting & referrals to other support is very welcome. www.nea.org.uk/get-help