Transparency is critical, including for revealing foreign interference and protecting our country’s national interests. My comments on the sanctioning of two Brits who have worked to increase transparency and tackle disinformation.

2026 is going to be the year when Oxford and our country turn the corner. Happy new year to everyone in Oxford East.

Beautiful sunshine in Northway yesterday, out on the doorstep with @oxfordlabour.bsky.social ☀️ ❄️ Was great to see how Councillor James Taylor and his colleagues are delivering improvements for local residents 🌹

Wishing everyone in my constituency and beyond a happy and peaceful New Year. All the very best for 2026!

Young people are our future. Too many 16-24 year olds have been struggling to find a job, get into training, or continue their studies. Labour’s investing £820 million to help them out 🤝 1/2

I've travelled on the Westway Flyover many times on the Oxford Tube - but never met those who work and live under and around it. Thanks to the Westway Trust for a fascinating discussion about community and combatting inequality.

Proud to see The Labour Party's Employment Rights Bill became law earlier this month. This represents the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation #makeworkpay 🌹

From Barton to Blackbird Leys and Rose Hill to Risinghurst, I want to wish everyone in Oxford East (and beyond) a Very Merry Christmas!

What a pleasure to talk about my Christmas card competition on BBC Politics South recently. Huge congratulations to this year's winner Basil from John Henry Newman Primary, and a big thank you to all the primary school children who took part! 🎄💌

I know many residents are worried about the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters around Oxford. I raised this with the government recently, and I am glad to see Thames Valley Police has been taking extra enforcement action.

Labour’s animal strategy, published today, will safeguard animals 🐶 In the home 🐮 On the farm 🦊 In the wild Check it out, here: www.gov.uk/government/p...

It was such a pleasure to visit Oxford City Football Club and find out more about all the great work going on at the club: ⚽ Training, apprenticeships and kids’ and youth teams going from strength to strength 📖 Education and skills 💙 Support for local charities …and ofc great football!

Well done to Rose Hill Youth FC for such a fun and friendly Santa Run - all to raise funds for Helen and Douglas House. Great to see some festive (and unusual...!) Christmas costumes on display 🎄❄️☃️🌟

Brilliant to hear Britain will be rejoining Erasmus. This is a really huge win for young people up and down the country, opening up new opportunities to study and train abroad! 🇪🇺 🇬🇧

Experts have suggested the violence in Sudan could get even worse in the run-up to Xmas. My question on what more can be done to protect civilians:

It was great to welcome progressive politicians, thinkers and journalists from across Europe to Oxford. We discussed our shared challenges and opportunities, on issues from the cost of living to tech regulation and national security.

Homelessness is a huge problem in Oxford.  I'm pleased the Labour Government has recognised this - and backs action to get families out of unsuitable temporary accommodation.   Find more info about the new Homelessness Strategy here 👉 tinyurl.com/fz8y6vyh

After twenty years, BBC South's political correspondent Peter Henley is standing down. Sunday Politics won't be the same without him! 1/2

Our posties are working really hard in the run-up to Christmas 🎄 Big thanks to them for dealing with the Xmas spike in cards and parcels. It was also good to hear about new recruitment, when I visited the Central Oxford sorting office today.

There was lots of good cheer at Magdalen Road's Frost Fest, despite the rain! ☔️  Big thanks to all the businesses and organisations that took part: Pegasus Theatre, The Porch, Magic Cafe, Taste Tibet, Magdalen Arms, Green Routes Cafe, Oli's Thai, and Dave Seamer Entertainments

It was lovely to attend Age UK's Winter Fayre and find out about the great work being done to make our county far more dementia-friendly. You can find out more here: www.dementiaoxfordshire.org.uk

Firefighters are best placed to know the risks to their local communities. Like Oxfordshire County Labour Group, I want their voices to be heard. www.oxfordlabour.org.uk/oxfordshire-labour-stands-with-firefighters/

A youth council for Littlemore is such a brilliant idea - and now it's a reality! Well done to all the local schools who attended, their pupils for great participation, @TheOxfordAcad sixth formers who made everyone feel so welcome & Cllr Tiago Corais for all his work to promote this initiative.

The @oxfordlabour.bsky.social team are out on the #LabourDoorstep all year round, to hear residents’ concerns and act on them. Thanks to all who opened their doors to us (despite the rain!) in Wood Farm yesterday 🌹 ☔️ - as well as in St Clement's (in beautiful bright sunshine!) the week before 🌹 ☀️

Good to hear about the action the Government is taking against number plate theft. I know many Oxford residents have been worried about this as criminals have been using stolen plates to disguise other vehicles. 1/2

It was lovely to see a new event on Manzil Way today - the Cowley Road Winter Wonderland, organised by Mitch and his IRL Oxford team. If you fancy trying something different to usual for Cowley Road, it’s still open tonight, and tomorrow daytime as well. 🎸 🎤 🍔 🥢 🍻 🍵

Really good to visit the Portuguese Cafe, Khair Din Groceries and Butchers and Roundway Pharmacy with Cllr Chewe Munkonge today, @oxfordcitycouncil.bsky.social 's Small Business Champion. Roundway’s small businesses don’t just support our local economy- they’re a key part of our community. 1/2

📮Good news on the Headington Post Office 📮 Although sadly the Co-op branch will be closing its doors on 3 January 2026, Post Office Ltd have received interest in a new post office branch nearby.

Really pleased the government has published its Child Poverty Strategy today: ❤️ Lifting the two-child benefit cap, helping over 2,700 children in Oxford East 👶 Expanding childcare for families on UC 🛌 Support to stop children growing up in B&Bs 🍼 Helping parents save up to £500 on baby formula 1/2

🚨 Next Friday: Wood Farm Crime Surgery with Thames Valley Police 🚨 Join me, Thames Valley Police, and Cllrs Susan Brown, Liz Brighouse, and Mark Lygo to talk about crime and anti-social behaviour. We want to hear from you and push for action. 🗓️ Join us at Wood Farm Primary School’s Main Hall👇

Thanks to Daniel Zeichner for calling a debate on the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor. The Corridor has huge promise for our economy, jobs, science and culture - but plans must always be inclusive and put local people first.

Thank you to my constituents who took part in UK Parliament Week - 25 organisations in Oxford East signed up! They joined over 19,000 other schools, youth groups and community organisations to hold events exploring Parliament, what it does and the work we do as Members. #UKPW

Globally, debt is a huge problem - costing many countries more than they can spend on education and health. It was good to discuss with @cafod.bsky.social and actor Alex Macqueen (yes, Neil's dad in The Inbetweeners!) how the UK can push for more action on debt.

My letter to @royal-mail.bsky.social following the recently-released 'results' data on local performance:

From Awareness to Action: Let’s End New HIV Transmissions! We all have a role to play in stopping HIV. By raising awareness, supporting prevention, and ensuring access to treatment, we can achieve zero new transmissions. 💪 Together, we can make it happen. #WorldAIDSDay #EndHIV #HIVAwareness

Thank you to Thames Valley Police for meeting with me and local councillors Mike Rowley and Glynis Phillips in Barton today. 1/3

In today’s budget👇

Saw some impressive work at the Oxford Sudanese School at @Cheney_School at the weekend - including a lovely collaboration with @MultakaO It was also encouraging to see the support provided for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

🌊 The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme will make a huge difference for local people. My question to the Transport Secretary on how we can get the Kennington Bridge upgrade delivered to unlock OFAS 👇

A big thank you to all at the Helen & Douglas House Rose Hill shop for their Christmas Bonanza yesterday! The staff and volunteers work very hard to raise much-needed funds here; and the shop itself is a real community hub. Well done to all! 👏 👏

For the first time since the 1990s, The Labour Party is freezing national rail fares. That’s great news for Oxford’s commuters.

It was lovely having these amazing young people take part in my 2025 Autumn school!

Despite making up half the population, women remain underrepresented at every level of government. To mark #AskHerToStand Day, this is what inspired me to stand. @5050parliament.bsky.social #SignUpToStand #WhatDoYouStandFor #AHTS2025

I was pleased to be able to mention the great work going on at The Jungle in Templars Square, in Parliament.  This centre is providing support and companionship for many - including those seeking to recover from addiction.

We need to go further as millions continue to suffer in Sudan's war on civilians. My most recent question in Parliament to the Foreign Secretary on Sudan last week:

Even with intermittent rain there were lots of people dropping in to the stalls that were part of this month's “Vision Zero” event for road safety 1/2

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.  I’m delighted that one of our brilliant Oxford small businesses - Polish Kitchen - was at the Small Business reception at No 11 Downing Street.  Thanks to Rachel Reeves MP, Izabela Ochylski and all the other small biz people who attended.

It was lovely to chat with Blackbird Leys residents at the new breakfast at The Barn, set to happen every Monday from 8.30-10.30am.  Its open to all, free, and a great way to start the week!

The climate crisis already affects the UK: 📈 Spikes in food prices ⛈️ Record flooding 🚑 Heat-induced illness 🌊 Many Brits' families are experiencing extreme weather, from Bangladesh to Jamaica. It’s our biggest challenge... 1/3

The launch of Equinox was a critical moment for Oxford - for our businesses, universities and above all, people. Thanks to everyone involved in this important initiative to promote Oxford innovation - and ensure it’s equitable for all in our city.