It is a sad day indeed for Barnet that our wonderful former Mayor Agnes Slocombe has passed away, just a month after being awarded her MBE She represented West Hendon ward from 1982 to 2018, and was the first black female Mayor in Barnet, serving in 1997-8. Rest in power Agnes.

Got to listen to the superb band of the household Cavalry at the City Hall Armed Forces Day flag raising ceremony.

Celebrated Armed Forces Day at the RAF museum in Hendon

Good to join the Somali Bravanese community today to hear about some of the issues faced by their members, including a need for more burial places.

I’ve been appointed as the chair of the audit committee of the NLWA. To chair one audit committee may be considered a misfortune, but two looks like carelessness! Anyway, I look forward to my new responsibilities! Here is a photo of me recycling!

Very moving service of remembrance this morning at St Paul’s Cathedral for the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre. I spoke to an East Finchley family and heard about how the experience of a grandmother still shapes the lives of her grandchildren.

Lovely to support Cllr Martin Whelton at his Mayoral reception in Pollards Hill. It’s his second stint, after a gap of 17 years. Wishing you all the best for your special year from all your friends in Barnet.

Visiting the London Festival of Architecture stall in East Finchley and donating my Pollinator Project plant to Kate Brown to plant in the community garden on East Finchley Station. 🌱

Lovely to see Dan Tomlinson MP at the Barnet Medieval Festival!

I am sending my best wishes to the LGBTQ+ community in East Finchley and across Barnet at the start of Pride Month.

Absolutely loving this book on Emperor Justinian. Such a titanic figure yet comparatively little known- and as far as I am aware never really committed to film or TV. He deserves so much more recognition than he currently has.

Thanks to the Wast Finchley SNT for joining me today to visit several locations where residents have complained about crime and antisocial behaviour.

Happy 60th Birthday to the London Borough of Barnet! Thank you to the Mayor Cllr Tony Vourou for hosting a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the creation of the modern London Boroughs, including Barnet. We were joined by past Mayors, our twin towns mayors and Councillors.

It was a real pleasure to attend the Borough Civic Dinner with representatives from our twin towns. These twinning arrangements are a reminder of the international ties we have, and the shared history we have with the rest of the world. Thank you Mayor Cllr Tony Vourou

Huge thank you to St Mary’s church in East Finchley for inviting Sarah Sackman MP, Cllr Alison Moore and I to your Sunday Mass so we could join you in celebrating the life of Pope Francis, and remembering his inspirational messages.

শুভ নববর্ষ!

Thanks to Sarah Sackman MP for inviting a group of Barnet Labour Councillors to Parliament for your event celebrating the contributions of Ukrainian people to Barnet and the excellent work of organisations helping people in Ukraine. Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦

#EidMubarak to my Muslim friends and colleagues.

Fantastic to see the new Phoenix Cinema second screen with Anne Clarke AM today, which I helped to fund with a contribution from Barnet Council The new seating in the main cinema is also utterly fabulous- the whole place looks so much better. Truly one of the Jewels of Barnet.

I have come to the conclusion the Templar knights were innocent.

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH

Today I start my campaign for more Toby Carveries in central and north London.

To mark my return to better (though not full) health I have visited the Toby Carvery in Snaresbrook!

An excellent summarion of this week’s budget in Barnet: barnetpost.co.uk/2025/03/06/l...

Ramadan Mubarak to London’s Muslim communities and Muslims across the UK! ☪️ May this holy month bring you peace, joy, and abundant blessings. London’s strength lies in our diverse communities. We will continue to support and celebrate one another. #Ramadan2025

What a day. Discovered a discount book store in Hemel Hempstead and bought 10 books on a 70% discount And on the way home I find a Toby Carvery!!!!

Today I attended a North London Waste Authority meeting. I asked about: ♻️ how our work to educate people to reduce waste and recycle more could be reflected in our accounts 🏢 identifying collection routes with low recycling rates 📑 making progress on our next audit

Congratulations to the wonderful Cllr Charlotte Daus on winning the Burnt Oak by election. Wishing her all the best with her new duties. As an experienced campaigner on housing issues and local activist she is an excellent champion for the people of Burnt Oak.

Did the romans store their documents in the icloudius?

East Finchley Councillors have welcomed more than 50 trees being planted in the ward during the summer of 2024 www.barnetlabour.org.uk/2025/02/11/e...

Incredible test win by Ireland!

Wonderful time at the toby carvery.

I told a dad joke so bad at work today that everyone left the room in disgust. 😔

Yesterday evening I met with the head of housing for Barnet Homes in East Finchley to speak about a number of local issues and pick up on a number of cases. Was pleased to hear that the Gracie House situation is now largely resolved and that resident feedback has been good.

Really good report by @ The Resolution Foundation this morning on BAME housing issues, with the ever impressive Florence Eshalomi MP responding as chair of the DCLG cttee.

Lots of meetings last night attended: 🏥 Stokes Court to talk about road safety and green spaces 🏢 The Old White Lion to hear residents views about the proposals for Park House 🏫 Tarling Road Hub to speak to the Somali Bravanese Welfare Assn about doing a surgery with them.

Yesterday I visited Finchley Reform Synagogue to take part in their annual #HolocaustMemorialDay workshops. It was moving to hear Eva Clarke speaking about the incredible story of her mother Anka Bergman, who gave birth to Eva at Mauthausen Concentration camp. A life of immense courage.

At overview and scrutiny committee. 🚎 supporting good public transport for all is not anti-car. 🚌 the superloop is great! Thanks @SadiqKhan can we extend it to East Finchley?! 2️⃣0️⃣ zones where residents want them is a good thing! 🚴🏻‍♂️ more and better cycle infrastructure.

Last night we celebrated the incredible life of Nicky Gavron at the Guildhall. The venue, turnout and tributes were befitting of someone who achieved so much and gave so much to London. Nicky’s legacy in biscuits was a lovely touch. ❤️

NEW Data released today shows the number of collisions on 20 and 30mph roads in Wales have decreased by 26% in the 1st year of the rollout of default 20mph speed limits in residential areas. There were also 28% fewer casualties compared to the previous year, the lowest since records began.

Asked Cllr Barry Rawlings about the risks to councils about the state of external auditor capacity. He has agreed to work with council leaders to raise this up the Governments agenda. #barnetfullcouncil

Honoured to pay tribute to the late Eva Greenspan at full council tonight. So many wonderful memories.

Wishing all celebrating a very happy Republic Day! 🇮🇳

Happy republic day! 🇮🇳

This morning I met residents of Huntingdon Road to talk about cycle hangars and road safety.

Incredibly thought provoking Holocaust Memorial Day at Middlesex university this afternoon. Especially hearing from survivor Peter Summerfield and his story. #HolocaustRemembranceDay

Visiting Briar Close this morning to take a list of defects and repairs that need to be taken up with the Home Group.

When Rachel Reeves became Chancellor, she discovered the true scale of the damage left behind by the Tories. That’s why she is focused on fixing the foundations of our economy to make working people better off.

I’ve spoken to @BarnetHomes colleagues about sprinklers being activated in Gracie House. Barnet Homes have distributed water to residents and are in touch with UKPN to scope the necessary works, which are being treated as urgent.

Please support the efforts to raise vital funds for the Gastroenterology department at Great Ormond Street Hospital by attending a comedy night at Alexandra Palace on Sunday 9th February. Tickets here: 👇🏽 www.alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/nor...