Stop the war's Lindsey German writes on their website about “the growing drive to militarism and rearmament across Europe to which its leaders are now compulsively addicted.” Pathetic drivel. And Pat McFadden isn't Defence Secretary.

Truly shocking that Rachel Reeves had the audacity to call herself the U14 girls chess champions when she won the U14 girls chess championship but some bloke thought she was talking about something else.

Latest column assesses the ZZ Tops of politics and concludes that social democrats who understand that dangerous times require strong deterrence and a robust alliance need to win informed support in the Labour Party and more widely for Nato. www.progressivebritain.org/the-new-poli...

My new column concludes that Ukraine needs more of the same from the British government and public but Palestine and Israel deserve much better solidarity. Please share if you like.

Labour needs to stick to our guns and there’s a strong case for grassroots European networks to bolster collective security

Brian Wilson doesn't miss them and hit the wall in today's Scotsman. It's game on for 2026.

Kurdish achievements would not have happened without John Major. A fitting tribute to him would be a continuing interest by Conservative MPs in the plight and potential of Iraqi Kurdistan.

I visited Ranya last month to meet the Mayor and his aides who want us to understand this potentially existential exodus of entrepreneurs and workers

Impressive at the Cenotaph tonight. Let’s remember all those who fell in fighting fascism.

Should 🇬🇧 have a foreign policy doctrine? We asked 5 experts in today’s #BigAsk ✍️ @willfreer.bsky.social, @garykent.bsky.social @james-rogers.bsky.social, @gracetheodoulou.bsky.social, @rgwhitman.bsky.social #BritainsWorld

‘It is difficult to finalise a foreign policy doctrine in a world which is changing at such a frenetic and frightening pace. Progressive Realism will do just fine,’ argues @garykent.bsky.social, @progbrit.bsky.social #BritainsWorld #BigAsk

Personal news. After 40 visits to the Kurdistan Region (and Baghdad and Mosul) in two decades, I’m deeply honoured by this. The journey has been stimulating and enjoyable and isn’t entirely over.

My new column examines various Trumplications for Labour.

Top-quality childcare places boost children’s life chances and parent’s work choices! I’m delighted that two schools in Beckenham & Penge are amongst the first to get new school-based nurseries - and will support more schools to do so!

my step father will not shut up about it, I think it might be his favourite book about borders

A brilliant morning with @serailway.bsky.social to celebrate Clock House and Elmers End stations turning 161 years old! And it was great to see so many people thanking the wonderful staff who are an important part of our community. Looking forward to more #Railway200 celebrations soon!

Incredible atmosphere as London is awash with green for the St Patrick’s Day Parade! I’m proud to be London Irish, and to join our Mayor Sadiq Khan to celebrate the enormous contributions the Irish community make to our great city! Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! ☘️🇮🇪

Had a great time visiting the Beckenham Dementia Cafe at St Edmund’s Church today. The Cafe provides invaluable support and friendship for people living with dementia and their carers. All run by wonderful volunteers - and a very cute comfort dog!

Lots of teams out today in the Spring sun speaking to residents in West Wickham with a great response! Thanks to everyone who took the time to talk to us! ☀️🌹

Some tips on making meetings more interesting.

clever campaigning by the TUC here

🎾 A pleasure to spend the morning with Lucas De Gouveia from Beckenham - who at 14 is already representing GB in wheelchair tennis! I’m really proud of everything Lucas is achieving - and looking forward to supporting him to access more opportunities to play sport and excel!

It was an honour to re-open the Beckenham Library today with the Mayor of Bromley and my friend the Baroness of Beckenham, Floella Benjamin. Our refurbished library will be invaluable in promoting education and literacy, and building community. Delighted to see it reopen! 📚

Pleasure to meet Anthony Smith of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy which does great work as I have in the past seen in Iraqi Kurdistan. All power to his elbow.

👀 Would you like a sneak peek at our major new report on Brexit that’s launching tomorrow…? 📖 Have a read of our chapter on the 2016 EU referendum by @robfordmancs.bsky.social one of our fantastic expert contributors 👇 ukandeu.ac.uk/the-referend...

My latest column looks at some lessons from the Common Market referendum of 50 years ago and being on the losing side in two European polls. Feel free to repost www.progressivebritain.org/eurosceptici...

Great to meet students from St Anthony’s Primary School in Penge on their school trip to Parliament Also enjoyed a brilliant Q&A covering everything from education, the NHS to the very popular new 358 electric bus!

My latest column looks at social democracy in a dangerous world.

Happy New Year! 🎇🥳 The best fireworks we’ve had yet - with thanks to our Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan! #NewYearsEve #LondonFireworks

With my old friend Paul Richards respecting George Orwell outside the BBC.

🔎 Read the Christmas statement from @anandmenon.bsky.social on UK in a Changing Europe and its future 👇 ukandeu.ac.uk/announcement...

Proud to have voted to clean up our rivers and tackle illegal sewage dumping! Great work from our Environment Secretary and my neighbouring MP Steve Reed 🌊🌹

It truly is a perfect simplified explanation.

The impact of Trump on UK foreign and security policy.

We can’t be niave about what comes next in Syria, but it’s hard not to be moved watching Assad running for his life, his prisons emptying and Putin humiliated. A reminder that these brutal regimes that rule through fear are really afraid of their own people.

Bluesky wants to be “part of the conversation” in Westminster, as more MPs flock to the app Top Bluesky executive @rose.bsky.team told me about their plans for expansion and their “fundamentally different” approach to social media debate Plus lots of nuggets on changes Bluesky might have in store

This week I asked my first PMQ to recognise International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and ask the Prime Minister to back my campaign to tackle the sharp rise in Blue Badge theft. As the PM says, it’s a crime with a real human impact on some of the most vulnerable in society.

My top songs this year.

New data today shows Blue Badge theft has more than quadrupled in the past decade, with thousands of disabled people being targeted every year. Today I’ve launched a campaign to tackle it, and it was great to discuss it with Ed Balls & Susanna Reid on @goodmorningbritain.bsky.social this morning…

Book review - one for people who would want to understand the deep dyafunctions of Israeli politics in historical context, will satisfy less the appetite for pure rage and condemnation. www.theguardian.com/books/2024/n...

Congratulations to the pupils at Ravens Wood School who have raised over £5,000 for MovemberUK They’ve been running fundraising events and encouraging men & boys to be confident in talking about mental health. It was a pleasure to join them for their final event in West Wickham today!

A remarkable stat: Heidi Alexander’s appointment as Transport Secretary means the cabinet is now 100% state-educated for the first time in history.

SERBIA: Workers in Yura need fair wages and decent working conditions www.industriall-union.org/serbia-worke...

I play the Tom and Jerry theme in the style of the Russian classics. It’s been that kind of week.

What does she think Russia has been firing for the past 1001 days?

King’s Cross in the rain