Congratulations to @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social! Against all odds and billionaire-backed opponents, a democratic socialist has achieved a remarkable victory.

As the Hillsborough Bill passes its second reading and moves one step closer to becoming law, I want to share my most recent @leftlion.bsky.social column, which outlines why this legislation is so important.

Thinking of all those impacted by the horrific attack on an LNER train over the weekend, as the suspected attacker is charged with 10 counts of attempted murder this morning.

There are so many more stories to celebrate from our city’s Black community – past and present. As Black History Month draws to a close, I wanted to share a column I wrote for Left Lion a few years ago about the ways Black communities have shaped Nottingham:

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor being stripped of his royal titles and leaving the Royal Lodge in Windsor is a victory for his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, and Jeffrey Epstein’s victims. But this is far from the justice they deserve. [1/3]

We keep hearing about “difficult choices” to justify spending cuts. Real difficult choices are between heating and eating, paying your rent or your bills. The government can make another choice, and it’s not difficult: tax the super-rich.

I’m proud to be backing Andrea Egan for General Secretary of UNISON. She will fight tooth and nail for members, industrially and politically. Andrea’s pledge to take only the wage of a social worker means her pay will only rise when yours does.

Reports that the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan have executed over 2,000 unarmed civilians are harrowing. They are crimes against humanity. This government must stop all arms sales to the UAE, especially since evidence shows the RSF is using British military equipment on battlefields in Sudan.

As of this week, Awaab's Law is finally in force. Social landlords will now have to investigate damp and mould complaints within ten working days and make properties safe within five working days. They must also fix emergency health and safety hazards within 24 hours.

Israeli forces are still killing Palestinians in Gaza — many of whom are trying to return home near a line behind which Israeli troops have retreated. Israeli media is increasingly calling this line the “new border”. I asked the government how it will ensure that Israel does not seize half of Gaza:

Delighted to announce that I have joined the Women & Equalities Committee, alongside @kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social and Kevin McKenna MP. I’m looking forward to scrutinising the government’s work in this area and championing equality for women and marginalised groups.

As Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica, my thoughts are with all those facing the impact of this catastrophic Category 5 storm – likely the strongest in the island’s history. Many in my constituency have close family and friends there, and this will be a deeply distressing time for them.

A man in Walsall raped a Punjabi woman, calling her a "p*** b****", after following her home and breaking down her door. This act of sexual violence, fuelled by rising anti-immigrant hate, is a harrowing reminder of how misogyny and racism intertwine. We can’t tackle one without the other.

Young people with @gndrising.bsky.social are outside the Treasury this morning demanding Chancellor Reeves #TaxTheSuperRich with MPs @nadiawhittomemp.bsky.social & @sianberry.bsky.social!

The housing crisis started with Thatcher and it should end with this Labour government. Launch a mass social housing programme, scrap Right to Buy, and introduce rent controls. A secure home is a human right and the essential foundation for a decent life.

Last week, I joined the RMT rally against the government’s recent unfair and arbitrary changes to the Skilled Worker Visa rules. Hundreds of rail and Tube staff are being put at risk of deportation. They must be protected. Solidarity.

It’s disgraceful that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor continues to hold his titles and lives in an effectively taxpayer-subsidised mansion. This raises serious questions about how seriously our institutions take allegations of child sexual abuse.

Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel continues to kill Palestinians and block aid to Gaza. Our government must not look away while Israel continues its genocide, just at a slower rate. We must pressure Israel to abide by the ceasefire: stop arms sales, implement sanctions.

Happy Diwali, from my family to yours! 🪔 More than ever, we need a world where peace and freedom triumph over violence and injustice. So may this year’s holy festival fill our hearts with hope and remind us that even the smallest light can cast out darkness.

Last week, I joined Framework’s Street Outreach Team for a walk around the city centre. We discussed the need for further funding, and what the government must do to tackle the causes of homelessness and support the social housing sector.

Mandatory digital ID undermines our civil rights. It’s also divisive, expensive, and a distraction from the real issues: a cost of living crisis and soaring inequality. So why is the government steamrolling ahead? Has it learnt nothing from winter fuel and disability benefit cuts?

To see Palestinians and Israelis reunite with their families has been deeply moving. This must be the start of a process that ends Israel’s illegal occupation and punishes those responsible for war crimes. I asked the PM how he will ensure justice and self-determination for the Palestinian people.

Last week, I met with the Nottinghamshire Gardens Trust, a group that carries out vital work in conserving our county’s historic parks and gardens. We discussed the importance of the Trust remaining a statutory consultee in the planning process and protecting local green spaces.

Many women with low incomes struggle to access the mental health support they need. Nottingham Women's Centre is raising funds to provide free, life-changing specialist therapy for these women in our city. Donate to their campaign here: donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

To mark the beginning of Baby Loss Awareness Week yesterday, I visited Zephyr's - a community-focused charity that supports individuals affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby or child. If you’d like to help their cause, you can donate here: www.justgiving.com/charity/zeph...

My heart breaks watching people in Gaza celebrate a possible ceasefire deal, even while Israeli attacks continue. A ceasefire must be reached, and it must hold this time. Our government needs to put real pressure on Israel to ensure this happens. (1/2)

I wrote about why this Labour government needs to urgently U-turn on its immigration strategy and choose humanity over hate for @labouroutlook.bsky.social.

Robert Jenrick’s comments about Handsworth are a pathetic attempt to stoke hatred by invoking white supremacist tropes. Everywhere in the UK is worse off than it was 15 years ago. Why? Because of Tory austerity and local government ministers like Jenrick gutting council funding.

Calling out Reform’s racism will ring hollow while Labour offers watered-down versions of their migration policies. We can only prevent a Reform-led government if we do not allow migrants to be scapegoated for problems created by the super rich.

Almost 300 participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla are still detained by Israeli forces, who are reportedly subjecting activists to brutal physical and verbal abuse. This is not “a matter for the Israeli government”. It’s a violation of international law.

This should concern everyone. Protest is a cornerstone of our democracy - without it, we wouldn’t have the right to vote. We must protect it at all costs. After years of the Tories attacking our right to protest, this Labour government should strengthen our rights, not restrict them even further.

I am shocked and appalled by the arson attack on a mosque in Peacehaven, where two people were inside. No community should be terrorised for their faith or in their place of worship. At a time when Islamophobia hits record levels, we need urgent action from the top of government to confront it.

I'm horrified and sickened by the calculated attack on members of Heaton Park synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. My thoughts and solidarity are with the victims, their families, and the wider Jewish community as it continues to face violent antisemitism like this.

Israel has illegally intercepted and arrested the Global Sumud Flotilla. It is only because governments like ours continue to enable Israel that the flotilla had to sail.  Our government must stand up for those arrested and end its complicity in genocide once and for all.

G'mar chatima tova! Wishing Jewish communities in Nottingham and beyond a blessed and meaningful Yom Kippur.

75% of the UK public supports a wealth tax. We’re not "snake oil salesmen” - we’re telling the government to take a small, logical step to tackle criminal levels of inequality.

The PM was right to call Reform's plans to scrap Indefinite Leave to Remain racist. But if we force migrants to meet standards far beyond those who were born here, that is discriminatory too. Migrants shouldn't have to do a Duke of Edinburgh award to be able to stay in the UK.

Labour conference has passed a motion that recognises Israel’s genocide taking place in Gaza, and calls for the government to commit to a full arms embargo and end UK-Israeli military cooperation. Our members have taken a stand against genocide; now the government must too.

Why mandatory digital ID cards - a policy no one voted for - are an attack on civil liberties, won’t tackle irregular employment and will only play into Reform’s hands: 👇🏽

This is fantastic news for St Ann’s residents. As I said to Nottinghamshire Live, I hope this funding will have a lasting, positive impact on St Ann’s for many years to come, and I look forward to seeing the proposals that are put forward.

If we're going to reheat Blair-era policies, can we please focus on lifting children out of poverty? Instead of this divisive, authoritarian nonsense.

Ending this cruel Tory policy would lift 400,000 children out of poverty, and 700,000 children would be in less extreme poverty. It was always expected that the child poverty taskforce would recommend scrapping it. Our government must do so without further delay.

Trump’s Islamophobic comments about Sadiq Khan are dangerous and untrue. Khan is the mayor of our diverse capital, who has stood in solidarity with marginalised people in the face of bigotry. That’s exactly why Trump smeared him. Our government must reject his deliberate attempts to sow division.

The Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza was targeted with explosives, chemical agents and communications jamming off the coast of Greece, a violation of international law. The international community, including our government, must stand up to Israel and protect those on board.

I'm very relieved that British-Egyptian political prisoner Alaa Abd el-Fattah will be freed after six years in detention for sharing a Facebook post. This is the result of the tireless work of campaigners, including a hunger strike by his mother, Laila Soueif. So pleased for him and his family.

Farage’s plans to abolish Indefinite Leave to Remain would ruin lives and tear families apart. Rather than dismissing Reform’s xenophobic proposals as 'unrealistic' or 'unaffordable', our government should be clear that they are cruel and unjust. We must stand up for migrants' rights.

Wishing Jewish communities in Nottingham and beyond a happy Rosh Hashanah. Shana Tova to all those celebrating! 🍎🍯

Solidarity with @uonucu.bsky.social members who are striking against compulsory redundancies and job losses at the University of Nottingham. I urge the university’s leadership to come back to the table and work with staff to reach a fair settlement.

The recognition of Palestine is welcome, long overdue, and testament to the tirelessness of the Palestinian people. However, even more urgent is recognising the genocide and taking every action to stop it. That means ending all arms sales and military cooperation, and imposing sanctions.

Very few victims are told about restorative justice - an opportunity for the victim and the offender to share with each other how the crime has affected them - despite evidence in reducing reoffending. Jacob Dunne is leading a very important campaign. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...