I am immensely disappointed that the Government has today scrapped permanent refugee status. Refugees will now face reviews every 30 months and be forced to return if their country is deemed 'safe'. We know that countries listed as 'safe' aren't safe for everybody, particularly LGBTQ+ refugees.

British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and UAE can register their presence to receive direct updates from the FCDO on the situation in the Middle East.

93 MPs have signed the #RepairReuseDeclaration 🎉⁠ Our latest support comes from Brian Leishman, Martin Rhodes, @ruthjoneslabour.bsky.social @alexsobel.co.uk @jessasatomp.bsky.social @chriscoghlanmp.bsky.social @mp4stratford.bsky.social and @joshuareynoldssl6.bsky.social 🔧

Great to visit the Witness whilst she was docked in London! The Witness is the newest and greenest vessel in the Greenpeace fleet, with solar panels and wind turbines, and she has travelled all over the world working on their campaigns, from Argentina to the Arctic. #Greenpeace #Climate

People on the plan 2 student loan are being outrageously scammed with unattainable debt levels and interest rates on their student loans. Labour have committed to looking at ways to make the system fairer. I will continue to push for this in my role as Co-Chair of the Students group in Parliament.

Today is 1,462 days since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Twelve years since Russia’s invasion of Crimea, which many would say was when the war truly began. Years of Ukrainian endurance and resilience, defending Europe’s frontier.

The UN Tax Convention is a crucial opportunity for the UK to raise billions in revenue, and reinstate its role and responsibility as a global leader in tackling international tax abuse. #MakePollutersPay

This marks a major step forward for workers’ rights. Unions can now spend more time fighting for better jobs, better pay, and better conditions - after most of the Tories’ Trade Union Act is repealed. 📝❌🌹✊

"If we don’t resist, act and legislate now, how can we ever expect to live in a legitimate democracy?” @alexsobel.co.uk

The era of two-party politics is over. Under First Past the Post, this means: ❌ MPs most constituents didn't vote for ❌ Single-party governments that most of the country never wanted @appgfairelections.bsky.social Chair @alexsobel.co.uk is right: this is not a way to run a democracy.

I was truly honoured to receive the @coopparty.party.coop Parliamentary Ally award. Equality and dignity should never be optional extras, they are fundamental rights.

It's a very important time of year for many communities in Leeds. Ramadan Mubarak and a happy Lunar New Year to all those who observe.

Leeds has the highest neonatal mortality rate in the UK, 70% higher than the average rate for comparable NHS trusts. This is not an issue for individual maternity units. This should be taken on by the chief executive and those at the highest level in teaching hospitals. #BabyLoss

There is an inherent issue of fairness in retrospectively making changes for Indefinite Leave to Remain from a five-year to a ten-year programme. At the very least, the Government should have transitional protections. #IndefiniteLeaveToRemain #ILR

"Fragmentation of the electorate reached breaking point in May’s local elections – with winners elected on as little as 19% of the vote – and since then polling has moved ever deeper into uncharted territory" said @alexsobel.co.uk. @makevotesmatter.bsky.social www.politicshome.com/news/article...

The Representation of the People Bill is a good start, but doesn't go nearly far enough. First Past the Post leaves millions unfairly shut out of democracy. #Democracy #ElectoralReform

3/ 🗣️ Meanwhile @alexsobel.co.uk , Chair of our friends at the APPG on Fair Elections and the APPG on Ukraine, recommended a raft of measures for the Bill. ❌ These include a ban on all overseas donations and tighter rules around disinformation.

The Gov have just announced major reforms to our democracy with the draft Representation of the People Bill, aiming to protect against foreign interference & empower young people. I've long been pushing for these changes. Here's what I want to see in the Bill. ⬇️ #Disinformation #Democracy

I'm thrilled about the introduction of this bill. As chair of the Fair Elections group in Parliament, I've long been pushing for measures to tighten the rules around political donations and protect against foreign interference. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

These are outrageous and inflammatory remarks from an out of touch multi millionaire businessman who clearly has no empathy with hard-pressed families. To seek to stigmatise immigrants and welfare claimants in this way is shameful. news.sky.com/story/the-uk...

Do you think that social media should be banned for under 16s? I want to know your thoughts. Complete my survey. ⬇️ https://loom.ly/XZMGACo #socialmedia #socialmediaban #onlineharm

Short form of Feb 9 debate on #Russian influence and UK politics. @elliechowns.bsky.social calls for electoral reform; @philbrickellmp.bsky.social provides insight into #Reform and foreign money, crypto, names names; @alexsobel.co.uk calls out legal loopholes, Kremlin and Brexit, ongoing threats.

Disinformation thrives when trust in politics is undermined. Our voting system leaves millions of people without a voice, eroding trust in our democracy. Thank you to @appgfairelections.bsky.social Chair @alexsobel.co.uk for making this important point in Parliament.

Alex Sobel @alexsobel.co.uk calls on government to introduce three reforms to protect UK from foreign interference: a cap on political donations, ban on cryptocurrency contributions and full independence for the Electoral Commission.

@alexsobel.co.uk: Reform UK presents itself as a party of ordinary people, but voters need far greater transparency about where its funding comes from The party sits uncomfortably close to companies raising national security concerns, including the well-documented Russia connections of Arron Banks

MPs are about to debate Russian interference in Britain’s democracy. We’ll be live on this thread with what matters 🧵

The appointment of Peter Mandelson was clearly a grave error of judgement. There was enough known for an appointment not to have been made and there should have been much deeper vetting including asking US counterparts for intelligence.

UK insurers backed €1B of Russian coal exports last year—keeping Moscow’s shipments flowing to third countries despite sanctions, according to @creacleanair.bsky.social & @montelnews.bsky.social. Labour @alexsobel.co.uk urges an immediate ban on UK insurance for Russian hydrocarbons. bit.ly/4tqCjD6

The use of Grok AI to generate and distribute sexualised content is unacceptable. Alongside fellow MPs, I have written to the Secretary of State for Science and Technology calling for urgent, strong AI regulation. #ArtificialIntelligence #Grok

This week, Labour voted to remove the two child benefit cap.

We need to try to establish new forms of co-operative support on the ground for people who want to start and develop new co-operatives. 💼 🌟 Longer clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-7uTQIOIc8 #Cooperatives

Last week, I reiterated my commitment to addressing the situation in Uganda during Prime Minister's questions. It's imperative that we consider how we can safeguard those affected and prevent violence in the streets. #Uganda #Peace #HumanRights

🍺 Thrilled that the Government has announced major support for pubs this week, who will benefit from 15% off their business rates from April. Music venues will also benefit from this! #IndieMusicVenues #LiveMusic #Pubs

I'm thrilled that the Government has announced major funding for cultural organisations. £1.5bn will be invested to save more than 1000 cherished arts venues, museums, libraries & heritage buildings across England from closure across the next 5 years.

Can First Past the Post cope with multi-party politics? 🗒️ The APPG was delighted to host a private briefing in Parliament today with… 🗣️ Professor Sir John Curtice of @unistrathclyde.bsky.social 🗣️ Dr David Klemperer of @uniofbath.bsky.social 🪑 Emma Harrison of @makevotesmatter.bsky.social

I welcome the news that the EHRC are looking to adapt their guidance on single-sex spaces, however my firm belief remains that any code must be compatible with the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and existing equalities law.

The Guardian is reporting that EHRC is looking again at its proposed code of practice for single-sex spaces.

The Government's draft of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill signals a much-needed overhaul of the leasehold system. #LeaseholdReform #CommonholdReform

If the threshold for the maximum student maintenance loan is not increased by 2028, a child from a single-parent household with a parent working full time for the minimum wage will not qualify for the full maintenance loan. Full clip: https://loom.ly/azyhbWM #StudentLoans #Students

Last week, Uganda held elections. There were wide-ranging accounts of people being prevented from going to polling stations and of ballot stuffing. There is now widespread violence. Full clip: https://loom.ly/qMS7Nac #Uganda #Elections #Democracy

Two years of UK–Ukraine TechBridge. UK and Ukraine's tech sectors are creating shared growth through skills, innovation and investment. Government and industry are working together to strengthen both economies and create new opportunities under the 100-Year Partnership.

I am deeply concerned by the current situation in Iran. Full clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7518fsxLlTA #iran #IRGC

We need to eradicate inequality for children in schools. Zarach in Leeds is one fantastic charity working to eradicate child bed poverty, but we must take steps to poverty-proof schools so that children are not in this position to begin with. Full clip: https://loom.ly/WXb_3gk

I recently met with Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s Minister for Business, Mineral Resources, Energy, Justice & Gender Equality to discuss the current crisis facing Greenland. Greenland has recently become a key part of the debate around security & sovereignty, & the UK's response to this matters.

🚴🏼‍♀️ Tour de France is coming back to Leeds! In July next year the Grand Depart for the Tour de France Femmes will begin in Leeds - 13 years since we last hosted a Grand Depart here in Leeds. This will be a fantastic event for our city. #TourDeFrance #TDF #GrandDepart

Sanctions on Russia need to remain. As the war in Ukraine grinds on, political pressure is growing in some European capitals to consider relaxing sanctions on Russia should a ceasefire emerge.

We know that the Chinese state uses the existing Chinese embassy to co-ordinate transnational repression against the Chinese diaspora in the UK. The new super-embassy is a real threat to members of the Chinese diaspora who do not toe the Beijing party line. Full clip: https://loom.ly/dNm53qQ

I warmly welcome the news that we will finally get Northern Powerhouse Rail, and the news that it is starting in Yorkshire is historic. #NorthernPowerhouse #RailReform

Foreign financial interference is not the only threat to our electoral resilience: misinformation and disinformation are all flaws in the system. We need to address these in the upcoming elections and democracy Bill that is coming this year. Full clip: https://loom.ly/3eME_z8

There have been reports that a sanctioned Israeli Minister has called for Marwan Barghouti to be executed - an unconscionable statement. We must ensure that Mr Barghouti’s trial and detention is compatible with international humanitarian and human rights law. Full clip: https://loom.ly/2OUc_2w