Lovely to meet the team and families at Demelza Children’s Hospice. Demelza provides extraordinary care for families in Rochester & Strood facing the toughest times. Thanks to Deputy CEO Cheryl, Lead Nurse Sara, and the whole team for all you do.

🏉🏓 Medway sports clubs - Cash4Clubs is offering £2,000 grants to 250 grassroots clubs across the UK. With recent investment in Hoo, Cuxton and beyond, let’s keep the momentum going for community sport. Apply by 8 Dec:

Carers make huge sacrifices - yet 28% live in poverty. I opposed recent PIP reforms that would’ve hit those on Carer’s Allowance, and I’m working locally to improve support. Great to attend the Carers Trust event and collect their latest report on boosting carers’ incomes.

Wishing everyone in Rochester and Strood celebrating Rosh Hashanah a peaceful and happy new year.

Great to meet Health Minister Karin Smyth to talk about GP access, Medway Maritime conditions, and care in the community. Also raised how Strood residents struggle to access services - and how we can improve it.

During Fairtrade Fortnight, let’s celebrate the difference we can all make by choosing Fairtrade products. These choices help build a fairer, more ethical way to buy the things we use every day - supporting farmers and workers around the world. Find out more here:

It’s vital we keep working for lasting peace in Gaza. The recognition of Palestine is an important step towards a two-state solution - both Israel and Palestine must be recognised as independent nations. We hope this step helps pave the way to a just and lasting peace.

Great to be speaking to residents across Strood today about the change we are delivering including: 🥣 Breakfast Clubs being introduced in primary schools 🏥 5 million extra NHS appointments 👷‍♂️ Introducing extra protections for working people

🎙️ Thanks to KMTV and Mike O’Lone of Syntech Biofuel for having me on The Pragmatic Environmentalist, alongside Kate Willard OBE. We discussed Green Skills and Growth in Rochester and Strood and what Labour is doing nationally. I’ll share the link once it’s published!

On Monday, I voted for Labour’s Employment Rights Bill - a huge step forward for working people. Despite opposition attempts to block it, we stood firm to deliver real protections: banning zero-hours contracts, extending sick pay, guaranteeing day-one rights, and ending unfair dismissal loopholes.

🎓 Great meeting with Skills Minister Jacqui Smith to discuss how we can better support universities by reforming funding models and addressing the impact of the proposed international students levy. I urged a rethink on study visa rules and pushed for long-term investment.

Wonderful to be back at Abbey Court School to see the fantastic facilities at their Cliffe Road site for children with significant learning difficulties. I’ll keep pushing in Parliament for a SEND system that works for every child and family in Rochester and Strood.

Really looking forward to the Festival of Chatham Reach this Saturday, 20th September, at Sun Pier and Sun Pier House. There’ll be free ship tours, sailing trips, live music, food stalls, and family-friendly art workshops. Details and booking info here: buff.ly/zJwQTZV

Great first couple of weeks back in Parliament after the summer recess - here are some highlights:

Amazing to see The Rest Is History in Rochester and Strood! If you want to hear Tom Holland’s pitch for why Chatham High Street is “the most historic road in England,” click the link below.

Last week, I asked the Treasury to guarantee the Children’s Hospice Grant for five more years and increase it annually with inflation. This would help hospices like Demelza plan long-term and continue supporting families across Rochester and Strood. More info below 👇

🌹 BREAKING: exclusive @survation.bsky.social and LabourList polling shows Lucy Powell leads Bridget Phillipson in the race to be Labour deputy leader by 17 points. labourlist.org/2025/09/excl...

🎨 Really enjoyed visiting Kent Autistic Trust’s exhibition showcasing local artists. It was great to meet some of the creators - I even picked up a piece for my office! Thanks to Christine for organising! 🔗 More info on the Trust: kentautistictrust.org

After 3 lockdowns and the loss of so many loved ones, vaccines helped us return to normal & protect the vulnerable. This week, KCC Reform leader Linden Kemkaran claimed on Times Radio there may be a link between vaccines + cancer. There’s no basis in fact for this. Read my letter below 👇

I want this Labour Government to succeed, and sometimes that means having difficult conversations. When we listen to our communities and our members, we are stronger. That’s why I’m running for Deputy Leader. Learn more and join my campaign: www.lucyfordeputy.co.uk

Our great Deputy Leaders have connected the heart of the Party with the head of the government - that’s what I’ll do. I spoke to @theguardian.com about why I’m standing as a full-time Deputy Leader and how we can succeed and do better: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Thank you to Raising Youth for hosting me at their Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme at Maritime Academy in Strood. It was great to meet families benefiting from free meals and activities. And welcome the £600m in gov funding to expand programmes like these locally.

This week’s league tables placed Medway NHS Trust 130th of 134. I’m working with MPs and council leaders to demand urgent action, transparency, and a clear plan to raise standards. Full statement below 👇

🎒£600m in new funding for Best Start Holiday Clubs will provide free meals and activities for over half a million children across the UK. This will support working families during school holidays and save them over £300 a year. More info on local Clubs coming soon!

Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, I want to remind residents that the Baton of Hope will be coming to Medway on September 22nd. Over 130 residents will join this national initiative to raise awareness of suicide prevention. (1/2)

Today, I joined fellow Medway MPs in responding to the merger of the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent. This change could strengthen skills coordination and shared resources across Medway. We’ll continue supporting staff, students, and funding reform. Full joint statement below 👇

It’s Know Your Numbers Week, a great time to get your blood pressure checked. It’s quick, easy, and could save your life. Search ‘Know Your Numbers Week 2025’ to find out more and take part locally in Rochester and Strood.

From Jan 2026, children in England will be offered a free chickenpox vaccine as part of the NHS routine immunisation. It will be combined with the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. This is a major step in improving child health & reducing school disruption.

🏠 Military families will benefit from a new charter giving them more freedom at home — including keeping pets and running businesses. Following my visit to Brompton Barracks, I’m pleased to see 317 military homes in Medway returning to public ownership.

🎉 Congratulations to Holding On Letting Go, a Rochester-based charity supporting bereaved families. They’ve been awarded nearly £20,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to expand parent and carer services - helping over 100 people. More info here: holg.org.uk

🌹 Great to be out with Vince, Teresa, and Medway Labour at Child-Friendly Medway’s Super Saturday event for families on Chatham High Street. Lots of fun and great conversations - plus I got to see the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters!

🎈 Reminder: Free Copperfield Fun Day in Rochester! Free Copperfield Fun Day next Saturday, 13 Sept, 1:30-4pm at Copperfield Rec! BBQ, face painting & more. A great day for families, part-funded by Friends of Copperfield, 28th Medway Scots & Labour Medway Councillors. Enjoy! More details below 👇

Fantastic to see our local Copper Rivet Distillery at a UK Spirits Showcase event in Westminster earlier this week. It’s great to see local spirit producers representing Rochester and Strood on the national stage. I really enjoyed chatting with Dylan and Lib at the event. More info below 👇

📢 New funding for Rochester Community Diagnostic Centre means more out-of-hours tests, easing pressure on Medway Maritime and improving access for residents with work or school commitments. A big win for our community and our NHS!

The Government will run a national test of the Emergency Alerts system this Sunday (7th September), at 3pm. Phones and tablets will emit a siren sound, vibrate, and display a message to simulate a life-threatening alert. The system warns of dangers like extreme weather. Learn more: buff.ly/1ldw7ul

Great to visit HMP Rochester to meet Governor Katie Jefferson and hear about the work underway to improve safety and conditions. It was encouraging to meet staff supporting rehabilitation and helping people prepare for life beyond custody. Their efforts reduce reoffending and strengthen communities.

Great to hear about the impact of Chatham’s Street Ambassadors and increased police presence. Thanks to Inspector Paul Diddams for joining me to meet the team and local businesses. I’ll keep working to make the High Street welcoming for all. Link Kent Police's survey on community safety below 👇

Met the Forward Trust team at their weekly Breakfast Club in Chatham. They support people facing addiction, homelessness, or unemployment. We spoke about working together to help people move forward. You can find out more about the support being offered at the Open Road here: buff.ly/KWLRoOA

Great weekend out on the doorstep talking to residents in Rochester East and Warren Wood with Labour ward Cllr Teresa Murray.

Thank you to Ian, Chairman of Borstal Cricket Club, for showing me around this weekend. Great to chat about encouraging more young people into cricket and supporting the club. I also caught part of the match between the Ladies 1st XI and the 'Kemsing Belles'!

Today we honour Ukraine’s strength and resilience on the anniversary of Independence Day. Their fight for freedom inspires us all - including here in Rochester and Strood, where our Ukrainian community enriches our local community. We stand with Ukraine in their pursuit of peace. Slava Ukraini!

Thank you to The Fabian Society for inviting me to speak at the launch of their report Growth and Opportunity. I reflected on the failures of the last Government’s apprenticeship levy and where Labour must focus to boost skills and growth. Link to watch the conference below 👇

Great to speak at Medway Sunlight Rotary last week. We talked about local charities I've worked with, like Medway Foodbank, & my fundraising for veterans through the 'Great Tommy Sleepout'. They’re a fantastic team of volunteers supporting our community - I look forward to working them.

Great to attend this year’s Halling Village Festival and catch up with Parish Council Clerk Chris Fribbins and Parish Councillor Stephen McCormack. Special thanks to Parish Councillor Natalie Luck-Brown for doing such a fantastic job coordinating everything! What a wonderful community event.

🎓 To all GCSE students across Rochester and Strood waiting for results today - best of luck! You’ve worked hard, and today is a big milestone. Whatever your results, be proud of how far you’ve come.

Last Friday, I was proud to take part in an evening prayer service at Rochester Cathedral and lay a wreath for VJ Day, remembering the sacrifice of all those who helped end World War II and bring peace.

I was interviewed by MLex about my work in Parliament and the APPG I co-chair on Digital Markets and Digital Money. We discussed transparency, accountability, and stablecoin reform. Read my interview below 👇

What a fantastic Medway Pride for 2025! Thank you to Hilary and everyone involved in putting on today's parade and celebrations at Rochester Castle 🏳️‍🌈🌹

🌈 Happy Medway Pride! It’s fantastic to see such a vibrant celebration of love, acceptance, and community here in Medway. I’m looking forward to joining everyone in Rochester today! 📍 Find out more about today’s events, timings, and tickets via the link below: 🔗 buff.ly/gLxPkAf

Eighty years ago today, Japan surrendered, bringing an end to the Second World War after six years of global conflict. On Victory in Japan Day, we remember all those who served and sacrificed in the pursuit of peace, and honour their courage in doing so.