Dear Newcastle March 2021 This lockdown feels longer and harder. Perhaps it is the short days, perhaps it is the lack of certainty as to how we will get out of it, or the lack of support for so many…
International Womens Day
For #InternationalWomensDay I’ve written for @politicshome why increasing women representation must be at the heart of our STEM education, employment practices, policy development and digital economy if we are to thrive #WomenInSTEM #ChooseToChallenge https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/women-are-still-an-afterthought-in-stem
Dear Newcastle February 2021
A month in and 2021 is proving hard going – fortunately there is also hope for the spring with the rollout of the vaccine. The UK passed the terrible milestone of 100,000 deaths from Covid19, a statistic that hides immeasurable…
This Brexit deal is Boris Johnson’s mess, but I will vote in the national interest
This Brexit deal is Boris Johnson’s mess, but I will vote in the national interest Tomorrow MPs will have about five hours to debate the Government’s 80 page “Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union Bill” which implements its…
How Newcastle kids are missing out on online learning!
The school closures, may be good for public health, but are seriously affecting pupils’ learning and the ones bearing the brunt of it are those who are already very disadvantaged. The Institute for Fiscal Studies recently found that by the…
Thank you to everyone in Newcastle Central for re-electing me as your Member of Parliament.
Representing you is the best job in the world and it will be a privilege to continue stand up for you in Parliament. THANK YOU!
MPs Report April 2019
Dear Newcastle April 2019 I always feel Spring is really here when the clocks go forward and the cows return to the moor. But in Westminsterland, nothing much is changing. The Brexit train grinds on even as the buffers are…
Happy International Women’s Day
Happy #InternationalWomensDay to everyone everywhere but especially in #Newcastle where we have such a great history of amazing, campaigning women! To celebrate International Women’s Day here is a Women’s Co-operative Guild of Newcastle-upon-Tyne banner. This banner was probably made shortly after the…
MP’s Report: September 8th to October 12th 2018
Dear Newcastle Most of the last month has been “ConferenceTime” with MPs, accompanying media and lobbyists decamping from Westminster accompanied, in Labour’s case at least, by delegates and members from across the country. Labour’s conference was well attended, constructive and…
Today’s vote on Heathrow
As a member of parliament I am often faced with difficult choices and this is especially true for today’s debate on the National Policy Statement on Airports. A third runway at Heathrow raises very challenging economic, environmental and ethical considerations.…