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COMMENT from
@GMBGarySmith
- Stop Bad Bosses Blocking Unions
labourunions.org.uk/tradeunionac...
Happy International Women's Day - to the organisers, the agitators, the big voices, the quiet do-ers, the so-called "difficult" women - the women of the union movement who are fighting for equality and winning for women every single day.
Thanks again to everyone who attended as these sessions away from the big cities really do matter and will make a difference . โ๐ผ
Great discussions today at Hirst Welfare. Thank you to everyone who contributed evidence to the commissioners and to the community voices who are so important. Hunger is a political choice and the right to food is a basic human right and together we can make changes.
A fantastic day in Ashington with @ianbyrnemp.bsky.social and @laverymp.bsky.social at the Right to Food Commission.
Hunger is a political failure. We need to pass into law the Right to Food so that no one in our country goes hungry.
๐จ๐ก๐๐ช: ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ ๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐, ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐, ๐๐ฆ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐จ๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐
"The Govt made a promise to Make Work Pay, with a clear commitment to abolish discriminatory age bands, so all adults receive the same minimum wage. There must be no delay on this promise."
labourlist.org/2026/02/youn...
Fantastic event with Labour Unions in the North today.
The movement is united for a New Deal for Working People.
Time to work together and get organised to make it happen in full!
This #PostalWorkersDay, I pay tribute to all postal workers and the important role they play in our community. To preserve our tradition of local, reliable posties we need Royal Mail to end the chaos and delays and restore decent pay and conditions for all postal workers.
I'm sorry, what?
Green Peers voting with Tories and Lib Dems to undermine the Employment Rights Bill in the House of Lords.... ๐๐ฉ
HIGHLIGHTS: Yesterday, Labour MPs stood firm to vote down Conservative and Lib Dem amendments that would water down the landmark Employment Rights Bill. See the highlights here ๐
The North East NUM Thomas Hepburn memorial is always a special occasion I was proud to give the lecture this year. Hepburns Union began 200 years ago and we all benefit from the struggles back then. The past we inherit the future we build .
Today we remember the 13 brave miners who lost their lives at Woodhorn Colliery.
We remember them and all those who lost their lives or loved ones in the mines.
I hope you get the chance this summer to attend Woodhorn and get a chance to remember these men and their sacrifice.
Sir Brian Langstaff's recommendations highlight huge issues with the initial scheme arrangements for the victims of the infected blood scandal. 460 people have settled their claims to date but many more have sadly passed away whilst waiting.
There can be no more delays.
Today is Retail Workers Day - a chance to thank everyone who works hard to keep our highstreets thriving.
Itโs also a chance to reflect on the awful abuse so many staff face and the brilliant work @UsdawUnion does to stand up for them.
People didnโt vote for The Labour Partyโs โchangeโ to be a change for the worse.
They really had some faith in us, I still want to deliver on what we promised them. That is why I am voting against this Welfare Bill.
It is totally unacceptable that my constituents are being told to travel 170 miles for cancer treatment and foot the bill for accommodation and transport. Especially when there is a treatment centre right on their doorstep.
We need the Rutherford Centre re-opened urgently.
I am running an upcoming surgery for any constituent that needs my help. Please book by emailing or phoning and we will be happy to help find you a slot.
My surgeries tend to be booked up quickly so please do get in touch soon.
The victims of the horrendous contaminated blood scandal are understandably furious & frustrated in equal measure at the pace of rightful settlement. I continue to support them in Parliament.
#contaminatedblood
Today we remember Jack Charlton - a true local hero.
He won the World Cup and inspired generations of footballers. We should all be proud of him.
There is something deeply, deeply wrong if MPs vote to make their own constituents worse off.
I am proud to stand up for the 10,467 people of Blyth and Ashington who claim PIP.
It was a pleasure today talk to health & safety representatives from across the Trade Union movement about the hazards of asbestos in the workplace. We must continue to campaign to eradicate, not mange asbestos from the workplace.
Excellent visit to the very impressive Blyth Valley Disability Forum. Good conversations with David and Lee about the home care they provide for hundreds of residents in Blyth. Priceless.
Today is the 36th anniversary of Hillsborough.
The horrendous tragedy is etched into the memory of this country and the appalling treatment of the victims by The Sun will never be forgiven.
Like others Iโm determined to support delivering the Hillsborough Law without delay.
Today it would have been my good friend and political hero Tony Benny birthday. Put simply a legend of our movement๐Tony could always be relied on to fight for our class a lesson to be learned by many โ๏ธ
I have already applied for a debate on high street banking in the Commons and will be raising this in Parliament again at the earliest opportunity- it is time for elected representatives to stand up to the banks and make them put communitiesย first.
Now we have heard Santander will be closing in Blyth leaving only Nationwide. All shortly after Lloyds and Halifax closing.
This is inevitably going to hit those with health needs, the elderly and the most vulnerable.
All while the banks cut back costs to ensure larger profits.
Banks are letting our communities down.
Bedlington is already set to lose its last high street bank after the announcement that TSB was closing its premises on Front Street West.
I will not let party loyalty stop me voting with my conscience againโespecially when there are many other ways to raise the necessary funds.
Last year, when the government removed the Winter Fuel Allowance from pensioners, I opposed the move and abstained, breaking the whip. With hindsight, I should have gone further and voted against it.
Since being elected, I have never once voted to make my constituents poorer.
