Gary Kent

Brian Wilson doesn't miss them and hit the wall in today's Scotsman. It's game on for 2026.

Gary Kent: Conservatives should be proud of Major's legacy in Kurdistan - and strive to maintain it today | Conservative Home As a lifelong Labour member, I never thought I would recommend naming a street after a Tory prime minister. But in Erbil, he earned it.

Kurdish achievements would not have happened without John Major. A fitting tribute to him would be a continuing interest by Conservative MPs in the plight and potential of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Kurdish Lessons for Labour - Progressive Britain The small town of Ranya in Iraqi Kurdistan once loomed large in British foreign policy, now it plays a key role in informing migration policy

I visited Ranya last month to meet the Mayor and his aides who want us to understand this potentially existential exodus of entrepreneurs and workers

Impressive at the Cenotaph tonight. Let’s remember all those who fell in fighting fascism.

Should Britain have a foreign policy doctrine? The Big Ask | No. 18.2025

Should 🇬🇧 have a foreign policy doctrine?

We asked 5 experts in today’s #BigAsk

✍️ @willfreer.bsky.social, @garykent.bsky.social @james-rogers.bsky.social, @gracetheodoulou.bsky.social, @rgwhitman.bsky.social

#BritainsWorld

Should Britain have a foreign policy doctrine? The Big Ask | No. 18.2025

‘It is difficult to finalise a foreign policy doctrine in a world which is changing at such a frenetic and frightening pace. Progressive Realism will do just fine,’ argues @garykent.bsky.social, @progbrit.bsky.social

#BritainsWorld #BigAsk

KRG Honors Pro-Kurdish Advocate Gary Kent KRG Honors Pro-Kurdish Advocate Gary Kent

Personal news. After 40 visits to the Kurdistan Region (and Baghdad and Mosul) in two decades, I’m deeply honoured by this. The journey has been stimulating and enjoyable and isn’t entirely over.

The Trumplications for Labour - Progressive Britain In his latest piece for PB, Gary Kent sets out the complex nature of the Trump administration and how Labour must approach dealing with it.

My new column examines various Trumplications for Labour.

Top-quality childcare places boost children’s life chances and parent’s work choices!

I’m delighted that two schools in Beckenham & Penge are amongst the first to get new school-based nurseries - and will support more schools to do so!

my step father will not shut up about it, I think it might be his favourite book about borders

A brilliant morning with @serailway.bsky.social to celebrate Clock House and Elmers End stations turning 161 years old!

And it was great to see so many people thanking the wonderful staff who are an important part of our community.

Looking forward to more #Railway200 celebrations soon!

Liam Conlon MP, Karin Smyth MP, Deirdre Costigan MP with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

St Patrick’s Day in Trafalgar Square

Liam with London GAA

Liam with Irish in Britain

Incredible atmosphere as London is awash with green for the St Patrick’s Day Parade!

I’m proud to be London Irish, and to join our Mayor Sadiq Khan to celebrate the enormous contributions the Irish community make to our great city!

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! ☘️🇮🇪

Had a great time visiting the Beckenham Dementia Cafe at St Edmund’s Church today.

The Cafe provides invaluable support and friendship for people living with dementia and their carers.

All run by wonderful volunteers - and a very cute comfort dog!

Starmer begins PMQs with memorial to servicemen who died on this day in Afghanistan - JD Vance not mentioned but it's a powerful rebuke

Lots of teams out today in the Spring sun speaking to residents in West Wickham with a great response!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to talk to us! ☀️🌹

The Politics of Organisation and the Organisation of Politics - Progressive Britain Frequent contributor Gary Kent reflects on the ways in which political engagement can be encouraged on all levels.

Some tips on making meetings more interesting.

clever campaigning by the TUC here

🎾 A pleasure to spend the morning with Lucas De Gouveia from Beckenham - who at 14 is already representing GB in wheelchair tennis!

I’m really proud of everything Lucas is achieving - and looking forward to supporting him to access more opportunities to play sport and excel!

It was an honour to re-open the Beckenham Library today with the Mayor of Bromley and my friend the Baroness of Beckenham, Floella Benjamin.

Our refurbished library will be invaluable in promoting education and literacy, and building community.

Delighted to see it reopen! 📚

Pleasure to meet Anthony Smith of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy which does great work as I have in the past seen in Iraqi Kurdistan. All power to his elbow.

The referendum result - UK in a changing Europe Robert Ford examines the 2016 EU referendum [An extract from UK in a Changing Europe's report: ‘The Brexit Files: from referendum to reset’].

👀 Would you like a sneak peek at our major new report on Brexit that’s launching tomorrow…?

📖 Have a read of our chapter on the 2016 EU referendum by @robfordmancs.bsky.social one of our fantastic expert contributors 👇

ukandeu.ac.uk/the-referend...

Euroscepticism v. Euro-Enthusiasm: 50 Years on from the Common Market Referendum - Progressive Britain Frequent contributor Gary Kent reflects on the 50 year anniversary of the Common Market referendum and the lessons Labour must learn from its outcomes.

My latest column looks at some lessons from the Common Market referendum of 50 years ago and being on the losing side in two European polls. Feel free to repost www.progressivebritain.org/eurosceptici...

Great to meet students from St Anthony’s Primary School in Penge on their school trip to Parliament

Also enjoyed a brilliant Q&A covering everything from education, the NHS to the very popular new 358 electric bus!

My latest column looks at social democracy in a dangerous world.

Happy New Year! 🎇🥳

The best fireworks we’ve had yet - with thanks to our Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan!

#NewYearsEve #LondonFireworks

With my old friend Paul Richards respecting George Orwell outside the BBC.

🔎 Read the Christmas statement from @anandmenon.bsky.social on UK in a Changing Europe and its future 👇

ukandeu.ac.uk/announcement...

Proud to have voted to clean up our rivers and tackle illegal sewage dumping!

Great work from our Environment Secretary and my neighbouring MP Steve Reed 🌊🌹

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It truly is a perfect simplified explanation.

What Does the Second Trump Administration Mean for the UK? - Progressive Britain Frequent contributor Gary Kent analyses what the second Trump administration could mean for the UK both at home and internationally.

The impact of Trump on UK foreign and security policy.