Josh Simons MP

The labyrinth of UK governance badly needs rationalising. Nobody knows who does what.

Less of rights and treaties, more of powers and duties.

Thankfully, we have political constitution. This CAN be done with vigour and focus.

What needs to be done?

Parliament needs more power. The state more accountable to ppl the public elects.

"I'm p***ed off": MP rages after 'illegal' waste dump erupts into huge blaze "We are going to get answers"

In my case, my constituents in Platt Bridge, Abram, and Bickershaw, in just a few square miles, have had a major fire and a major flood.

Both were preventable and involved multiple state failures.

bit.ly/4mK63qH
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...

As a proud son of Milton Keynes, I say bring on the new towns – roundabouts and all | Chris Curtis Growing up, I reaped the rewards of the freedom and access to nature that a well-planned town offers its residents, says Labour candidate for Milton Keynes North Chris Curtis

Mad planning rules…

@chriscurtis94.bsky.social : theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Unfinished housing developments…

Local McEvoy: thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2536720...

I could go on. Everywhere, people have found sclerotic organisations and a lack of accountability to elected officials.

Hoads Wood: Environment Agency ordered to clear waste - BBC News Campaigners have been calling for the site in Hoads Wood to be cleared of waste.

Like me, Katie Lam had a major toxic waste dump in a green area. Organised crime, but while the Environment Agency investigate, they cannot STOP the dumping.

Ask her about it. Cue a masterclass in how accountability falls through the cracks of our state.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Whitehaven Harbour's orange water remains 'real frustration' - BBC News An MP says iron ochre in Whitehaven Harbour's water is damaging the town's reputation.

@joshmacalistermp.bsky.social has had a bright orange marina in Whitehaven that has taken countless ministerial interventions to begin to sort.

Ask him about it. Cue a dissection of what’s wrong with the British state.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

New MPs are shocked by the sclerotic state There is widespread appetite for radicalism among my generation to reform a creaking bureaucracy

Since being elected, I’ve been struck by how many new MPs have been radicalised by what they’ve seen.

Across factions and parties, ppl sense our state and political system urgently needs BIG reform. Half measures won’t work.

Wrote about this today in the Financial Times: on.ft.com/45WuBFK

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The World Tonight - Blair joins White House talks on Gaza - BBC Sounds What influence might the former PM have on President Trump?

With the birth rate hitting 1.4%, what should we do? Listen here 🔈👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Bloomberg UK Politics: AI Ambitions - Bloomberg Bloomberg's Caroline Hepker, Stephen Carroll, Yuan Potts and Lizzy Burden have your daily guide to British politics. We'll tell you what's happening and explain why it matters.

I joined Bloomberg's UK politics pod to discuss what AI can do for the UK - and what it can't . Listen here: www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2...

Reform want to dismantle our NHS.

Meanwhile, we're renewing it, bringing primary care back to towns like Orrell.

Do you want politicians who do the hard work to fix the NHS, or politicians who would rather give up and scrap it?

I visited Downing Street today to discuss the Nippon Electric Glass site in Hindley Green.
Electric Glass Fibre's products are used in the defence, renewable energy and transport industries. Keeping these British skills and supply chains is vital. I will keep fighting to save the site.

Ian McCartney did impressive things as the MP for Makerfield - and as a Minister. It was great to invite him back for a dinner and to discuss the difference a Labour Government makes

YouTube video by PoliticsJOE How to fix Britain's collapsing birth rate | Podcast #136 with Josh Simons MP

I joined Oli Dugmore on the @politicsjoe.bsky.social podcast last week. Watch the full episode where we spoke about everything from fatherhood and trust in politics, to Wolves and pints down the pub 👇

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzHC...

Fed-up dads gather nationwide to demand more than just two weeks with their baby FED-UP dads across Britain met today to call out a system that gives them barely any time with their newborns — and nothing at all if they’re self-employed. More than 20 events were held in towns a…

Read more here: www.thesun.co.uk/news/politic...

Great to have worked on the @dadshiftuk.bsky.social on the wave of Dads meetings that happened yesterday - I spoke to Times Radio about why it matters:

Yesterday I spoke to Daniel Finkelstein on Times Radio about the welfare reforms and what the Government is trying to achieve 🔊

People ask me why we don't tax the rich. My answer is - we already are.

Wigan and Leigh Hospice work hard locally to give people a compassionate end to their life. I was proud to host them and other GM hospices this week in Parliament.

Stomping and shouting - but never changing. The Tories weren't serious about governing when they were in charge, and they're certainly not serious now.

'What we need now is action. Not investigation, plans, dither, and delay, but spades in the ground and construction starting as soon as possible'

MP @joshsimonsmp.bsky.social writes about the flood-hit communities in his patch in today's Northern Agenda newsletter

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How the EU’s habitats directive is still harming Britain UK economic growth is hampered by excessive regulation — one project went through six rounds of consultation as the cost ballooned to £9 billion. Why?

LGG Co-Chair @chriscurtis94.bsky.social writes for @thetimes.com on why the Planning & Infrastructure Bill must end absurdities like the 'bat tunnel'.

This system has failed to protect nature and blocked growth. We must be bold and take back control of it now.

www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Bluff and bluster from Reform - action and optimism from the Prime Minister

The Crime and Policing Bill is going to make a real difference to making our streets feel safer. Here's why 👇

People across Makerfield are sick to the back teeth of sitting in traffic. They've been promised change again and again - it's time we deliver it.

How does Britain boost birth rates? As UK birth rates hit a historic low, Reform's Nigel Farage calls for a return to "Judeo-Christian values" while Labour MP Josh Simons argues the real issue is the modern pressure of intensive parenti...

“When was the last time you heard a politician talk about how exhausting, but utterly emotionally enriching parenting is?”

@joshsimonsmp.bsky.social on why Britain needs to change the way we talk about parenting.

articles.globalplayer.com/2GXq3RjVPBWK...

I am delighted with the PM’s commitment today to ensure Britain reaches 3% GDP on defence spending. I’ve campaigned for this for years, including @labourtogether.bsky.social

It’s a vital recognition of the what it will take for Britain to be strong and secure in the new world we live in

Looking forward to discussing top issues later today on Politics Live www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

The Week in Westminster - 01/02/2025 - BBC Sounds Caroline Wheeler from The Sunday Times assesses the latest developments at Westminster.

Discussed the importance of last week's growth announcements with on the Week in Westminster on BBC Radio 4

Listen here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

I've worked in the tech sector - I know how hostile actors can use algorithms to undermine the integrity of our information environment. Government must have the tools it needs to act in real time.

Residents affected can contact me if they have issues with their insurers paying out, and should look into eligibility for the FloodRe and BuildBackBetter schemes when re-insuring at www.floodre.co.uk