David Baines MP

Hi Bluesky!

Read my latest newsletter here 👉 davidbaines.co.uk/newsletters 🌹

An honour to visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire today to pay tribute to the Royal Air Force Police and in particular Corporal Ashley Coates from St Helens who sadly died in 2023.

For Ash and all those who served - we will remember them.

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It’s #ThankATeacherDay, an opportunity to recognise all our teachers do to give children growing up in our country the best start in life.

Through our Plan for Change, we’re getting more teachers into our classrooms. Every lesson shapes a life, so go to getintoteaching.education.gov.uk.

Why rugby league deserves top honours too After 130 years, rugby league has finally received the recognition it deserves with its first knighthood.

This knighthood represents more than individual achievement. It acknowledges an entire sport that has been undervalued despite producing countless heroes who have inspired generations.

Why rugby league deserves top honours too, writes @davidbainesmp.bsky.social

🚨 NEW: Labour is lifting 100,000 children out of poverty by expanding access to free school meals.

Alongside free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniform costs and government-funded childcare, Labour is putting money in parents’ pockets and giving children the best start in life.

An absolute pleasure to welcome Hospital Doctors’ Union General Secretary @gensechcsa.bsky.social to Parliament today to discuss whistleblowing in the NHS.

Martin is an outstanding champion for working people and I’m proud to support him.

Huge investment in our local transport announced today.

This is the difference a Labour government makes.

Photograph shows the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, with Anna Bird, Katie Ghose, and Jane Harris, from the Disabled Children’s Partnership, Westminster, May 2025.

We know good practice that properly supports children with SEND exists, but for far too many families that’s not their experience.

We must spread the best practice and build excellence for every child, everywhere.

A better system is possible. Great to speak with @dcpcampaign.bsky.social

Thrilled about today’s announcement 🇬🇧🇪🇺

I do 👍🏻

Statement regarding tomorrow’s debate on assisted dying:

Today, on the 80th anniversary of VE Day, I had the absolute honour of meeting Gerald Anders.

Gerald served during the Second World War, and at the age of 102 he is still going strong.

I’m not able to say ‘thank you’ to my own grandparents today, but I am so pleased I got to say it to Gerald.

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My column for this week’s St Helens Star 👉 www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/2512333...

It’s only been a day and Farage has already threatened workers in Reform-controlled councils with the sack.

We need to oppose him and his toxic politics with everything we’ve got.

'He's Said The Quiet Part Out Loud': Farage Slammed Over NHS Funding Comments The Reform UK leader said he does not want it to be paid for from general taxation.

Genuinely surprised that Nigel Farage has handed Labour an open goal like this on the day of the local elections.

Health secretary Wes Streeting: "Nigel Farage has said the quiet part out loud: he doesn’t want a publicly funded NHS."

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/hes-sa...

That’s a great way of putting it. With your permission, I’m nicking that phrase 😄

He doesn’t know anything about mental health either judging from this. Which might come as a surprise to the voter I was talking to this week who’s hoping he’ll sort CAMHS access for her kids.

Farage talking arrant and nasty shit here. You can't get an autism/SEND diagnosis from a GP. People are having to wait years for one. This is just Trump/Kennedy stuff, with a flavour of Badenoch & the right wing UK media

None at all, that’s why I’m trying to tell people as often as I can what a grifting right winger he really is.

UK politics: Reform will axe councils’ special needs funding if they win in local elections, Lib Dems claim – as it happened Party’s education spokesperson says Farage’s comments about doctors over-diagnosing children shows he wants to cut spending

Farage is typical of the new know it all breed of social media experts. He knows nothing about SEND. But rather than learn he mouths off and proclaims his own ill informed opinions as fact. He is wrong about SEND just like he’s wrong about most things.

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

The US is going to a very dark place, very quickly. This is not normal.

It is with sadness I read the news this morning that Pope Francis has passed away.

His life was dedicated to service and to the pursuit of peace.

I am grateful for his life and join millions of Catholics, Christians and people of all faiths and none in mourning his loss.

May he rest in peace.

Congratulations to the Champions @sthelenstownafc.bsky.social 🙌

Today’s win over Wigan has secured the title.

What a journey for the club under Chairman Ste Lingard and a small army of dedicated volunteers.

It was a pleasure to say well done to them this afternoon. Enjoy your celebrations!

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It was a pleasure to recently welcome to Parliament @sthelenscouncil Leader Cllr Anthony Burns in his capacity as Chair of the North West Regional Leaders Board and leaders from across the region to meet with Local Growth Minister Alex Norris and MPs 🌹

Try to engage politely Bob. It is possible.

There was a deal on the table for Port Talbot when Labour came into power. We’re keeping 5000 jobs there and there’s a guaranteed future for the site. That wasn’t the case for Scunthorpe, the only UK producer of virgin steel.

The end of a long and unexpected day! The Bill has just received Royal Assent.

I’m proud to be a part of our efforts to protect British industry, British jobs, and British interests 🇬🇧

This is the difference a Labour government makes.

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This afternoon all MPs have been recalled to Parliament for an extraordinary Saturday meeting to urgently discuss the future of the British steel industry.

I’m on my way down to London now and looking forward to supporting our steelworkers and Britain’s interests.

My latest newsletter is out now!

Read it here, and sign up to join my mailing list and get it sent direct to your inbox every month 👉 davidbaines.co.uk/newsletters

YouTube video by Forty20 TV Forty20 Podcast - APPG Chair David Baines MP talks Rugby League

We're joined by @davidbainesmp.bsky.social on a bonus episode to talk #RugbyLeague, politics and St. Helens...

www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect...

Pupils’ enthusiasm 'inspiring' as MP commits to improving education system A ST HELENS MP has commended the staff and pupils of Birchley St Mary's Primary School following his recent visit to the school.

Pupils’ enthusiasm 'inspiring' as MP commits to improving education system