To mark the recent St George’s Day celebrations, I was honoured to lead the St George’s Day and English Affairs debate in Parliament — a chance to reflect on what it means to be English, to celebrate our history, and above all, to recognise the people who make our country what it is today. As I said in my speech: “England’s greatest asset is its people. Hard-working, God-fearing, decent folks who don’t walk by on the other side but turn up to be counted.” From the NHS to our

Yesterday I spoke in the House of Commons in a debate to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War — a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and determination of the Greatest Generation. In my speech, I reflected on the hard-won triumph of democracy over authoritarianism, nationalism, and fascism — and why the sacrifices made by so many must never be forgotten. From the veterans of Newcastle-under-Lyme, across the United Kingdom, and throughout the Commonwealt

After the recent blackouts in Spain and Portugal, in the Commons, I asked the Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks MP, how we’re protecting our electricity grid from foreign-owned smart tech that could be used against us. With technology increasingly run by third parties abroad, we must stay vigilant – because our grid isn’t just about power; it’s about protecting people in Newcastle-under-Lyme and across the United Kingdom. Cyber threats to our energy infrastructure are real,

On Tuesday, I had the privilege of leading a debate in the House of Commons calling on the Government to back the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) with a new wave of funding to help transform lives in former mining communities across our country. A Proven Model for Change The CRT was established by the last Labour Government in 1999 to deliver economic, social, and health improvements in places like Newcastle-under-Lyme that bore the brunt of deindustrialisation. Twenty-fi

Today is World Parkinson’s Day – a chance to raise awareness of Parkinson’s, the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, and to stand in solidarity with the 153,000 people across the UK who are living with it every day. Earlier this month, I joined Parkinson’s UK at a special event in Parliament. I had the privilege of hearing directly from people affected by Parkinson’s about the daily challenges they face – whether that’s waiting too long for specialist care, n

Thank you to everyone in Newcastle-under-Lyme who took the time to respond to my recent survey on higher education funding. I heard from students, members of staff, graduates, and family members who are worried about the future of our colleges and universities. Your responses described course closures, job losses, increased pressure on staff, and students struggling to access the support they need. Your submissions were formally sent to the Education Select Committee ahead of

With Ravensmead Primary School, in the Education Centre in Parliament It was a real pleasure to welcome pupils from Ravensmead Primary School in Newcastle-under-Lyme to Parliament this week. During their visit, we had the chance to sit down for a Q&A, and I was genuinely impressed by their thoughtful questions and curiosity. It’s always a joy to see young people so engaged and eager to learn more about how our democracy works. Visits like these are a reminder of the importanc

This week in Parliament, I raised serious concerns about the Government’s proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). While it’s right to support people into work, any reform to PIP must be introduced fairly, with compassion, and with the voices of disabled people at its heart. The Government’s own impact assessment raised further worrying questions, and I made it clear to Ministers that these cannot be ignored. I asked the Minister to meet with me to go through

A well-connected transport system is vital — for our local economy, for our health and wellbeing, and for building pride in our communities. But right now, too many people across Newcastle-under-Lyme are being let down by unreliable or non-existent local bus services. Whether it’s difficulty accessing shops, missed medical appointments, or young people losing out on opportunities — across Betley, Audley, Wolstanton and beyond, the message is clear: we need better. In the Hous

In Parliament, I recently raised my concerns with the Foreign Secretary about the worsening situation in Gaza. The breakdown of the ceasefire and the ongoing suffering of innocent civilians have shocked people across our community, and I felt it was vital to take those concerns directly to the Government. Following a number of conversations with constituents, I pressed the Foreign Secretary on what specific discussions he has had with key regional partners—including Saudi Ara

Grateful to all my Labour colleagues who spoke in my debate on Government Support for Coalfields yesterday. There was a real commitment to ending the days of empty words and broken promises to the people in our coalfield communities. We have much to do. You can find the full transcript of the debate here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-02-06/debates/71B19D39-5D97-4393-8035-8E09CA3F0A4F/details?fbclid=IwY2xjawIZXEdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcbIpsct3FixERNzx8KpZg7Z5XsxXLqi7v