The Tories have showcased their true colours once again recently; attacking people with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety as belonging to "sick note culture" and meriting exclusion from the welfare system.
Rather than attacking people with mental illnesses, the Tories should have some humility and contrition, and look at the impact of their own shameful policies. Read my piece in the New Statesman here.
Rishi Sunak's inaction while a humanitarian disaster has unfolded in Gaza is nothing short of shameful. Today I challenged him at Prime Minister's Questions on why he continues to stand idly by while innocent civilians suffer in their hundreds of thousands.
Following the decision to relocate children's cancer services in South East England away from St George's Hospital, I met with the Health Secretary with a cross-party group of MPs to raise our concerns.
When I visited the Pinckney Ward where this care is conducted, I met with Jackson, a former patient there, and his parents, who told me that such a move would be detrimental for parents, children and the hospital alike. I have urged the Secretary to review and reconsider NHS England's decision as soon as possible. Eight years ago today, I was selected as the Tooting Labour candidate for the by-election caused by Sadiq becoming a candidate for Mayor of London.
It has been a huge honour and privilege to serve as the representative for the community in which I was born and raised. My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has supported me on this incredible journey. The beginning of Mental Health Awareness week was marked by grim tidings that, for the first time in recorded history, the number of people on an waiting list for mental health treatment has hit 2 million.
This is more than the combined population of four major British cities and is a shocking indictment of the Tories' failed record on mental health.
Following a recent spot inspection of HMP Wandsworth by the Chief Inspector of Prisons. an Urgent Notification was issued to the Secretary of State for Justice, meaning that the Chief Inspector has serious and immediate concerns about the day-to-day operation of the prison.
The report was damning and laid the blame for the deficiencies squarely at the Government's door, citing a lack of leadership at the very highest levels. I have been raising these issues for years now and my concerns have gone unheeded by this Tory Government, even after a high-profile alleged escape last autumn. Read my Twitter thread on the subject below:
New data published by the Environment Agency recently revealed that sewage was pumped in our local rivers, the Graveney and Wandle, for over 700 hours last year. This is equivalent to the entire month of February and demonstrates this Tory Government's complete disregard for our natural environment.
Only Labour has a plan to clean up our waterways and hold water companies to account by fines for illegal discharges, blocking bonuses for bosses of companies that violate the rules and holding these bosses personally criminally liable for any violations. History was made last Thursday as my friend and predecessor as MP for Tooting, Sadiq Khan, was re-elected for an unprecedented third term as Mayor of London.
After weeks of hard graft, the result was a decisive victory for Sadiq and Labour with our wonderful capital rejecting the divisive, toxic politics of the Tory candidate. I look forward to continuing to work with Sadiq to make Tooting and our wider city a greener, cleaner, safer and more prosperous place to live.
As someone who grew up with and later overcame a stammer, I know all too well the difficulties and challenges that having one can bring. I was very glad and honoured to join Dermot and Alison on This Morning once again to talk about stammers and the wonderful work that Stamma charity do.
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