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Despite the chill this morning, it was brilliant to be out in Balham with our dedicated Labour team for a canvass and coffee session. Starting the year as we mean to go on, we spoke with residents ahead of the crucial local elections this May. The response on the doorstep was incredibly heart-warming and encouraging. It is this community spirit that truly defines our area. A huge thank you to everyone who shared their views with us and to our fantastic volunteers for braving the cold! Together, we will continue working hard for our community.  I have written to the CEO of Wandsworth Council and the Department for Business and Trade to highlight the challenges facing our local high street. Tooting Town Centre is a vital hub for our community, but I know a number of shops had left our high street recently. I urged them to provide more support for Tooting, ensuring our local businesses can thrive and continue serving residents across the constituency.  It was fantastic to be out in the gorgeous Peak District to support my friend and High Peak's next Labour MP, Jon Pearce. We first visited the Glossop Arts Project to see the amazing work they do, using art to support young people's mental health - of course, we had to indulge in the offer of a free toastie and cuppa too! On the doorstep afterwards, we spoke to so many people fed up with the Tories, both locally and in Westminster. There are council elections coming up in May and Labour has every chance to take full control of the council here! The views were incredible, the people lovely, and I can't wait to be back!   Fresh off the back of our trip to South Wales yesterday, Luke Pollard MP and I continued to take the fight to the Tories today, this time in Reading.
We kicked off the day with a doorknocking session in Reading West, another Tory-held marginal seat where it is essential Labour wins at the next general election. We were delighted to be joined by my colleague, Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East, who took us to a community-run cafe to show the empowering work that local people are doing on a daily basis. Reading is a great example of what Labour can do in power - the town's carbon emissions have been reduced by 70% in the last 12 years and the Council is currently investing £88 million in over 300 new social housing homes across Reading.  Today, my friend Luke Pollard MP and I visited the lush landscape of South Wales in order to continue our fight to put Keir Starmer in 10 Downing Street.
We visited Barry Island (cue many Gavin and Stacey references!) in the Vale of Glamorgan seat and Chepstow in Monmouth - two vitally important areas that Labour needs to win to form a government. Labour took control of both Vale of Glamorgan & Monmouthshire Councils after the May elections and I greatly enjoyed campaigning with local members, building on that momentum in order to elect two new Labour MPs at the next election. Of course, a trip to Barry Island would not be complete without a wander down the beautiful seafront, complete with ice cream. Lloniannau!
 Tooting Bec Athletics Track reopened this summer after a successful community campaign against its closure. It was great to be at their official reopening along with local Councillor Judi Gasser.
It was great to meet some young athletes and see the wide range of facilities that they offer, including a seven-a-side football pitch, an eight lane track, and a state of the art fitness centre. I am so grateful we have this brilliant resource on our doorstep in Tooting. The fantastic facilities at Tooting Bec Athletics Track will be vital in helping Tooting’s children become the Olympians of tomorrow. I have no doubt that future Team GB medalists are already training here and I look forward to seeing what they all go on to achieve.
 Today, I spoke with GMB and Royal College of Nursing frontline NHS staff at St George’s Hospital to hear their views on the Government’s latest pay offer.
The last 18 months has impacted our beloved NHS immeasurably, and staff have made significant sacrifices in order to save lives. I stand in solidarity with my NHS colleagues. They deserve far more than just claps. They need a proper pay rise.  It was a pleasure to get out on the doorstep with our Greater London Authority candidate for South London, Candice Atterton, today!
Alongside Candice and Ruth Cadbury MP for Brentford and Isleworth, it was a privilege to visit Hounslow Youth Counselling Service. The post-pandemic recovery must have young people at its heart, so it was fantastic to spend the morning hearing about the great work taking place in Hounslow to support and champion young people’s mental health. With her background in youth work and youth justice, Candice is determined to focus on support and opportunities for young people. I have no doubt that she will be a great addition to Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Labour Team in City Hall! |
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