@andyburnham seems both genuine and considered. Nobody can expect him to have all the answers now but he does look & sound as if he wants to create a real change. I've learnt more about him in 30 min interview with @bbclaurak than 6 years of Starmer's leadership #foodforthought
I am deeply appalled and angry to see โFireworkโ used on the @WhiteHouse TikTok account as a backing track for video footage of military strikes. I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.
I wrote this song to be an anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength for people going through their darkest personal moments. To see a message of self-worth and upliftment weaponized to soundtrack destruction and violence is a complete violation of everything my song stands for.
My music is for bringing people together, not celebrating warfare.
I hate the condescension that some on the right have for @AngelaRayner. She is a symbol of a society where anyone can achieve. As someone on the right, I find this completely anti conservative. We are supposed to be the champions or empowerment.
The increase for employers on National Insurance was a massive mistake. There was no consideration of not for profits, charities et al and some industries are well and truly up against it. Increases in NI means a block on employment. The Tories were right to describe it as a jobs tax. We need to do policy better. Take on board the opinions of businesses and our trade union partners. I said it at the time. Yes, I voted for the budget. It was the first @UKLabour budget for a very long time.
Whatever our politics, we need @andyburnham to succeed for all Britons. He needs to power up growth through policies that enable rather than disable working people and business. This is a turning point and we need to see long and short term actions that make Britain better.