Cathryn Rees

Chat about Wapping and the World. Venn diagram fan.

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

But I bet they all vote LibDem

[Harriet Harman @HarrietHarman]

Show of hands called by @BethRigby at Hay Festival should Starmer stay or go. Same % as Leeds. @SkyNews

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

Labour needs to get this by-election done asap. Voters already know Andy Burnham, but not the Reform candidate. Every day benefits Reform.

[Andy Burnham @AndyBurnhamGM]

I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election.

I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics.

Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic.

Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures.

However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people.

Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place.

I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that.

Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again.

ENDS

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

@bphillipsonMP Money needs to be directed to the few very vulnerable families, and not those who can’t be bothered to find time and money for kid’s breakfast. Two weetabix-type with milk or porridge is less than 50p and 10 mins. Parents who can’t do this need compulsory parent classes.

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

He’s a fantasist. His life is as credible as the Green party policies.

[Steven Swinford @Steven_Swinford]

EXCLUSIVE from @fintan_03 and @benellery

Zack Polanski has admitted he did not vote in last week’s local elections

The Green Party leader had previously indicated through a spokesman that he had cast a postal vote in Hackney before spending polling day in Wales, and had publicly told the east London borough’s mayoral candidate: “You have my vote”

However, after inquiries by The Times, the party confirmed on Thursday that he had in fact not registered to vote in the elections because of fears for his safety

Polanski had pledged his support to Zoë Garbett, the Green candidate for Hackney mayor, telling her “you have my vote” in a campaign video released on May 3

“One consequence of the heightened intrusion and safety risk he faces was that Zack did not register to vote in the most recent local elections,” a spokesman said

The party said Polanski had faced “extreme and distressing press intrusion” since becoming leader, including “antisemitic cartoons” and journalists “doorstepping family members”, and was now in discussions with police and local authorities about registering anonymously

https://t.co/b52AMuxODt

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

Can we find a Labour MP to quit his/her seat for David Miliband? Please.

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

I do like her dress. Anybody know the brand?

[Kemi Badenoch @KemiBadenoch]

Labour MPs are so arrogant. They want to lead our country but they can’t even lead a coup.

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

All commentary online and TV - Kier Starmer would be in a much better place to deliver change and growth if he replaces Rachel Reeves. He needs a more charismatic Chancellor who can carry MPs and voters.

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

@MikeTappTweets Your idea that you can’t judge a PM after 2 years - did you miss the elections last week? That was voters judging the PM and his government

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

Home Office minister @MikeTappTweets just said on @SkyNews you can’t judge a PM after only 2 years. But the voters just did judge him. Does he think the voters are wrong? So much for the commitment to listen to the country.

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

This is worse than Rishi Sunak bringing back David Cameron. Starmer has looked at his MPs and decided they aren’t capable, they aren’t up to the job.

[Keir Starmer @Keir_Starmer]

Together, we will build a stronger and fairer Britain.

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

Watching David Attenborough 100th birthday. I loved his work since Life On Earth. Best tribute is from when I was primary school teaching. I’d play his most dramatic clips to get kids energised for science writing. Worked for even the most disengaged kids. Racer snakes a fave.

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

@mrpaulk Any choc-lit or mil-foy?

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

Starmer has made a political error in sacking Olly Robbins.

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

Starmer’s actions have compromised national security more than any other recent Prime Minister. He is also responsible for the loss of a talented,committed civil service.

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

@ushouldbeontv Thanks

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

Who are the two men sitting behind Olly Robbins. One in striped shirt is nodding a lot

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

Emily Thornberry’s question about Mandelson leaking info while in government. How effective is UKSV if they didn’t uncover this?

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

Olly Robbins payoff from FCDO will be huge. He has a good case for unfair dismissal.

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

If Starmer wasn’t told his appointment of Ambassador to the Us had failed security vetting, he needs to take responsibility for the government culture he has created

[Cathryn Rees @News_Views]

@bbcnickrobinson Will anyone at FCDO have the guts to say it? Will Starmer admit he created that pressure? No and No.