With management processes in a shambles, a two-tier workforce, and failings on basics like PPE, workers at Be Well leisure centre in Tower Hamlets are pushing back. 📣
We spoke to them as they took their protest to the town hall!
It’s time for Tower Hamlets to listen to them 📣
No surprise to see Tower Hamlets Council failing to properly publicise the consultation on AEG's planning application for 75 days of commercial events in Victoria Park. Two weekends of festivals each summer is enough. Well done to those at @VickyParkFriend who are objecting to it
🚨 WATCH: Green MP Hannah Spencer asks Keir Starmer if he agrees that MPs "shouldn't be drinking on the job"
Starmer: "The Greens think their leader walks on water. It turns out that he just lives on water and doesn't pay his council tax"
#PMQs
I am proud and humbled to have been selected as Labour’s candidate for Makerfield.
These proud working-class communities represent the very best values of our country and they deserve so much better. It would be my honour to work for them every day, if elected as their MP, to achieve that.
Many people here feel Westminster isn’t working for them and they are right. I am standing to change that and get the voice of these communities heard loud and clear.
I am glad that this by-election has finally put the places that make up the Makerfield constituency into the national spotlight. They have been neglected by national politics for too long. It is a good thing that all political parties are now on the hook to tell the voters here what they are going to do for them.
More than anything, people need life to be more affordable again. As Mayor, I have brought in changes which are helping, such as the £2 fare cap, free bus travel for our 16-18 year-olds and removing the 9.30am restriction from older and disabled people’s bus passes. But there is only so much I can do from Greater Manchester. If elected, I will have a relentless focus on reducing people’s everyday costs and bills and well as securing the investment these communities need.
I have been an elected representative in Greater Manchester for 25 years. Throughout that time, I have fought for the people of the North West of England on so many fronts. I am now ready to bring the whole weight of that experience to fighting for the communities of the Makerfield constituency and would be privileged to be given that opportunity.
Really shocking news from San Diego as at least five people have been killed mosque shooting.
Our prayers are with the victims, their loved ones and the entire community in San Diego.
https://t.co/370l7rNyfZ
It is an honour to be appointed Economic Secretary to the Treasury.
I continue to serve the Cities of London and Westminster as your Member of Parliament - our local communities need economic growth and stability.
Andy Burnham called for a council house building programme on a scale not seen since after World War II
Ohh this is good. This is very very good 👏🏽
https://t.co/fdjQ9fNQ4C
🧵 THREAD: I’m getting bored of hearing our losses were about what Labour didn’t do or is yet to do in power.
Let me be clear: voters switched on us because of what Labour HAS DONE in power.
They judged us for betraying our values through our actions. That came from the top.
Thrilled to be re-elected as Chair of @GMBRACE. Thank you to members for putting their trust in me once again and allowing me to continue this work.
We’ve achieved a lot together, but there’s still so much more to do. Exciting plans ahead! ✊🏾🧡
#MembersFirst
Privileged to join the celebration of Belle Harris' life earlier. Four years as a @TH_Labour cllr and a term at ILEA, but decades more as a determined community activist holding those in power to account with intellectual rigour and good grace. We will remember the history, Belle
If we are to counter Reform, Labour needs its A-team.
The NEC should allow Andy to put his name forward so local members can decide on a candidate which is best placed to defeat Reform and represent the constituency.
We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them.
The Makerfield by-election will be tough. Votes will need to be earned.
Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person.
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
Sir Keir Starmer transformed the Labour Party into a serious, electable force, and I voted for him. As Prime Minister, he has made real contributions, and I am grateful for them.
However, the country must come first. Millions of working people desperately need a focused Labour government delivering a brighter future. Yet we cannot govern effectively when we are constantly distracted by speculation, mistakes and a loss of trust.
Even in places like Redbridge, where we held up better in the locals, the message from voters was clear: the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the country.
Today’s speech failed to show he can regain that trust or lead us through the huge challenges we face at home and abroad.
It is therefore with deep regret that I conclude it is in the national interest for Sir Keir Starmer to step down as Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party. This must happen in a smooth, dignified and orderly way so the Party can choose new leadership and get back to the work people elected us to do.
This morning I sent my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister.
I urge the Prime Minister to do the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition.