Kim Johnson

Labour Member of Parliament for Liverpool Riverside🌹

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

We do not become stronger by making our most vulnerable pay the price for higher military spending.

That is not security – it is misplaced priorities.

That's why I believe in #WelfareNotWarfare.

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

“The music world has lost one of its most fearless champions.”

Kanya King leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. A pioneering force who changed British music forever, she opened doors for future generations.

Kanya's inspiring contributions will never be forgotten.

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

It is with immeasurable sorrow that the MOBO Organisation announces the passing of its Founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE.

Kanya passed away peacefully on 3 June 2026 after a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer. She was surrounded by her family, close friends and love.

Thirty years ago, Kanya King remortgaged her home, alone, without institutional backing or industry support, to build a stage that would transform British music forever.

She was a single mother from a Kilburn council estate who was told that Black music was too niche, that there was no market and that the industry was not interested. Instead of arguing, she built. Six weeks later, the first MOBO Awards was broadcast to the nation, and nothing was ever the same again.

What Kanya created was never simply an awards ceremony. It was an act of cultural justice. MOBO did not just celebrate Black music; it legitimised it, amplified it and transformed the cultural landscape of the UK.

From Stormzy, Little Simz and RAYE to Craig David, Ms. Dynamite, Amy Winehouse, Central Cee and countless others, generations of artists have benefited from Kanya King's vision.

She built a platform that reached hundreds of millions of people around the world. She was awarded a CBE and received an Ivors Academy Honour in 2025. She never stopped. She never asked for permission. She never accepted that the word “no” was final.

When she stood on the MOBO stage in Newcastle in February 2025, just months after her diagnosis, she told the audience: “I never allowed someone to define my limits. Not in life. Not in business. And I’m certainly not going to have that happen now.”

That was Kanya King. Right to the very end.

The 2026 MOBO Awards, held during the Organisation’s landmark 30th anniversary year, will be dedicated entirely to her memory.

The world was a profoundly better place with Kanya King in it. The MOBO family is heartbroken, but endlessly grateful, proud and inspired by everything she gave to music, culture and future generations.

Rest in power, Kanya.

You built this.

All of it.

[Ellie @EllieByrnecllr]

I am really pleased that, following interviews conducted by Kim and me, we selected Maureen as Chair of the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board for Everton East. Maureen is a champion of our community, and I know her experience will be invaluable. 👏🏼

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

I’m incredibly pleased to announce the appointment of Maureen Royce as Chair of the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board for Everton East.

Maureen is deeply embedded in our community, has a strong track record of championing local people & brings a wealth of local expertise 👏

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

Joined MPs & @ACORNunion members to support @CHinchliffMP’s amendment calling for the ban on housing developers donating to political parties.

Politics must serve the public, It’s time we listened to those living the housing crisis - let's kick developer cash out of politics.

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

The scenes in Southampton last night were absolutely shameful.

All politicians must recognise the impact of their words, and those stoking hate and division must be called out. Nazi salutes, violence & attacks on police are never justified. There is no excuse for disorder.

2/2

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

Henry Nowak’s death was a heartbreaking tragedy. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Henry’s father has rightly said his son’s death must not be used to spread division or hatred. We must respect that and reject those seeking to weaponising people's pain.

1/2

[Saul Staniforth @SaulStaniforth]

"Too much of our public funding is going to private companies to make massive profits to give to their shareholders"

Spot on @KimJohnsonMP

Keir Starmer promised that Labour would launch the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation. But like with everything else, he was lying.

[Saul Staniforth @SaulStaniforth]

.@KimJohnsonMP is right, Palantir should have no role in the NHS (or any other UK public service).

Lets kick them out.

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

"Palantir shouldn’t play such a significant role in the UK public sector."

The Science, Innovation & Technology Committee is absolutely right to warn this.

We must exercise the 2027 break clause in the NHS Federated Data Platform Contract with Palantir.

https://t.co/QyNmPvt7C1

[Sky News @SkyNews]

"Mr Keir Starmer broke the promises he made."

Palestinian children Mahmoud, 12, and Obaida, 15, react to the UK government's pledge to evacuate 300 sick and injured children.

But only around 50 have been brought over so far - zero this year.

＠BarbaraGSerra | https://t.co/rB90Nphn29

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

“We have to be here to tell our stories. You are the ones who have the power to make change happen.”

It was a real honour to hear the brave & powerful stories of Obaida & Mahmoud, two medically evacuated children from Gaza, as I welcomed them back into Parliament today.

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

Palantir has no place in our NHS.

Patient safety is paramount. We must end all ties with Palantir and remove it from our NHS well before the 2027 break clause.

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

One of the ships was formerly known as the Spirit of Merseyside. Built by young unemployed people from Liverpool more than 40 years ago, she remains a much-loved part of our region’s proud maritime heritage.

Huge congratulations to everyone involved!

https://t.co/c3QyntxdaV

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

Honoured to meet with Liam, Alan & fellow veterans taking part in the Full Circle expedition.

Undertaking an incredible 2,000-nautical-mile journey, the team are calling at 22 ports to transport flags, ahead of next year’s #InvictusGames2027 in Birmingham.

#TurnToStarboard

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

Good to see the relaunch of the #LeaveLiverpoolTidy campaign as this academic year draws to a close.

The scheme aims to reduce waste, promote reuse and encourage students to donate items they no longer need👇

@lpoolcouncil

https://t.co/lbUXiGbgzj

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

🌈 Happy #PrideMonth!

I'm proud to always stand in full solidarity this month and every other as we celebrate all of the LGBTQ+ community 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Happy Pride! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

Whatever happened to the 'biggest wave of insourcing in a generation'?

The Capita scandal demonstrates why bringing services back in-house is more important than ever.

[PCS Union (pcs.org.uk) @pcs_union]

General Secretary Fran Heathcote, on Radio 4 - Money Box, discussing the ongoing Capita pensions crisis and the need for immediate in-sourcing.

[Kim Johnson @KimJohnsonMP]

Exciting news! 🎉

Neighbourhood Programme Manager for Liverpool's Pride in Place Programme is now being recruited.

This role will work with each neighbourhood's Chair & Board to help deliver the 10-year vision & action plans.

Closing date: 4th June

https://t.co/T2oueDgvgi

[CllrNicholas @CllrNicholas]

Dont miss this great community event. Even more than ever, we need to support residents. Delighted to be able to use the Local Neighbourhood Funding to support this initiative for a second year. @LiverpoolLabour