Simon Stokes 🌹

[Simon Stokes 🌹 @worlesimon]

@LabourHelen @batreslab Hi Helen,
Avon Wildlife trust has taken on a new nature reserve at Ebdon Farm in Wick St Lawrence. They are discussing it at their AGM next Saturday at the Watershed in Bristol from 2:30-5:30pm

[Simon Stokes 🌹 @worlesimon]

@RealCounties Hopefully the Unitary Authorities in Historic Yorkshire still recognise the fact they are still part of their historic counties Our three Somerset Unitary Councils do, as they share the same lieutenancy area apart from South Bristol, which is now part of Bristol City & County

[Simon Stokes 🌹 @worlesimon]

@LabourHelen @batreslab Definitely 👍

[Greg Stone 🔶 @gm_stone]

This statement has eventually been issued this morning. https://t.co/IX0a0o0XkR

[UNISON - UK's largest union @unisontheunion]

Racism has no place in our workplaces or our communities.

That's why UNISON proudly supports #ShowRacismTheRedCard and its work to challenge racism, promote inclusion and inspire the next generation.

Join @AndreaEganGS today on #WearRedDay and show your support ❤️ #WRD26

[Weston-super-Mare Labour Party🌹 @WSMLabour]

💜 Good Grief Weston returns 15–18 October with four days of art, music, workshops and compassionate conversations about death, dying and bereavement. Celebrating community, connection and the power of sharing.

Find out more: https://t.co/kcVJlyhpNK

#GoodGriefWeston

[Co-operative Party @CoopParty]

🚨 NEW: @AndyBurnham confirms co-operative principles will be at the heart of the new National Care Service!

Our first Labour and Co-operative Prime Minister responds to Labour and Co-operative MP @jackabbott90 at today's PMQs.

[Farrukh @implausibleblog]

After the Brexit referendum in 2016, Nigel Farage predicted that the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Austria and Italy would also leave.

The data tells a very different story. Here’s how favourability towards the EU changed from 2016 to 2025:

🇳🇱 Netherlands - from 72% to 81%
🇩🇰 Denmark - from 62% to 85%
🇸🇪 Sweden - from 64% to 85%
🇦🇹 Austria - 37% to 51%
🇮🇹 Italy - 33% to 52%

Each of the countries Farage identified in 2016 has instead become more pro European Union.

And as of October 2026, 10 countries are in the EU enlargement process: 🇦🇱Albania, 🇧🇦Bosnia and Herzegovina, 🇬🇪Georgia, 🇽🇰Kosovo, 🇲🇩Moldova, 🇲🇪Montenegro, 🇲🇵North Macedonia, 🇷🇸Serbia, 🇹🇷Türkiye and 🇺🇦Ukraine.

My view: After Andy Burnham's speech on the possibility of the UK rejoing the EU, Brexiters are having a meltdown claiming membership costs too much, we are better off outside the EU, etc.

The simple questions to ask is why, if these are genuine concerns, haven't the five countries Farage identified ten years ago as leaving, left? And why are 10 more countries trying to get closer to the EU?

Could it be that all of these countries understand the value of closer ties between nations, the value of freedom of movement, of a single currency, or unfettered trade enriching everyone in the club, and that the benefit of being in the club far outweigh the membership fees?

Brexit was sold as the answer to problems Britain had been struggling with for years: pressure on the NHS, a shortage of affordable housing, declining public services and communities that felt neglected.

Immigration was often blamed. But many of those problems were the result of government policy: years of austerity, cuts to councils, too few council homes, weak infrastructure investment, the erosion of NHS dentistry and repeated failures to expand services alongside population growth.

The frustrations were real. The diagnosis was often wrong.

Leaving the EU did not fix those problems. It added trade barriers and economic costs. The OBR continues to estimate that Brexit will leave UK long-run productivity around 4% lower than it otherwise would have been.

That matters because stronger growth means a larger tax base and more money available for housing, healthcare, councils, transport and public services.

Rejoining the EU would not magically repair Britain, but closer economic integration would remove barriers and strengthen the economy. We would still need better government choices — but we would have more resources with which to make them.

The problems that helped cause Brexit were largely problems of domestic policy. Blaming immigrants distracted from that. Fixing them means reversing the bad policy choices that created them in the first place.

Btw that's Nathan Gill standing behind Nigel Farage. Long-time friend of Farage who is now sitting in jail for pushing narratives favourable to Russia over Ukraine while questioning Ukraine’s democratic credentials and suitability for closer EU integration.

[West of England Mayoral Combined Authority @WestofEnglandCA]

Manchester might have something to say about this one… 👀

But, over the last five years, the West of England has been the fastest-growing regional economy in the country.

Mayor Helen Godwin recently spoke to Andrew Neil about how keeping some of the income tax generated in our region could help us build on our growth and invest more in things our region really needs, including better transport.

[Farrukh @implausibleblog]

Andy Burnham outlines how the upcoming UK-EU summit will increase UK trade by at least £10 billion a year by 2040

My view: While this is a welcome first step we are significantly strides away from a major boost to our economy. Until Brexit is undone, and we rejoin the EU, we will carry on with marginal improvements to our trade.

[The Labour Party @UKLabour]

Congratulations to Sagal Abdi-Wali, Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras!

[Simon Stokes 🌹 @worlesimon]

Congratulations to Sagal Abdi-Wali and the Labour team in Holborn & St Pancras on a superb victory, keep up all your good work

[Sagal Abdi-Wali MP @Sagal_AW]

Thank you ❤️

[Sky News @SkyNews]

"We led with hope, and the people of Holborn and St Pancras came with us on that journey of hope."

Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali addresses party members after winning last night's by-election.

https://t.co/JJhyOLjSbl

📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube

[Simon Stokes 🌹 @worlesimon]

@MirrorPolitics Good luck to Sagal Abdi-Wali and the Labour Campaign team in Holborn & St Pancras in today’s by-election

[Simon Stokes 🌹 @worlesimon]

Many thanks to Ann Black for your many years of service and support for the Labour Party on the NEC and Best of luck for the future

[Ann Black - @annblack.bsky.social @AnnBlackLabour]

Best leader's speech that I can remember - as I leave the NEC, thanks to everyone for everything, and good luck 🌹🌹🌹

[Co-operative Party @CoopParty]

With ownership back on the agenda after Labour Conference, Interim General Secretary @CaitProwle makes the case for putting more power in more hands.

Who owns Britain matters. It decides whose interests come first, who benefits and who gets a say.

[Yvette Cooper @YvetteCooperMP]

This Labour government is restoring vital Sure Start health services to every family hub across the country.

Because every child deserves the Best Start in Life.

[electionmapsuk @electionmapsuk]

Amble (Northumberland) Council By-Election Result:

🌹 LAB: 38.8% (+0.4)
➡️ RFM: 33.5% (-10.9)
🌳 CON: 21.0% (+3.8)
◼️ RES: 6.7% (New)

Labour GAIN from Reform UK.
Changes w/ 2025.

[Simon Stokes 🌹 @worlesimon]

Huge congratulations to the Labour candidate and campaign team in Hirst, Northumberland on a superb victory, Keep up all your good work

[electionmapsuk @electionmapsuk]

Hirst (Northumberland) Council By-Election Result:

🌹 LAB: 50.1% (+7.0)
➡️ RFM: 30.0% (-20.0)
◼️ RES: 10.3% (New)
🌳 CON: 4.1% (-2.8)
🔶 LDM: 3.9% (New)
🙋 Ind: 1.6% (New)

Labour GAIN from Reform UK.
Changes w/ 2025.