If we're serious about rebuilding trust in politics, we need institutions that are representative, accountable and fit for the 21st century. I've joined colleagues in writing to the Prime Minister to call for a National Commission of citizens and experts to examine options for reform.

Adult social care is in desperate need of reform. I welcome Andy's decision to bring forward the independent commission into adult social care by a year and to begin cross-party talks today. This is the kind of politics we need: problem solving, not point scoring. We have to get this right.

Delighted that the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal has been awarded the prestigious The Green Flag Award (an international accreditation programme that recognises well managed parks and green spaces). Big thanks to everyone at the Canal and River Trust and their volunteers.

I’m pleased that the new Prime Minister has scrapped VAT for electricity bills from October 1. Heating is a necessity - not a luxury - and should be taxed as such.

The length and rate of paternity leave in England is far too low. The status quo means parental leave is a luxury that only the wealthiest in our society can afford. That’s why I am proud to be backing Movember’s campaign for extra time with dads. And good luck to the England team tonight!

This week I joined the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health in Parliament to discuss their report 'State of Child Health 2026'. Children’s health across the UK continues to decline, especially in the poorest areas. The report highlighted 12 child health indicators including obesity... 🧵 1/2

I have a caseworker vacancy in my office in Stroud. www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...

My statement on the Labour leadership election:

I know which one would get my vote. But you’ve got to feel for the people of Clacton.

The 4th episode of Simon Says Let's Talk is out now featuring the brilliant doctor and comic - Phil Hammond. There's definitely a parental advisory warning for this one! To listen, visit buff.ly/0QgcGtK

Wishing a very happy 78th birthday to our NHS. Every day, doctors, nurses, paramedics, NHS staff and volunteers go above and beyond to care for us. Thank you for everything you do.

Dr Hussam Abu Safia has been held illegally by the IDF for more than 500 days. His detention is part of a wider IDF policy of targeting health workers. I have written to the Foreign Secretary to ensure that the British government do everything possible to secure his urgent release.

It's great that pubs have the chance to open late on Sunday. John Prescott would approve. Like me he used to play for the Parliamentary football team, by all accounts more enthusiastic than skilful. Hoping that England are both skilful and enthusiastic against Mexico.

We must abandon the idea that one size fits all. Different places have different needs. My piece for the New Statesman on the opportunity we now have to fashion an NHS that is rooted in the communities it serves. www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/he...

Devolution is the best medicine for the NHS

Manchesterism can deliver a place-based health service that reflects local requirements, while maintaining national standards

newstatesman.com

I was in the audience whilst Andy set out his vision for the country. The biggest challenge facing Britain is the over-centralisation of power in Westminster and Whitehall. Real change means trusting local communities with the powers to shape their own futures. (1/2)

Diana Johnson is the Minister of State in the Department for Work/Pensions, and has one of the most interesting offices in Westminster. This week I met her and Pat McFadden, the department's Secretary of State, to discuss the reforms necessary to make the fit note system work for everyone. 🧵 1/2

Great to hear that after our pressure the government has confirmed the re-opening of the medical evacuation scheme for critically injured children in Gaza. Earlier this month, I co-signed an open letter coordinated by @simonforstroud.bsky.social urgently calling for the government to take action.

Clive Lewis MP@labourlewis.bsky.social · 2mo ago

1/2 I have signed a letter to the Government, alongside over 100 MPs, calling for the UK to urgently reopen and scale up medical evacuations for critically ill children in Gaza.

2/2 We cannot ignore the scale of suffering. The war has devastated Gaza's health system and thousands of children are trapped without access to life-saving treatment. The UK has a moral duty to act.

1/2 I have signed a letter to the Government, alongside over 100 MPs, calling for the UK to urgently reopen and scale up medical evacuations for critically ill children in Gaza.

Episode 3 of Simon Says Let's Talk is out now, featuring Robbie Savage and Dale Vince. Visit buff.ly/5ZOrSJm and buff.ly/lVeN4FF to listen now!

Something special happened today - a constituent brought in flowers for a member of my casework team as a thank you for the work she did helping to resolve an intractable issue with an energy supplier that had been going on for two years. One of the best parts of being an MP is dealing... 🧵 1/2

Oh my... I'm not sure about this😧

Absolutely thrilled for Stroud's Chrissie Lowery and the Night Angels team for winning the first ever Prevention of Violence Against Women And Girls Award (Grassroots Community Award), which was presented by Natalie Fleet yesterday. Really well deserved. www.angelprojectuk.org

Heatwaves exacerbate inequality, and increase the risk of people suffering poor health as a result. Climate change means that these weather events will become more frequent. Now is not the time to row back on our commitment to net zero. fairnessfoundation.com/inequality-k...

Inequality Knocks Again

How wealth inequality exacerbates the risks of extreme heat in the UK, and what to do about it

fairnessfoundation.com

Danny’s dad in Roald Dahl’s Danny the Champion of the World is the best. Most dads are a bit more mixed. But we still love them.

Over the weekend, I spent some time in Makerfield supporting Andy Burnham’s campaign. We need Andy’s voice here in Parliament and we need to stop Reform and their politics of division and hate.

We must choose connection over division. I fear that we are now further away from the kinder, fairer, more tolerant world sought by Jo Cox, than at any time since her death. Today is the 10th anniversary her murder. 🔗https://www.jocoxfoundation.org/2026/06/16/the-tenth-anniversary-of-jos-murder/

This week I met one of the PM's policy advisors in No 10 to talk about, amongst other things, the importance of integrating thinking on access to nature and green spaces in education - one of the key requirements of the new Natural History GCSE. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

David Hockney was one of the artists who showed me that art can capture what cameras and film cannot. What an amazing man and what an amazing contribution he made. This (A Closer Winter Tunnel Feb-March '06) was at his exhibition at the RA in 2012.

For only the second year since 2016 there has been an increase in the number of children who enjoy reading. The increase was across all ages, but was most marked in young people aged 14 - 18. Reading is the single most important activity in developing a child's cognition, academic success... 🧵 1/2

Children and young people's reading in 2026 | National Literacy Trust

This reports outlines findings from our 2026 Annual Literacy Survey, when we saw a marginal increase in reading enjoyment and frequency.

literacytrust.org.uk