Wirral West has cried out for positive and meaningful change.
That job starts now. Thank you for giving me the honour to be your Member of Parliament.
I will not let you down.
Accidental thread on Wiley tweets:
I am Jewish. The anti Semitic tweets from Wiley don’t just make me sad or angry.
They chip away at my feeling safe.
I worry how many other people might secretly think the same as him.
Asked guy in restaurant if they were doing eat out to help out.
His response: “What, are you Jewish?”
My response: “...yes.”
Awkward silence. I smiled and left.
This casual anti semitism happens far too much. It leaves me feeling uneasy.
Frank Field was a titan in British politics. He was a dear friend of mine and I miss him greatly.
This week, I make my maiden speech in the House of Commons about what Frank taught me: how to disagree well, and learn always.
Full speech available here:
As a kid at Park High in Birkenhead I’d never have imagined that one day, I’d be selected to be Wirral West’s next Labour MP. We are going to have to work hard to win but together, I know we can do it.
So part of my day today will be checking Twitter and hoping to see good people calling this out.
But I’ll also be dreading the tweets defending him.
And when I see one, I’ll worry how many likes it has and what that means more people feel about Jewish people.
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Delighted to have been shortlisted to be Labour’s candidate in Wirral West.
I’m looking forward to speaking to members and setting out our plan to keep a Labour MP in the constituency. 🌹
Find out more about my campaign:
But increasingly, when I see tweets like this (in a long line of troubling anti semitism I have witnessed and experienced over years), I worry her warnings are more relevant than I’d hoped.
My mezuzah is also indoors.
On the Wirral, people are calling out for change and we’re working to deliver it.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning for our launch.
An incredible turnout from a brilliant and dedicated team, new members, and first time campaigners. Let’s go!🌹
Great to campaign for you
@PauletteHamilto
- and lovely to meet you. Response from voters I spoke with was clear: they’re voting Labour!
🌹 🌹 🌹
#labourdoorstep
My grandma keeps her mezuzah indoors. (A mezuzah is a Jewish prayer inside a case and put usually on the entrance to a home.)
She moved it indoors years ago and told me it was safer for people not to know she was Jewish.
And sometimes, against my better judgement, I’ll look at the twitter profiles of those tweeting support. I’ll scroll through, see more hate and then get myself off Twitter.
The Wirral is my home and the place I love.
I’m grateful to have the support of members from across the Wirral for my campaign to be the next Labour candidate.
Wirral West will be a close election - but I know that with my experience and drive we can win it, together.
She tells me stories of the anti semitism she faced as a child and growing up. I always feel these stories carry a warning.
I want to think that she carries the fear of her generation and that I don’t have to share those same worries.
I spent today knocking doors in Mid Beds. Spoke to a couple in their eighties who told me they’d always voted Tory but they couldn’t bring themselves to any longer.
They told me
@alistrathern
represents the change they want to see. Local, hardworking and honest! 🌹
The Wirral is my home. It would be the honour of my life to represent the place I love as Labour's parliamentary candidate. 🌹
If you're a member in Wirral West, please do get in touch. Let's win for the Wirral, together.
Frank Field cared deeply about people and refused to be bound by the status quo. That drove his outstanding work campaigning against poverty and for Birkenhead. He taught me to be careful and reasonable when arguing for what I believe in and never to give up.
I’ll miss him.
Errr.
@blackwellbooks
- is this you giving credence to the most famous anti semitic conspiracy theory?
Pretty alarming you consider they might be genuine. No evidence it’s fake? Debunked for 100 years!
Reckon you could get this fixed before Wednesday (Holocaust Memorial Day)?
A morning in Hoylake hearing about the change people want to see.
People want an NHS that works for everyone and for our economy to be thriving again.
Some lifelong Tories told me they’ll not vote for them again. And we have two new members! 🌹
I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received to be Labour’s next parliamentary candidate here in Wirral West.
If you’re a member in Wirral West, please do get in touch to talk about how we can win for the Wirral, together. 🌹
Amazing to welcome back
@LouiseEllman
to Labour. Felt emotional hearing her speak last night. As a Jewish member, Louise coming back makes me more hopeful for our party.
#Lab21
Frank Field was my MP when I first joined
@UKLabour
(and for many years before that!)
He loves Birkenhead and served my home town with an incredible commitment as MP.
It’s no surprise that through his illness he’s still standing up for what he believes.
All the best Frank ❤️
Today, Frank Field would have turned 82.
Frank continues to have an enormous impact on me. For him, disagreements were a reason to talk, not to turn off.
I miss him terribly.
Great to meet the fantastic
@UKLabour
candidate in Old Bexley and Sidcup,
@danfrancis02
on the
#labourdoorstep
The 🌧 soon cleared for us to get a selfie in the ☀️ - a clear good sign!
This came up on my featured photos - 2013 just before I became a Councillor on the Wirral.
An incredible five years. A tough period, but we worked hard to empower residents to change their communities. I’m proud of that time.
Local Government matters.
(I look so young!!)
In Heswall today, the message was clear: we need a change of government to save our NHS.
I spoke to lifelong Tories who are voting Labour so we can bring down waiting times and get our NHS back on its feet.
On Friday, I met with the Royal Mail team in Hoylake, and followed a postie on his round. Thanks to everyone I met for what you do for the community, and especially to Dave for letting me tag along with him.
We can end new HIV cases in the UK by 2030. I’m determined to help make that happen.
Today I met with the excellent
@THTorguk
and
@NAT_AIDS_Trust
to hear about that historic goal and what’s needed in a new HIV Action Plan to make it a reality.
#0HIVby30
But as I said today, winning isn’t the prize - change is. The country is waiting for a Labour Government to restore our public services and help our economy thrive, and I am ready to work to make it happen.
Covid has ruined my taste buds (and thankfully nothing else
#vaccine
).
Decided to eat an onion.
Going to try a coffee later. I hate coffee.
What else should I try?
Eight years since we beat Esther McVey in Wirral West.
I am proud that we built an incredible campaign team of all the talents from across Merseyside.
We were relentless, campaigning every day for three years to deliver a win for Labour against the national swing. 🌹
This is the moment I tell you how and why this frightens me and many Jewish people.
But I’m tired. I’ve done this before (see below).
Celebrities, with legions of fans, peddle anti semitic conspiracies. It’s sick and makes Jewish people unsafe.
As Leader of Wirral Council, Phil Davies demonstrated the power that Labour representatives can have to improve the lives of the people of the Wirral.
I’m so proud to have his support to represent Wirral West.
Today, I joined colleagues from the Wirral to hear
@MetroMayorSteve
speak with passion about delivering a first-class bus service.
This policy is bold, built on a positive vision, and can get our public transport working for us all.
Labour in power makes a positive difference.
Thanks to residents on the Woodchurch this morning for talking to our Labour campaigners.
We need a Government with a different approach - one that will target funding so we can save vital services and get Britain’s future back.
Labour is ready to deliver.
Great to be at your campaign launch today,
@MetroMayorSteve
. Ambitious plans for our region - from transport (inc a new train station for the Woodchurch) to pioneering Artificial Intelligence for good.
Excited for our region’s future. 🌹
✍️ If you place your trust in me once again on 2 May, then together we’ll seize the pen to write the next chapter in our region’s story.
🌹 We're taking back our future.
I’m honoured to have the backing of the
@CWUnews
to be Labour’s candidate for Wirral West.
I was an active member of the CWU and youth officer of my branch here in Merseyside. As your MP, I will always stand up for working people.
Today, friends joined me for a campaign day. 🌹
We had great speeches (thanks
@Alison_McGovern
&
@MerseysidePCC
), campaigning (thanks all!) and ‘vote Matthew’ cupcakes (thanks Sue Percy!).
People want an election so we can turn the page on this failing Government.
One month on from the horrific events on October 7th, in the midst of a tragic and devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, I have written this piece on the importance of being kind, and trying to keep our communities united.
So picturesque in Heswall tonight. 🌨️
Delivering my letter outlining plans to tackle the cost of living crisis, boost the economy and get the NHS back on its feet.
I went back to speak to him just now.
He told me it is a joke that’s been in this country for many years and it wasn’t aimed at me. But that’s not the point.
Told him how it made me feel. He said sorry.
Glad I spoke to him and explained how it can hurt. Glad he said sorry.
Asked guy in restaurant if they were doing eat out to help out.
His response: “What, are you Jewish?”
My response: “...yes.”
Awkward silence. I smiled and left.
This casual anti semitism happens far too much. It leaves me feeling uneasy.
A lovely conference tradition is meeting up with friends from Wirral Labour Party. Lots of friendly faces and committed campaigners - always great fun. 🌹
The Tories think they can win by dividing us with their ‘culture wars’, but voters can see it’s the return of the Nasty Party- and they don’t want it.
Me for
@LabourList
"The GB News-ification of the Tories is incredibly dangerous and worrying for those on the receiving end of their attacks. We in the Labour Party need to be prepared to fight it."
@Matthew_Patrick
on how Labour should tackle a nasty Tory party:
14 years of the Tories has left the
#NHS
crumbling. No surprise that satisfaction is at a record low. Only Labour has a plan to get it back on its feet. A vote for Labour on 4th July is a vote for the NHS.
Tomorrow, I’ll be striking for the first time in my career.
I do so in hope that the Government will bring forward a fair pay deal.
My colleagues deserve the dignity of being able to pay their bills.
Please visit a picket line and show your support.
If
@blackwellbooks
want to profit from offensive material, it must take responsibility.
It’s stopped selling the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, but it hasn’t stopped selling hatred without any warnings.
Please support my campaign to get this changed.
I set up
@WirralYoungLab
over a decade ago. Thanks to young members like
@jimmysergi_
, it now plays a crucial role in Labour victories across the Wirral.
I’m grateful to Jimmy for his support.
One key thing I’ll take away from
@JewishLabour
’s conference today is this message from
@margarethodge
.
Thanks to the work of Keir Starmer in tackling antisemitism, we can now focus on Labour’s future and not its recent past.
I enjoy working from home, but it makes learning from colleagues harder. I get less face time with senior staff. My front room has a desk and chair in it. Work life balance is blurred. It’s miserable doing it every day.
For me, that’s not worth a shorter commute. Balance is key.
Another day campaigning in Chester for the brilliant
@CllrSDixon
.
Always good to see garden stakes popping up and people joining the party.
#Chester22
#VoteLabour
Today has been a Woodchurch special. Knocking on doors to speak to people about issues and then meeting constituents at my surgery.
Lots to do to follow up on the issues raised.
Hard work. All year round.
If someone applies for an advertised role, they deserve a reply.
Most applications are emailed. How hard is it to copy emails over and send a ‘thanks for applying but you didn’t get it’ email?
People spend hours applying. It’s basic courtesy to reply.
Brilliant news for the Wirral. Well done to everyone involved in this important deal.
Good for jobs and our economy 👏
Cant wait to see our new Mersey Ferry built ⛴️
WATCH 📽️ | Last week
@LCRMayor
announced the new Mersey Ferry would be built entirely in the Liverpool City Region as he signed contract with Wirral shipbuilder Cammell Laird.
The deal will bring jobs to the region and secure the future of the ferries for generations to come ⛴️
Keir Starmer is right when he says this is not protest but organised, violent thuggery.
I’m glad the full force of the law will be used against those who have brought fear to our streets through violence.
I condemn those who have stoked this anger and hatred through
I utterly condemn the far-right thuggery we have seen this weekend.
Be in no doubt: those who have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law.
What a career Jon Snow has had.
Lucky enough to have met him with Wirral Young Labour at Labour conference back in 2012.
We don’t half look young then!
From the last night at conference. Had a great time - despite being drenched 🌧 🌧 🌧
Old and new friends. I’ll be out knocking on doors this weekend. Feeling good after
#Lab21
I’m thankful for support from members across the new Wirral West constituency to represent them as our parliamentary candidate.
Thanks to Mike and Jenny in Clatterbridge for backing my campaign.
Nobody deserves to suffer antisemitism. Good MP or rubbish MP, it’s always wrong. MP or not an MP, it’s always wrong. Hardworking person or not, it’s always wrong. Antisemitism = wrong - whoever is being targeted.
This is vile. Anti semitism is too often waved away. It must be taken seriously.
When I was little and we left synagogue, people used to check under the car for bombs. We had guards at every service.
Britain. 21st century. Kids waiting to make sure they aren’t bombed.
2011 me. Trying to convince people:
- Alternative vote could be good.
- Austerity was going too far.
2020 me. Trying to convince people:
- Bill Gates isn’t trying to cull the population.
- Vaccines are good.
- Politicians don’t eat babies.
🤦♂️
Rory Stewart is showing all of them up. Best (and only honest) answer to ‘biggest weakness’ question and good on him for calling out machismo politics.
#C4Debate
I have campaigned with Barbara for almost fifteen years and she is one of our best.
So proud to have her support to become Labour’s next MP for Wirral West.
An important plan from Labour to rescue dentistry.
I’ve spoken with people who resorted to performing dentistry on themselves. The stories are heartbreaking.
This plan will help to give people their dignity, health and relief from pain. It can’t come soon enough.
NEW: Labour will rescue NHS dentistry.
Under the Tories, millions are being denied basic healthcare. With Labour, NHS dentistry will be there for all who need it.
Being Jewish, I’ve never felt comfortable identifying as BAME. I wrote about this in
@JewishNewsUK
I want
@UKLabour
to be part of this debate.
If you read it, I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
I’m proud to have the support of
@labour4europe
to be Labour’s next MP in Wirral West.
We must rebuild our relationship with Europe and end the chaos that this Government has caused.
@labour4europe
is nominating
@Matthew_Patrick
to be the next Labour MP for Wirral West.
As a local councillor Matthew knows the harm Brexit has done to businesses & people across the constituency and would fight to ensure Labour ends the Brexit chaos for his community & the UK
Glenda Jackson was a stalwart of the Labour movement all her life. Born in Birkenhead and raised in west Wirral, she knew what we in Merseyside all know, that culture and politics go hand in hand. May her memory be a blessing.
Labour in power delivers lasting change.
Delighted we are getting these new trains on the Wirral. Pioneering as the first new fleet in the country providing step-free access for all.
All aboard! 🚉
The Liverpool City Region’s new state-of-the-art publicly owned trains will cross the Mersey next week as they begin their phased roll out on the Wirral,
@MetroMayorSteve
has announced
Find out more 👇
As a proud trade unionist, I’m thankful to
@UsdawUnion
for supporting my campaign to be Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Wirral West.
If elected as your MP, I will always stand up for shop workers.
With amazing trade unionists, I marched to
#DemandBetter
for working people across the country.
Britain needs a pay rise. It’s needed one for over a decade. Now more than ever.
#joinaunion
Today, we are on strike. For many of us here, it’s our first strike.
Support from people has been amazing. Beeping buses, picket line poetry and flying flags.
We don’t do this lightly. We hope it makes a difference.
Please support us.
This is dangerous nonsense coming out of Tory Party conference.
Peddling conspiracy theories is not befitting of a Member of Parliament.
But I am sure the public see this Government is responsible for the state of our public services and the rise in the cost of living.
An appreciation post for
@Jan4Ainsdale
- our newest
@UKLabour
Councillor in Southport. She led a great campaign that resulted in those delightful words: Labour gain! 🌹
The last day of 🏃♂️ 💯 km for
@homestartuk
@HSCamden
@HollyJesHiggins
and I have passed our fundraising target (secretly hoping we can reach £1000 now). We’ve got 10km left to run today!
Please sponsor us if you can.