Nadia Whittome MP

Nadia Whittome MP stands behind wooden desks laid out in a row in a meeting room, with members of Unite East Midlands next to her in person and on an online call. Everyone is smiling for the camera.

It was great to chat with @uniteeastmids.bsky.social about why trade unionists should organise within the Labour Party and push the government to pass legislation that protects and empowers workers.

The Employment Rights Act is a historic first step. It must be implemented in full and built on.

An article from the Financial Times that reads: “UK to further curtail rights of asylum seekers. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will tighten rules on access to accommodation and financial support.”

We have a once-in-a-generation chance to replace a cruel, broken asylum system left behind by the Tories.

Instead, the government is doubling down on dehumanising policies that will needlessly ruin lives.

Black people are at the highest risk of statutory homelessness in most regions of England.

During the Women and Equalities Committee’s inquiry into Black homelessness, I asked if the government would raise Local Housing Allowance rates to better support households in need.

This policy will cause immense harm, making it harder for refugees to integrate into our communities and find work, as they will be living under constant threat of removal.

Anyone can see how destabilising and deeply counterproductive this decision is. [2/2]

I am appalled that the government has scrapped permanent refugee status for those seeking safety in the UK.

From today, refugees entering the country will face reviews every 30 months and be forced to return if their country is deemed “safe”. [1/2]

US and Israeli strikes on Iran show contempt for international law. Iran has now responded with strikes across the region.

The UK mustn't be dragged into Trump and Netanyahu's war. We must instead do everything possible to facilitate de-escalation and prevent more innocent people from being killed.

This possibility inevitably makes tactical voting essential in some seats, and Labour is playing with fire.

But fundamentally, this shows why first past the post isn’t fit for purpose. If the government doesn’t introduce proportional voting, a far right party could win the next general election outright on a minority of the vote.

4) Don’t say only Labour can beat Reform if - thanks to the leadership's own self-sabotage - it’s not true. Because it will be true in many other seats, and now voters won’t believe us.

3) Don't play dirty. The bizarre claims about the Greens in relation to drugs and sex workers were desperate, embarrassing, and harmful. It is no wonder they did not work and instead reflected badly on our party.

Meanwhile the terrible decision to appoint Mandelson as US Ambassador came back to bite Labour.

2) Don't put factional interests ahead of everything else. The party blocked a popular candidate in Andy Burnham, who may well have been able to win this seat, from even putting himself forward for nakedly factional reasons.

1) Don't ape Reform. In order to keep our voter coalition together we should be true to the progressive values that Labour is meant to stand for. The failure to do this meant large parts of our coalition fled to another progressive party.

Our party has just come third in Gorton and Denton, a previously safe Labour seat - an area where we haven't lost an election since 1931.

It is those running our party who are to blame. We need change at the top and serious lessons need to be learnt:

Anti-imperialism means nothing if we are not consistent. We must stand with Ukraine against Russian war crimes, aggression and occupation, and defend Ukraine’s right to self-determination.

No one wants peace more than the Ukrainian people, but it can only be a just peace. [2/2]

Four years ago today, Russia launched its full-scale illegal invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Ukrainians have been forced to choose courage in the face of unending horror. Hundreds of thousands have been killed, countless more injured, and millions are still displaced. [1/2]

They deserve a full account of the actions and failures that led to this tragedy, and a commitment that lessons will truly be learned. [2/2]

The public inquiry into the 2023 Nottingham attacks begins today.

I’m thinking of the bereaved families of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Robert Coates, the survivors, and everyone who has been affected by the terrible events that took place in our city. [1/2]

Public inquiry into Epstein links - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament That this House stands with Jeffrey Epstein’s victims whose relentless courage and pursuit of justice has led to the publication of the Epstein files; notes with concern the number of British public f...

Alongside criminal investigations, which I have also called for, there should be an independent, statutory inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein's links to British public figures and institutions. My motion calling for this has already gained 73 signatures.

Please contact your MP and ask them to sign it.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office King expresses his ‘deepest concern’ and says ‘law must take its course’ as former prince arrested at Sandringham estate

No one must be above the law, and this is a significant development.

A criminal investigation should also be re-opened into the serious accusations made by Virginia Giuffre against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

But the job isn't done: the final parts of the 2016 Trade Union Act must be repealed and the New Deal for Working People delivered in full.

I'm delighted that today the majority of the 2016 Trade Union Act was scrapped - a draconian Tory law that was deliberately designed to tie unions up in knots with red tape.

Now unions will have more rights to help win better pay and conditions in workplaces.

You can find out more about the organisation here: 4bbbb.org.uk

An image of Nadia Whittome MP surrounded by members of the Breaking Barriers Building Bridges organisation.

As part of my commitment to share my salary with local causes, I’ve donated £3,000 to Breaking Barriers Building Bridges.

It’s an inspiring organisation dedicated to supporting young people in Nottingham by offering a variety of services, including football training, youth clubs and mentoring.

Across our city, important celebrations are starting for many communities.

To Muslims beginning Ramadan, and Christians starting Lent, may this period be one of reflection and renewal.

And to all celebrating the Lunar New Year, may the Year of the Fire Horse bring with it prosperity and happiness.

The government must update outdated workplace regulations and provide consistency and dignity to trans people. [3/3]

But devastatingly, this ruling also found that trans people may be expected to use a third toilet when at work. This risks outing them, violating their privacy, and is unworkable for many employers. [2/3]

This ruling is disappointing but one thing is clear: the EHRC’s draft code of practice got the law wrong and must be changed. Women's and men's toilets can be provided on a trans-inclusive basis for customers and service users. [1/3]

Those of us who voted against the proscription warned correctly at the time that it would criminalise large numbers of people who were not even involved in Palestine Action. 2/2

I am extremely relieved that the High Court has ruled that the proscription of Palestine Action is unlawful.

The court found that the ban was a disproportionate interference with the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. 1/2