Labour's spring statement showed progress but Gorton & Denton proved people still feel the pinch and popular policies haven't cut through.
I argue policy & narrative must work together, relentless delivery backing up a story proudly told at every turn 👇
leftfootforward.org/2026/03/fabi...
Labour is at risk of being ejected out of power by a populist wave from Reform and the Greens.
So how should the party respond?
I argue in my @labourlist.bsky.social column that Labour embrace its own authentic tradition of populism.
labourlist.org/2026/03/ben-...
You can see all our papers and watch discussions live from 2pm ⬇️
democracy.manchester.gov.uk/ieListDocume...
Today is Economy & Regeneration day at @mancitycouncil.bsky.social!
Our Committee will discuss:
🏠 our housing services regulatory judgement
🏡 our Tenancy Strategy
📈 business support for Manchester businesses
🌳 growing and supporting the green economy.
Brilliant atmosphere as we gear up for the #labourdoorstep in Gorton & Denton today with our big union campaign day to get Labour's Angeliki Stogia elected.
Labour strengthened rights to make work fairer, Reform voted to block them.
Only Labour offer solidarity, instead of division with Reform.
If you want to know more, then you can find all our papers and watch the discussion live from 2pm here:
democracy.manchester.gov.uk/ieListDocume...
*The ABID is Manchester's Accommodation Business Improvement District, the £1 levy on room bookings in city centre hotels used for marketing, events, and improving the city's welcome.
You could say it's MCR's proof-of-concept precursor to the govt's Visitor Levy (in consultation).
It's Economy & Regeneration day at @mancitycouncil.bsky.social! Today our committee will discuss:
🏛️MCC's 2026/27 budget and how new investment will be spent in Growth & Development and Highways
🌆 MCR's evening & night-time economy
🏩 MCR's visitor economy & the ABID*
And I highlighted last week's fantastic edited collection exploring lessons from devolution across Europe, alongside work that I'm now leading on good governance in strategic authorities.
If you are interested in this work, then please just get in touch!
fabians.org.uk/publication/...
Local government, esp. councils, shape everyday life & local economies, and after a decade of damaging austerity, the sector is finally turning a corner. Across growing our economy, caring for our climate & building housing—it's local & regional government at the frontline getting things done.
I've reflected particularly on her point that some of the most exciting change sits in smaller budget lines, like parks & libraries, with an outsized, equitable impact on families & communities. To open the session, I set out why local government matters, as the most visible part of the state.
Enjoyed my first @thefabians.bsky.social Conference as a staff member this weekend. I met many members, thinkers & ministers enthusastic about renewing Britain.
At our renewing local government session, I was privileged to introduced @allymcgovern.bsky.social, who's helping drive that renewal.
Many lessons from devolved governance in different countries:
1. Devolving is hard (eg France)
2. Coordination and respect are vital (eg Italy)
3. Fiscal devolution is essential (eg Germany)
The Devolution Bill is England's chance to do this properly.
📢 New Year Conference: Renewing Britain
PLUS... A very special guest keynote speaker. 👀
Want to know who it is? Get your ticket and find out on Saturday 24 January!
This is really good news - and timely after I pushed again at Economy and Regen Scrutiny for @mancitycouncil.bsky.social to have greater powers to tackle pavement parking.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
@cllrmarcus.bsky.social
@manchesterlabour.bsky.social
@jeffsmithmp.bsky.social
We defo say this in MCR too - mostly why to avoid town that night 😭
You can tell us how you want this extra funding spent with our survey, and we’ll feed it into the Council’s thinking ⬇️
bit.ly/dgideas
This evening the Deansgate Labour team have been asking residents in Castlefield how they want Manchester City Council to invest the extra funding that our Government is allocating to Manchester.
New paper out today: How can we provide income security for the self-employed?
Pleasure to work with @communityunion.bsky.social @prospectunion.bsky.social @bectu.bsky.social
This paper sets out potential solutions for this vital group of people
Jeevun Sandher MP spoke on the BBC to say "I am really proud about the fact that the way I look has never made me feel any less British". He said that is not what Nigel Farage believed as a school child. It is not what Sarah Pochin believes today.
x.com/JeevunSandhe...
2024 was quite a year for Manchester. From world class events, more jobs and a record number of council homes built.
Here’s to making Manchester an even better city. The best place to grow up and get on- where everyone benefits from our growth.
The Sea Wall matters to Labour
They are looking to Reform, but the government can win them back
There should be a relentless focus on the cost of living
But the Gov needs to show the country values the contribution that coastal communities make
Read my column for @labourlist.bsky.social 👇
“This is a strong budget, grounded in Labour values.”
Our General Secretary, @joedromey.bsky.social welcomes the budget and the Chancellor’s commitment to lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.
These aren’t small challenges, whether building a stronger fairer economy, tackling climate change, or rebuilding hope and agency in our democracy locally and nationally. This is what I will be getting stuck right into from day one.
It’s an important time to think about the politics alongside the policy, to work for delivery now, and reflect what more is needed over the years ahead and the challenges they will bring.
Today I have started my new role as a Senior Researcher at @thefabians.bsky.social
I’m excited to get started developing new ideas and to continue (my longtime passion of) thinking about the future of the Left.
Happy to help you! It was not right and I'm glad it's now been postponed.
Thanks for being such a great spot for getting a drink in town!
🎟️ Your new all-access consumer protection just dropped ✨
The Government is announcing today that ticket resellers will be BANNED from selling tickets above face value.
We've been backing music fans and we'll see you on the barrier for these brand new protections 🫶
We’re meeting at Abraham Moss Leisure Centre because it’s important that decisionmaking happens right across the city not just in the town hall, and our reports have a strong North Manchester theme!
We’re live from 2pm. Watch and read our papers at: democracy.manchester.gov.uk/ieListDocume...
Today is Economy & Regeneration Committee at @ManCityCouncil.
We’ll discuss:
🏬 the district centres programme including Chorlton, Wythenshawe Civic & Moston
🏗️ Victoria North & North Manchester General Hospital regeneration
🏚️ the strategy to deal with stubbornly empty homes.
