I’ve been out campaigning in Gorton & Denton today.
The response on the doors confirmed to me what all polling & fair analysis shows: this is a Labour vs Reform contest
Labour in Manchester is strong not just in activists but in public recognition of the city’s progress.
Together, we can win this
Memorial wall listing those from Sunderland who were killed fighting in Afghanistan
I stopped today at the Afghanistan panel of the Brothers in Arms memorial wall in Sunderland.
British forces fought on the front line of Afghanistan. 457 were killed, including those from #Sunderland who we will never forget.
Donald Trump’s comments are as appalling as they are wrong.
Labour announcement today: NHS waiting lists down by 86,000 in one month
Reform announcement today: another failed senior Conservative has joined
Reform are busy recruiting the people who got the country in a huge mess - Labour is busy clearing it up and renewing Britain
Lewis Atkinson and person in Sunderland strip walking out of sea
Well that was bracing: Boxing Day dip at Seaburn in support of St Benedict’s Hospice🥶
Class, daft atmosphere as ever. Well done to all who took part and thanks to all organisers.
#Sunderland at its best. Defrosting now…
Another positive milestone for Sunderland.
Thousands of jobs depend on making Electric Vehicles here.
Labour is backing them.
Why are Reform and the Tories putting jobs here at risk with their reckless opposition to green manufacturing?
Getting this right is crucial for our constituents.
As Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party’s backbench Health Committee, I know this is of real importance to colleagues too.
I’ll continue work with NHS & VCS mental health, autism & ADHD orgs to deliver for parity of esteem
This isn’t just right the thing to do - it is also right politically.
Reform UK MP’s attack the ‘anxiety generation’, suggest MH problems are ‘fashionable’ & that adaptations to reduce sensory overload are ‘insane’.
Backing evidence-based, timely support is a key dividing line.
The last Labour Govt transformed services & lives by introducing NHS talking therapies.
Now this Labour Govt must continue in that spirit - with investment AND modernisation.
6 Neighbourhood MH pilots are showing real promise as Govt recognises:
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
@rethinkcharity.bsky.social show 12x more people (15,000) are waiting 18 months for NHS MH treatment than for physical conditions
@thekingsfund.bsky.social found ADHD diagnosis waiting lists of up to ten years.
We know delays in support lead to worse outcomes, including more mental health crises.
The NHS’ traditional support model is overwhelmed. Not because of ‘overdiagnosis’ but because it hasn’t adapted fast enough to changing environment, awareness and need.
Far too many people are waiting too long for support.
The SoS, Wes Streeting is right to say that getting evidence-base on prevalence is key to ‘ensure everyone gets timely access to accurate diagnosis and effective support’.
We are currently far from parity of esteem between physical and mental health. That must change.
The Govt have announced a Review into #mentalhealth conditions, ADHD & Autism: an important opportunity to recognise evidence on prevalence & how to meet varied needs of population
Thoughts as an MP who worked in NHS MH services & who has been active on this in Parliament… 🧵
Wes Streeting on Reform’s Sarah Pochin: “She’s only sorry that she’s been caught & called out & she said the quiet bit loud. What we’ve seen in recent weeks/months is a return to 1970/80s racism. I think what she said was racist”
#bbclaurak
It was great to see real momentum at the #LabourConference for the #NeighbourhoodNHS. 🙌
🗣 opened by @danielelkeles.bsky.social and remarks from @lewisatkinson.bsky.social
🤝 focus on local, joined up and fairer care
🏥 prevention and community at the heart of reform
Very pleased to see this - happening because of UNISON’s strong campaigning and the positive way @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social has engaged positively on the issue, including with MPs such as myself who raised SubCo concerns.
A good day for one NHS team.
Drug-related deaths were at public health emergency levels even before this research which suggests they have been underreported.
We must do more to improve access to drug treatment - to save lives and to reduce costs and harm to society.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article....
Residential street with group of Labour campaigners including Bridget Phillipson MP and Lewis Atkinson MP
Great to be out with @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social campaigning in one of our marginal wards this afternoon.
We need a campaigning deputy leader who can unite the party and defeat Reform: that’s why I’m proud to #BackBridget
Labour Deputy Leadership
Given the geographical distribution of other leading members of the party & Government, it would not be acceptable to have a London Deputy leader.
We need to represent and win across the whole of the UK.
I’ll be looking to support a non-London woman.
Proud of our city, proud to be English 🏴
What a night for #Sunderland on the world stage.
Crowd stood at war memorial
Sunderland remembers #VJDay 80 years on.
An honour to be at the war memorial this morning to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Sunderland’s servicemen in the Far East.
They included my great uncle Lally Mackintosh from the East End who fought in Burma.
Counting down to 3pm Saturday, I managed to work a cheeky #SAFC Premier League preview into a speech.
The first time Mayenda’s views on Sam Fender have been discussed in the House of Commons 👀🔴⚪️
Happy #nationalmackemday, it’s a good one with another SAFC signing.
Thanks to A Love Supreme for leading the commemoration of this important and historic day.
Group of litter pickers outside Millfield Metro Station
3 people picking litter
Selfie of Lewis Atkinson MP with Group in pub enjoying food and drink
Improving #Sunderland - together 💪🔴⚪️
Fantastic response at my community clean-up, including from local charities, faith groups and businesses.
We can make such a positive difference when we work together, as we did in the aftermath of the riot last year.
Get in Lucy Bronze! Forged in Sunderland
🦁🏴💪
A big health policy day, the launch of the Government’s welcome 10 year health plan.
The plan rightly emphasises empowering patients, so I chose to ask about how that applies in #mentalhealth.
We need to improve #NHS MH access - and data about waiting times to help get them down.
Humanists are increasingly recognised in areas of public life: in education, in national services including Remembrance, in the NHS, 'yet humanist marriages are still not recognised, it is absolutely overdue.' @lewisatkinson.bsky.social
Fundamentals remain as #AssistedDying clocks up 100 hours Parliamentary consideration:
- MPs know status quo is cruel & untenable
- All passed amendments further tighten Bill (eg advertising ban)
On analysis of votes today, I’m v confident it will pass at 3rd reading next Fri
‘Investing in Britain’s renewal’ text on a Union flag background with Labour logo
Investment not decline. Stability not chaos.
The decisions taken by Labour mean we are able to invest in the NHS, in security, in transport, in public services.
We are investing to deliver change, so people are better off.
Love it! My lecture today mainly focused on the foundation of the Cooperative movement… 😁
Lewis Atkinson MP outside ‘Grand cinema’
Lewis Atkinson inside cinema, overlooking screen and stained glass windows
Printed aged sign, outlining that Beamish has been nominated for museum of the year
Family outing at @beamishmuseum.bsky.social, got to enjoy the old Grand Electric cinema from Ryhope for the first time.
Beamish is one of my favourite places in the world, and a hugely important institution for ALL of the NE: proud to see them shortlisted for @artfund.bsky.social #museumoftheyear
