Founder of
@SMPledge
. Former MP for Putney, Secretary of State for Education, Int Development, Transport & Minister for Women/Equalities, Econ Sec to Treasury.
Honour & privilege to serve in Govt since 2010. Social mobility matters to me & our country more than my ministerial career. I'll continue to do everything I can to create a country that has equality of opportunity for young people & I’ll keep working hard as MP for Putney.
.
@esthermcvey1
You can’t pick & choose on human rights & equality. Children should understand a modern & diverse Britain they’re growing up in. Matters for social mobility too - you can’t be your best if you can’t be yourself. 🏳🌈
.
@DominicRaab
when you close down a debate and Parliament, you’re closing down our democracy. 60m+ people with no representation on anything. The ultimate anti-democrat move. That’s not taking back control it’s taking away control.
Totally wrong to prorogue Parliament. Everyone can see this for what it is, a grubby attempt to force No Deal. As Privy Cllr & MP, I cannot support putting the Queen in an impossible position & closing down debate. Take back control now = take away control
Having read the detail, this deal is a fudge. It’s the worst of both worlds. Time to take the decision out of the hands of stalemated politicians and give it back to the people to decide.
#Chequersdeal
No way Gvt should force House of Commons on 2 week recess tomorrow - we have no decisions on
#Brexit
, yet just 100 days to go. Parliament should stay longer, or come back to work like everyone else in first week of January.
#KickingTheCan
and indecision is no longer an option.
MPs must be allowed a vote on the PM’s Brexit deal before Christmas. Delay won’t change the gridlock in Parliament, but does waste time we don’t have. Let’s stop
#KickingtheCan
down the Brexit road and find a different route through.
#PeoplesVoteNow
I warned before these results that a failure to get this right would risk levelling down in action, especially for those with the least privilege. Young people’s hard work deserves so much better.
Government should provide Free School Meal vouchers over the summer. I know from my experience that there are lots of difficult decisions for Ministers to take - this is an easy one.
#maketheUturn
As a long time car owner, I’ve surprised myself by swapping my polluting car for a bike. I’ll see how it goes but so far, so good! 🚲The office has a sweepstake that I’ll not last till Christmas....I reckon they’ll be buying me the drinks!
#carfree
#DVLArefund
People won’t accept a fudged Brexit or a fudged proxy referendum which resolves nothing. It’s gridlock. Britain needs direction not more political shenanigans. If Mr Farage wants a WTO Brexit then let’s put it to the people in a proper referendum ballot.
A sit in to stop Parliament being shut down? Legal case? It’s how activists force a system to listen. We’re the system
@PhilipHammondUK
- just vote to stop prorogation next week. If MPs don’t use Parliament when it’s open you can’t complain if it gets shut “New balls, please”🎾🎾
2018 Bike Update🚲: So I made it to the end of the year happily still a cyclist, confounding our summer office sweepstake that I wouldn’t last - I did! I don’t miss my car, definitely feel fitter, and I’d recommend giving it a go!
#carfree
#Putney
Important votes on Northern Ireland Bill later today. Time for all MPs to show some common sense and keep Parliament open as normal in September and October. Brexit needs resolving & only Parliament can break the deadlock. Today’s the day to stop prorogation.
Someone forgot to tell my cats the clocks went back an hour overnight. Wonderful 5am food wake up call this morning...🤣😹 Here’s celebrating all those lovely felines especially on
#BlackCatDay
too!
#CatsOfTwitter
We need long term solutions for our country, on student fees &
#Brexit
. People deserve better than short term political fixes that don’t work & won’t last. Time for a new, smarter type of politics, and let’s bring back maintenance grants while we’re at it.
Great you’re back Greg! I wouldn’t want any long term MP campaigners against
#Heathrow
expansion to miss their chance to represent their community.
#commitment
#bulldozer
Great to arrive back in the UK at Luton Airport in time for the match today and to vote against
#Heathrow
expansion tomorrow. I wouldn’t want to be abroad for either of those.
#commitments
.
Last July I said this Brexit deal was a fudge and the worst of all worlds. We’ve had 10 months of division instead of decision. Now even a second referendum is being fudged too. This deal pleases no one. I won’t be voting for it. Game’s up.
It’s now 5 months since my Times article on 16th July first saying Parliament is gridlocked on Brexit. We won’t tackle the problem if we still don’t even acknowledge it. Time for decisions from Government and Parliament before Christmas. No more
#KickingtheCan
down the road.
Having read the detail, this deal is a fudge. It’s the worst of both worlds. Time to take the decision out of the hands of stalemated politicians and give it back to the people to decide.
#Chequersdeal
Handed in
@Independent
petition of over 1m people for a
#finalsay
on Brexit. There are now clear alternatives facing Britain that will shape our lives for decades. Parliament is gridlocked. Let’s trust people to make an informed decision on Britain’s next step.
#PeoplesVote
Time for those Ministers & MPs talking tough on No Deal to back up words with action. Or is “now not the time...” as usual? Today’s vote can ensure Parliament is not shut down & prevented from stopping No Deal. What’s holding you all back? ⚽️⚽️...
Well done to
@JoJohnsonUK
on standing up for what he believes in. He was a fantastic Minister to work with whilst we were at the DfE. It’s a sad loss for Gvt, but Brexit is above party politics.
PM now won’t confirm any date for the promised meaningful vote - it’s hugely concerning. Parliament has gone round in circles on Brexit. Now today, even that’s stopped...Britain must find a direction. Kicking the can down the road again solves nothing.
#ParliamentNoSayPeopleNoSay
@DavideSands
Now the Government has made a statement that political agreement on withdrawal agreement & future framework has been reached, the requirements for the Government to make a statement to the House by 21 Jan on ‘no deal’ has been superseded. (1/2)
#AskTheCommons
It’s been a privilege to be MP serving our local community of
#Putney
#Roehampton
&
#Southfields
since 2005. I’m stepping down not away & looking forward to ramping up
@thesmpledge
. Loved being in Parliament but as I once said, sometimes you’re better off out! 😉🌈
#WatchThisSpace
Really going to miss our very cute cat Charlie - had him since a kitten and he nearly made it to 17. He led an extremely relaxed life by comparison to me!
#RspcaRescueCatsRock
#Augur
review risks backwards step on soc mobility & access to uni. Paying back debt for 40 yrs on lower earnings threshold = regressive. We need a long term, radical overhaul. Let’s scrap the fees/loans system & switch to fairer grad contribution approach
Parliament
#Brexit
debate paused but clock still runs down. Delaying Parliament vote on PM Deal till January gets same result but means business uncertainty on investment & wastes crucial time we don’t have. No vote, No plan B, No progress = No more
#KickingtheCan
down the road.
Very pleased that Parliament is back today and we can get on with business - I’ve asked the Speaker for an Urgent Question to
@hmtreasury
Ministers on the
#loancharge
review.
Brilliant day with women MPs in Parliament celebrating 100 years since women got the vote. Now we need to work for a
@5050parliament
and more diversity.
#Vote100
Happy 50th
#PrideInLondon
- lots to celebrate but also lots to keep campaigning on at home and abroad for LGBT+ rights.
@PrideInLondon
#londonpride
Can’t be at your best if you can’t be yourself.🏳️🌈
Here's my question to the PM today on how MPs should be honest with the public that broken party politics in Parliament won't find a resolution on Brexit.
#PeoplesVote
#Putney
It was an important step we took yesterday to prevent MPs being sidelined with a Parliament shutdown in the autumn - would have been a totally unacceptable way to handle Brexit from any Government. Parliament was right to stand up against it and say no.
The
@HouseofCommons
has voted against a prorogation of parliament by a majority of 41, which included 17 Conservative MPs.
WATCH📺: An excerpt from
@JustineGreening
's speech on why she felt it is so important that MPs vote to uphold Britain's tradition of parliamentary democracy
Fantastic
@PrideInLondon
today celebrating
#PrideJubilee
50 yrs. We can’t pick and choose on equality & human rights - you can only be your best if you can be yourself. That’s why this matters. Amazing atmosphere & proud to be part of it with
@LGBTQWandsworth
! 🏳️🌈🌈
It’s time to update relationships & sex education to cover 21st-century issues - such as sexting, cyberbullying and staying safe online. We want everyone, including parents, teachers and young people, to have their say. My article for
@tes
:
Thanks for all the birthday wishes today. It’s been an eventful year, but amazing to visit so many inspiring people backing the
@thesmpledge
- and remember, you don’t always get it right the first time, so keep on going! 🎥🥳
#SocialMobility
School standards are rising. Today I am announcing a new drive on literacy teaching at primary school level, building on our reforms to help make sure every child gets the best start in life - so we can make this a country fit for the future:
It’s v frustrating Chris Chope’s main efforts seem to be to stop other MPs across the House of Commons achieving their positive, often cross party and
@Conservatives
supported campaigns, including the upskirting legislation. Hope he changes his tune to start supporting.
Totally right call by PM. Assad signed the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013 and said he had destroyed his stockpile, with Russia as guarantor of that. They have no respect for international laws or human rights, and want to make them inoperable by breaching with impunity.
LGBTQ+ spaces & venues are vital for so many in our community, yet many are at risk of closure.
That’s why I’m writing to
@trussliz
asking for urgent support and protections for LGBTQ+ spaces.
We will be
#TogetherTomorrow
🏳️🌈
Brexit gridlock shows Britain needs a better Parliament, reconnected to communities, working cross party on laws that improve lives. Here’s my proposal to reform Private Members Bills, shake up the system & bring Parliament closer to people.
#makerentcount
.
@JoJohnsonUK
it was fantastic working with you at the DfE and it’s a real loss for Parliament. But you’re totally right that national interest comes first.
#overandout
It’s been an honour to represent Orpington for 9 years & to serve as a minister under three PMs. In recent weeks I’ve been torn between family loyalty and the national interest - it’s an unresolvable tension & time for others to take on my roles as MP & Minister.
#overandout
.
@RoryStewartUK
Coronavirus is too serious to play political games with just because you’re running for election. Government rightly listening to the experts, you should too.
#COBRA
#COVID2019
Government needs to be leading the discussion - not just on how to open schools but on how we make sure months of lost education doesn’t create a levelled down Britain.
📺 Me on
@GMB
Former Education Secretary @JustineGreening says that the government needs to start 'leading and shaping the debate' instead of 'constantly looking like it's behind the curve.'
She adds that parents and students have a right to expect a plan on schools reopening safely.
.
@Jake_Daniels11
- such respect - to come out at 17 is an amazing step forward on lgbt rights. It took me a lot longer, but truly felt like a weight had been lifted - you can only be your best when you can be yourself. 🏳️🌈
Thanks
@JustineForMayor
- all your support is hugely appreciated, but as an MP I'm focusing on to drive opportunity for people across our whole country so won't be putting my name forward. Want to help? Watch this and get involved!
#SocialMobility
There’s only one race I’m running. The race to make Britain the first country to have equality of opportunity for everyone.
#SocialMobility
@thesmpledge
You can’t be your best if you can’t be yourself, and it’s much harder if there’s no chance to spend time with people you can relate to.
Read my
@pinknews
article on our
#togethertomorrow
🏳️🌈 campaign here 👇🏻
As
@dfid_uk
Secretary of State,
@CMO_England
Prof Chris Whitty was my Chief Scientific Adviser when we tackled the major Ebola outbreak. Well worth listening to this profile of the man I got to know and respect.
#COVID19
#Coronavirus
This week I asked the PM about reintroducing maintenance grants to remove barriers on living costs for university students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It's wrong that they come out with more debt than their peers.
#SocialMobility
Today I am announcing new measures so more children, whatever their background, can master the basics of reading and writing in primary school. My article for
@Telegraph
:
#SocialMobility
My Social Mobility Action Plan is about getting all our children on the right track from the start with none falling behind. Today’s announcement will help deliver on the Plan’s ambitions to close the word gap in early years & close the attainment gap:
ONS reclassification of student loans is opportunity for ambitious student finance reform. Bring back maintenance grants & scrap existing student debt approach. Need a Graduate Contribution and Higher Education Fund that’s more progressive and better vfm.
Heathrow third runway is a bad deal for my community and for our country. It’s expensive & polluting. We need a 21st century UK airports strategy - regional airports with more connectivity on people’s doorsteps and helping regional economic growth.
#Heathrow
#Putney
#London
.
@BorisJohnson
has now been given a huge chance to level up Britain & spread opportunity to communities in parts of our country that have needed it for so long. Looking forward to hearing his plans. 400 businesses with 3m employees are already playing their part with
@thesmpledge
Education can be the great leveller — it’s the building block that all of us need to be successful. When schools are shut it’s working-class children who suffer the most.
Desperately sad news about James Brokenshire’s death - he was a great friend and Cabinet colleague. Parliament has lost one of its most decent and best, he will be much missed by so many people. Thoughts are with his family.😥
School standards are rising under this government. According to latest stats for England out today, there are now 1.9million more children being taught in schools rated good or outstanding than in 2010 - 87% of children compared to 66% seven years ago.