Darren Paffey MP
@darrenpaffey
Followers
4K
Following
8K
Media
751
Statuses
3K
@uklabour Member of Parliament for Southampton Itchen.
Joined August 2010
Tonight I joined the Southampton #Hazara community in solidarity to protest the attacks on Hazaras in Afghanistan. The latest suicide bombing killed 50 girls at a study centre. Governments and the UN must act to #StopHazaraGenocide.
1K
2K
3K
After carefully scrutinising the Bill and listening to a range of perspectives from both sides of the debate, I have decided to vote against it on Friday. (3/9).
25
40
605
Ahead of this week’s vote on the Assisted Dying Bill, I’d like to thank everyone who has written or spoken to me about this important and sensitive issue. I want to be open with my constituents about how I will vote and the reasons for my decision. 👇.🧵(1/9).
60
71
443
Given the current troubled state of the NHS and without much-needed improvements in palliative care, I am not sufficiently reassured that an assisted death would be a genuine, free choice for everyone. (6/9).
6
36
289
After a phenomenal election day and results night, a few words from me as the new MP for Southampton Itchen!
20
18
199
It's an honour to be selected by @sotonitchenlab members as our Labour parliamentary candidate. Thanks to other candidates for a positive campaign, and the committee who ran the selection. The hard work starts here, and I'm looking forward to building a winning campaign!
22
17
167
It’s official! Today I had the huge privilege of being sworn in as your Member of Parliament for Southampton Itchen.
12
7
160
The general election has been called! .It’s time for change here in Southampton Itchen. #VoteLabour🌹
43
39
152
However, I do not believe that circumstances are currently right for such a profound change in the law on assisted dying. (5/9).
2
12
177
I’m really pleased to have been elected to serve on the Education Select Committee. @CommonsEd . Drawing on my own life and work experience, I’ll work cross-party to ensure children and young people get the best life chances from gov’t policy, wherever they’re growing up.
32
8
158
While I know that some people will disagree with me, I hope this reassures you that I have reached a carefully considered decision and been open about my views. (9/9).
33
8
168
Today I was privileged to make my very first speech in the House of Commons. You can watch it here (scroll to 15:06:01):
10
14
136
It’s been an intense first day of induction in Parliament, learning about setting up an office, security, IT, voting, and policy research in the House of Commons library. What a privilege to be part of the new Labour government.
2
4
132
Papers are in and it’s official - I’m the @UKLabour candidate in Southampton Itchen!. This is a huge privilege. Southampton is my home, where my family is growing up, where I’ve worked, studied, and served as a councillor. I want the best for our community and will fight for it.
20
6
122
My statement on the current threat of violence in Southampton.
7
21
105
Great turnout for our #LabourDoorstep, & fantastic to welcome @wesstreeting to Southampton! .After 11yrs of Tory gov't people are paying higher bills and they’re fed up with the circus in @10DowningStreet. Back Labour’s plan to keep energy bills low:
10
23
106
Thrilled to be re-elected in Bargate ward, with an increased majority! Thanks to all who supported me. It’s a privilege to serve as a @UKLabour councillor, and whether you voted for me or not, I’ll do my best to represent you and make Bargate a great place to be. #Elections2021
22
4
102
Southampton is my home. I want to champion our people and fight our corner in parliament as your MP, so I’m putting myself forward to be Labour’s candidate. If you’re a member and would like to get in touch, join my campaign or pledge your support, go to
15
14
105
I'm delighted that my application to be the @UKLabour parliamentary candidate has been longlisted!. Southampton is my home, and I will champion our city, fight our corner in parliament, and be your local voice.
12
2
92
Things are changing, and Labour is winning again in Itchen! .Huge congratulations to our new @UKLabour councillor for Bitterne ward, Yvonne Frampton! #LabourGain
5
13
91
It’s high time working people got a better deal. For that to happen, we need a Labour government that will:.⛔️ban zero hour contracts.❌ end fire-and-rehire .💷 make work pay.Thanks to *everyone* who came to get this positive message out in Southampton Itchen today!
14
19
85
🎉 Really thrilled to be re-elected to work for Bargate ward residents as your councillor. 🙏🏼 Thank you to everyone who voted. 🙌🏼Equally proud to be part of this brilliant #Labour group, now 35-strong!
8
5
86
I hope that we will revisit the legislation on assisted dying in the coming years, at a point when Britain will be in a better place, able to safely and effectively implement this important step of social reform and ready to accept it. (7/9).
1
4
95
🎉 I’m pleased to be.promoted to Associate Professor of Linguistics at @unisouthampton. 🎓I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to go to university, & to have pursued an academic career. 🙏🏼 Thanks to everyone I’ve worked with especially those who inspired & .supported me.
10
3
80
📞On the phone for today’s Mid-Bedfordshire by-election for Labour’s brilliant candidate @alistrathern. One person told me “I don’t trust the Tories as far as I can throw them”, and another was looking forward to casting their first ever vote - for @UKLabour! 🙌🏼. #VoteLabour🌹
6
9
73
Here we go! It’s #SuperSaturday in Southampton with teams out across the city, reminding people of next week’s election and Labour’s new vision. #LabourDoorstep #voteLabour
4
11
63
I have spent many hours reading in depth the cases for and against changing the law, considering the issues carefully, listening to those with views on both sides, discussing these concerns, and reading every email and letter that my constituents have sent me. (8/9).
1
3
83
We all have to pay one company, Southern Water, to treat our water and provide clean drinking supplies. What actually happens is that our rivers are turned into open sewers, and now they can't actually get the basic supply to our taps. Time to put people before profits.
Temporary water stations have been set up to help householders who have been left with no water as Southern Water says demand has outstripped the ability to keep taps running.
2
17
68
I’m proud to be standing to represent my home as our MP in Itchen, and excited to launch the campaign today alongside Test candidate @LabourSatvir. Thanks to all our supporters who came, & went straight out on the doorsteps, working for the change Britain needs!
2
19
69
I'm through to the final stage of the selection process to become the @UKLabour parliamentary candidate for my home, Southampton Itchen!. Thanks to those supporting me, and I’m looking forward to speaking to many more members in the next few weeks. #YourLocalVoice
8
4
66
Today I hand over the reins as Cabinet Member for Children & Learning after 7 years. Not an easy decision, but I've loved the job of trying to make this a better city for children and young people to grow up in. Thank you to everyone who's supported that goal, and me personally.
6
0
66
One chapter closes, and hopefully a new one will begin at the General Election! 🤞🏼🌹
3
3
67
Today I stood up for hundreds of residents impacted by the cladding scandal in Southampton and gave them a voice in Parliament. 👇
7
22
62
Who cut police officers in Southampton? (Tories). Who shut Bitterne police station in the first place? (Also Tories). Who let crime go rife in our neighbourhoods? (Tories again). And now who wants patting on the back for reversing their reckless cuts? (Shamelessly, also Tories).
5
16
61
I’m proud to be a new MP in this Labour government which has hit the ground running on making things better: 👇👇.
THREAD: The work of change has already begun. 10 things @Keir_Starmer’s Labour Government has got done after just one week in power 👇
3
0
64
Great to welcome @Keir_Starmer and @RachelReevesMP to Southampton. Our successful port has even greater potential to drive the economic growth that a @UKLabour government will unlock in Britain, and importantly to create skills, jobs & green opportunities for the next generation.
2
14
63
In my speech at @UKLabour's Annual Conference, I highlighted how Labour councils are doing what we can to tackle inequality. But now that Truss has killed the “levelling up” agenda stone dead, for lasting change we desperately need a Labour government.
7
13
58
In principle, my view is that the choice of an assisted death should be available, so that an adult who is terminally ill and of sound mind can make a clear and settled choice on the time and manner of their own death, subject to strict conditions. (4/9).
2
3
67
I’m very pleased that this passed off with only a tiny number of agitators and a much bigger number of people showing the unity that Southampton is really about. Thanks to @SouthamptonCops for being on duty to support.
3
4
53
The proposed Bill is of serious importance and would mean significant changes to how British society approaches end-of-life care, so it is essential that the next step that Parliament takes must be the right step. (2/9).
1
2
66
So pleased for my friend and colleague @LabourSatvir who will be a brilliant advocate for Southampton Test! Proud to work with her. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼.
1
5
52
The flip side of having so many new Labour MPs is that we don’t all fit on the government benches! An honour nevertheless to be in the Chamber for the first time to start the process of this new Parliament by electing a Speaker.
1
2
56
What happened in Southampton #LocalElections2022 this week:.🌹Labour won the popular vote across the city with 47% of all votes cast (26,863).🔺Our vote share went up 8% on last yr.🔺Here in Itchen, our vote share went up *10%*.🔽Swings away from all other parties to Labour 🎉.
5
9
49
I’ve voted! (No prizes for guessing who got my vote😄). 🗳️Make sure you have your say today, and vote for change. #VoteLabour🌹🇬🇧.#GE24
0
3
50
Today was my last Full Council at @SouthamptonCC. Thanks to all colleagues for their kind words. I was elected as a Councillor in 2011 to represent my community. Now I want to be our MP & work for a better & more hopeful future for Southampton Itchen with a @UKLabour government.
4
5
50
Southampton #Labour has a new vision for a safer, greener, fairer city that we can all be proud of. Great to have @peterkyle with us to help launch our election campaign today! #VoteLabour
3
8
52
Today is @SouthamptonCC Mayor Making day. It’ll be extra special for several reasons:.- our very own @Jacwee67 becomes 800th Mayor.- @LabourSatvir becomes Council Leader.- after Covid delayed our #ChildFriendlyCity plans, we will finally appoint the city’s first Children’s Mayor!
4
2
52
I've loved being Deputy Leader of the Labour Group & Council supporting Satvir first in opposition then in power to serve our great city. But with limited hours in the day, I’m now stepping back from this role (no change to Cabinet/Bargate). Congrats to our new deputy Lorna!
1
3
55
So gutted about the result but proud of how everyone has come together amazingly and worked so hard to be #CityofCulture2025. We’ll find a way to keep this vision going! 💪🏼 #MakeItSO #Southampton
1
8
50
We've been colleagues, campaigners, and friends for over a decade. Now I'm proud to be Deputy to our new Group Leader @LabourSatvir as we work together to make @soton_labour's time in opposition as short as possible! Congratulations Sat!🌹.
Honoured to be unanimously elected as Southampton’s new Labour Group Leader tonight. We are proud of our achievements in power. Together, we will continue to serve our communities, work hard to win back people’s trust and deliver for Southampton again 🌹
4
6
53
We handed over to the new @southamptoncc administration today. It has been an honour to be Cabinet Member for Children & Learning, and I'm grateful to everyone who works to make life better for children and young people in Southampton. Thank you! 👏
6
2
47
You can help make this prediction into a real result:
LATEST SEAT PREDICTION: SOUTHAMPTON, ITCHEN. LAB @darrenpaffey GAIN FROM CON @Royston_Smith.MAJ: 20.2%. [UKPR Default] .
2
7
46
While @Royston_Smith and I have very different politics, I wish him and his family well as he steps down at the next election. Now it’s time for change. People in Southampton Itchen are coming back to Labour, and I’m asking for your support to be elected as the next MP here.
8
5
46
My 5 pledges for Southampton Itchen. If you're voting Labour this Thursday, please share this video👍.🌹🇬🇧
5
13
43
This evening, @SouthamptonCC voted unanimously to award Freedom of the City to former Far East prisoner of war, Mr Bert Warne. At the age of 104, Bert continues to serve our city and ensure the memory and sacrifice of other POWs is remembered. #FEPOW
2
9
51
It’s very simple:. They wrote the laws, broke them, then lied constantly to avoid getting caught. They think the rules are for “little people” like you and me, not for the likes of them. They’re not leaders, they’re liars, and they need to go. #Partygate #ToryLies #ToriesOut.
Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public. They must both resign. The Conservatives are totally unfit to govern. Britain deserves better.
0
11
43
In #TheQueue I was struck by the diversity of people unified to pay our respects to The Queen. Every age, ethnicity, class & culture, walking and chatting together in this historic moment. Calm & poignant in Westminster Hall. Thanks to all services & volunteers along the way too.
1
6
49
I’ve been at Southampton Central listening to rail staff and their concerns about working conditions and pay. We know people are worse off under the Tories. The answer is to negotiate, and deal with the economic crisis but the government has gone AWOL. #EnoughlsEnough
3
5
43
Line of the morning from a Bargate resident: “I voted Conservative last time, I’ll be voting Labour in future, and I’m waiting for a resignation from Number 10”. Spot on. 👏🏼👏🏼.#BorisJohnsonResign
1
9
42
If you’re disgusted at the recent smell of raw sewage in the River Itchen, and you’re wondering what your Conservative MP Royston Smith is doing about it, here’s your answer: he’s voting to allow Southern Water to get away with it.
3
24
38
Hundreds came to the vigil at the Peace Fountain tonight to remember Brianna Ghey and mourn her tragic murder. Grateful to share a few words to simply say that this kind of transphobic hate crime has absolutely no place in a civilised society. #justiceforbriannaghey
1
3
42
It's a privilege to be Deputy to @LabourSatvir and to have her support. We were first elected when we won seats from LibDems and Tories, we've worked hard for the city since, and we're determined to win Test & Itchen for Labour and represent the people of this city in parliament.
1
7
41
Hi @Royston_Smith, thought you might need this. Just needs signing and sending. #BorisJohnsonMustGo
2
13
37
The chaos won't stop. The lying won't stop. For the sake of the country, Johnson needs to go. Royston Smith MP, as ever, is silent on the matter. .
4
1
37
Southampton has now received the Letters Patent from Her Late Majesty granting the city Lord Mayoral status. A proud moment of recognition for the city, and for our 800th Mayor and first Lord Mayor, Cllr Jacqui Rayment! 👏🏼 @TheSotonMayor
2
5
42
Another reason to vote for a local @uklabour candidate who knows and understands Southampton (my home), and where the hospital is. More than that, like many people here I’ve been grateful for that hospital’s care for me and my family for 20+ years.
The Conservative candidate for Southampton Itchen (who lives in London) has just said on bbc politics South that he has Southampton General hospital in his constituency. He doesn't it's in a different constituency. He's completely Clueless about Southampton.
1
6
39
I've campaigned alongside @alanwhiteheadmp since I first got involved in Southampton politics, so it's an honour that he's backing my campaign to become the candidate for Itchen.
0
3
39
It’s by-election time in Kingswood and I joined a great team today to campaign for @damienegan! Lots of people here have had enough of this Tory government and this is their chance to vote for change. #VoteLabour🌹
2
5
37
Out with Team Peartree today, I spoke to a resident who could no longer vote Tory because they were “horrified” (their words) with the Conservative government. They’re an enthusiastic @UKLabour 🌹 supporter now!
0
6
37
What a year of ups and downs in 2021:.😞 my dad died, my family and I caught Covid (pre-vaccines), Labour lost control of the council, and I lost my Cabinet role. 🙌 However, it was also a privilege to be re-elected in Bargate ward, I'm now Deputy Leader of Labour group.
2
2
37
Election victories don’t just happen. They depend on hundreds of local people who want the best for their community and are prepared to do something active about it in this way. So we took time to say thank you to those in Southampton who worked hard for change here. #Labour
2
2
38
📺WATCH HERE: Today I asked my first Prime Minister's Question at #PMQs . I used this opportunity to call on the Prime Minister to reassure the city’s leaseholders that action will be taken to deal with long-standing fire safety issues.
4
17
44
Enjoyed seeing the Carlton Place pedestrianisation and improvements. Bargate councillors pushed for this scheme to take into account what local residents wanted. The results look great! #SOproud
6
4
37
Johnson broke the rules and repeatedly lied about it. But Royston -like Rishi- was nowhere to be seen when it was time to stand up for decency and back Parliament's report. Why won't these 'Made in Southampton' Tories stand up for what's right?.#TimeForChange #ToriesOut
3
0
31
🎉Excited to launch our local election campaign with @LabourSatvir & many fab volunteers!. 🙁People are fed up after 13 yrs of Tory government, and local Tories have no plan. 🙌🏼Labour will continue to be ambitious for our city & support our communities. 🗳️ #VoteLabour
1
5
36
Here’s an update from me at the end of another week in Parliament as your MP for Southampton Itchen.
3
1
36
Strong turnout at Southampton’s joint union rally 💪🏼 and a pleasure to speak. Instead of racing through laws to sack our nurses and teachers, this government needs some ‘Minimum Service Levels’ of its own, starting with turning up to negotiate! .#PayUp #SaveOurSchools #strikes
1
6
34
I'm proud to have the backing of my union @unisontheunion to become @UKLabour's parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen. As the UK's largest trade union, UNISON stands up for people working in those vital services we all rely on. Thank you @UNISONSE!.#JoinAUnion
3
1
38
Today is the start of National Care Leavers' Week. As one of few MPs who grew up in care, I know that there are many wonderful professionals who support our care leavers to dream big and achieve their aspirations. But there is more to do.
2
10
39
Good Morning Southampton! ☀️ . Polls are open and it’s your opportunity to have your say. If you’re someone who wants Southampton to be a.🏡family-friendly city.🌳 green city .🛟safer city.💷affordable city, and .🎉city to be proud of. Then #VoteLabour today!
2
5
29
Thank you @JYDenham for backing me as Labour's next parliamentary candidate and MP. John was our MP in Itchen for 23 years, and having campaigned with him a lot, I know how successful, well respected, and knowledgeable about the city he was. It means a lot to have his support.
2
4
32
Southampton Itchen’s Tory MP won’t take action against those polluting our beautiful river. As your MP, I would back @UKLabour’s firm plan to stop the sewage and protect the Itchen. Cllr Tony Bunday and I have written to Southern Water’s boss to call for action. #SewageScandal
1
7
32
And we’re done!. Pleased to have finished the ABP Southampton 10k in 1:04:44. I ran to support the Lord Mayor’s charities - please donate now at @TheSotonMayor @ReesLeisure .@dbmaxevents @MarafunUK #ABPMarathon
1
2
31
🌹 It’s just over a week until @sotonitchenlab members will vote on who will be our next parliamentary candidate. 🗳For a strong, local, experienced candidate, who's dedicated to our local communities, please vote for me. #Southampton #Itchen
1
9
33
Back to Parliament today after Conference recess! . Time to take what I’ve learned in the constituency from meeting with constituents and community groups to the Government. Watch this space for updates 👀
2
1
34
Busy few days on the #LocalElections2022 campaign, welcoming @Keir_Starmer, Q&A at @SolentSU Hustings, on the #LabourDoorstep with @bphillipsonMP and reminding people about Labour’s fantastic local candidates. #VoteLabour
3
9
30
Book your place at my public cladding public meeting. If you have been impacted please come along and make your voice heard 👇.
5
22
34
Last week I called on the Prime Minister to reassure the city's leaseholders that action will finally be taken to deal with fire safety issues. I spoke to @itvmeridian about why I'm fighting to secure a resolution on this issue for long-suffering constituents.
10
15
38
Last week I met with nearly 60 constituents - as well as representatives from the Fire Service, the @EOCS_Official campaign and other local partners - to discuss concerns around fire safety, cladding and other building issues. 🧵(1/2).
5
18
33
What an ideal day for TriFest, our local festival in Riverside Park. Great music, loads of community stalls, fine ale and most importantly people enjoying good company as we start summer! ☀️.Well done and thank to all the @fest_tri organisers 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
1
3
29
Tories banned councils from running bus companies. @UKLabour will empower councils once again so we can serve our communities’ needs.
Buses matter to millions. But the system is broken. Labour will fix it. And we’ll do it by handing communities power and control of the routes, fares and services they depend on.
1
11
32
🏆So proud of the many volunteers who made our Southampton election victory - and this award - possible. Thank you all! .🚧 Now the work goes on, atreet by street, to win back support in even more of Southampton Itchen!.
Southampton Labour won an award for best election campaign this year nationally - we won back the council after losing it just the year before. This is for all our amazing activists - we spoke to more voters than we had ever before!. Our victory and this award belong to you 🌹🙏
1
1
31