Ding ding ding...had my last radiotherapy and I'm all done. A massive thank you to the incredible team at MTW & my family/friends for their support throughout. Early diagnosis = better outcomes so check your bits & bobbins & see a GP if your worried. Off now to max out on life 😁
It is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in Government. Thank you so much for all the very kind messages of support I have received throughout the day. Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever.
As the former Energy Minister who signed Net Zero into law, for the sake of our environment and climate, I cannot personally vote tonight to support fracking and undermine the pledges I made at the 2019 General Election.
I am prepared to face the consequences of my decision.
My last chemo! Thank you to the wonderful team at
@MTWnhs
for looking after me, my family and friends for their incredible support, the kindness of those who've walked this path before & sent tips & my constituents for their patience. Nearly there 💪
Heartbroken.
I could write reams on how Sir David was one of the kindest, most compassionate, well liked colleagues in Parliament. But I can't. I feel sick. I am lost.
Rest in Peace. A little light went out in Parliament today. We will miss you.
#SirDavidAmess
Dear Newcastle fans, stop shouting at me. I am doing an unpaid role looking at the future of football. I am not the sports minister. I do not have any powers to intervene in the proposed takeover. I am not "passing the buck" when I have no jurisdiction over the matter. Ta. TC
A bit of personal news...
Unfortunately I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. It was caught early & am in the hands of the excellent team at
@MTWnhs
. Full statement below. 1/
I did it!! 8 months ago I was finishing treatment, today, in utterly atrocious conditions, I rode 100km & thanks to the generosity of others raised £4480 for Women v Cancer. I was really emotional crossing that line.
On
#WorldCancerDay
I wanted to remind people to check their bits & bobbins and if you find a lump or are concerned about any other symptoms go get checked out. Early diagnosis leads to much better treatment outcomes. And to those fighting it now, I send love ❤ & strength 💪
I actually feel sick hearing the news about Jack Dromey. He was one of the kindest colleagues who didn't define people by party. He was so nice to me & always asked about Freddie & spoke fondly about his own family. My heart goes out to Harriet tonight
#RIP
Delighted Gov has asked me to lead Review into football governance. I can assure fans that I will work with you, and for you, to consider how we keep the traditions of integrity & fair competition at the heart of the sport.
@OliverDowden
statement at:
I love that Philip May is in the gallery. What you want most when the shit hits the fan at work is the unconditional love and support from the rock in your life knowing they'll be there for you during and long after.
Omgomgomg!! I'm in bits. Not just for the
@Lionesses
, who were phenomenal, but for every person who believed in women's football long before it was trendy. Thank you to them. And thank you to this inspirational squad of superstars,
#WEURO2022
champions 🏆
I'm heartbroken to hear the desperately sad news that my colleague Cheryl Gillan has passed away. She had been a great source of strength as we went through chemo together. When she told me she was dying I told her all the nice things I would say so she knew...1/
The terms of reference for the fan-led review have now been published. I will be engaging with fans from around the country and at all levels of the game as we look to improve the long term shape of football
Had second op today. Theatre team sang me happy birthday before I went to sleep & I woke to cake from them & a muffin from the ward nurses! No highbrow conversation with anaesthetist today but I do remember him telling me I had to tweet he's amazing for his WhatsApp group 😂 👋
I wasn't going to tweet because I always feel a bit embarrassed to blow my own smoke but I'm chuffed & genuinely humbled to be included in
@thesundaytimes
Style Mag women of the year. Thank you for including me among so many incredible ladies. Ps check your bits and bobbins.
My beautiful baldy twin & the best sister I could ever wish for. Thank you to everyone who donated to her justgiving page - she's raised £1440 for
@LPTrustUK
- and huge thanks to Joyce at Smartys in Lenham for cutting/shaving 👩🦲💇♀️
The brilliant team at Maidstone did my lumpectomy etc yesterday. Told anaesthetist I was fascinated by his work - the history, the medicine etc - he replied "the amazing thing is we still don't know....." then I woke up in recovery and now I don't know what we don't know!! 😂 1/
Agree with
@JackieDP
here. I had a life coaching session recently and was asked who I admire most in Westminster.
@AngelaRayner
was my answer. I admire her journey & she puts up with more shit than most. I'd crumble in a nanosecond compared to her.
Just to say I find
@AngelaRayner
back story inspiring and I point to it to amplify the message that if you work hard the sky is the limit wherever you start from. The misogyny is unpleasant enough. The snobbery is equally obnoxious
A bit emotional after snapping my son's godfather & king of the hashtag
@NSoames
possibly casting his last vote after 36 years as an MP
#goodluckandgodspeedmydearboy
The
@CommonsLeader
rang me yesterday morning to advise he would change rules for clinically extremely vulnerable to participate in debates in the Commons but in true
@Jacob_Rees_Mogg
style wanted to announce to House not press. This was very much pre-PM self isolation news.
Both proud & humbled to be appointed
#loneliness
minister in order to continue Jo Cox's great work & deliver recommendations of the
@JoCoxFoundation
working in partnership across gov, business & so many brilliant orgs/charities to combat social isolation & loneliness
@halfon4harlowMP
@GavinBarwell
@DLidington
@theresa_may
It also makes us MPs look ridiculous. We are elected to provide the solution to difficult issues. We can't just throw our arms up and shout it's too hard, let's ask everyone again. It will damage trust in democracy & in Parliament.
I've voted for Rose because I am basically in love with her and Gio. Freddie has voted for John & I simply adore that he loves them without having a micro-ounce of understanding the significance. This has been the best
#Strictly
ever.
I've been lucky to meet Gareth a number of times and this letter encapsulates everything I've ever thought about him - thoughtful, considerate, passionate, caring. It is beautifully written & I hope every fan reads it.
6 ambulances had their tyres punctured last night. I know MPs are supposed to be polite etc but whoever did this is an utter scroat. Just what goes through the mind of someone who does this, nevermind during a pandemic? Thanks to the team for getting them back on the road ASAP
Six of our ambulances were deliberately damaged overnight in Kent. Beyond disappointed that anyone would do this ever, let alone now when our staff are under so much pressure. Well done to Fleet & Make Ready teams for getting these back on the road asap 1/2
Thank you so much for all the wonderful messages re my CBE in yesterday's Birthday Honours. When my 6 year old does good work at school he gets put on the Rainbow so I told him I'm on the Queen's Rainbow. He asked this morning if I'm still on it 🤣
#keepingmegrounded
My son turned 5 today. He got himself dressed, decided not to wear pants and put his shorts on inside out and back to front. When I pointed this out he said "we're not going anywhere". Hard to argue with that. Happy birthday smart arse 😂😂😂
Pleased to publish my interim findings from the Fan Led Review into Football Governance which include recommendations for an Independent Regulator, a golden share on certain heritage issues, much improved governance across football. My full letter is at
Both diagnosed at 44, bruised boobs, tears, treatment & side splitting giggles - sharing breast cancer with my friend
@paulasherriff
and our mission to use our platforms to encourage people to get anything unusual checked out
THREAD: A year ago today I found a lump in my breast. What followed was a whirlwind of operations, chemo & radiotherapy under the brilliant guidance & care of
@MTWnhs
. A cancer diagnosis has changed my life, much for the positive!
In a 70ft long chamber, 600+ MPs sat in complete silence, along with peers and journalists in the gallery, to listen to an unprecedented address from the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It was extraordinarily powerful
#SlavaUkraini
🇺🇦
I rarely come on here to burn my bra but I would wager that this wouldn't have happened during a major men's football tournament, especially if it affected a likely England game. This punishes women & girls going off to cheer their heroines. Slow hand clap for the men.
A thread that's got nothing to do with work but about love....
Each Monday my son packs his teddy Cuddles in my suitcase so that I have "someone to look after [me]" while I'm away in London. Cuddles is gifted with pure selfless sincerity & an act I enjoy each week...1/
Horrified. We were supposed to be talking about how great Spain's victory was for women's football but instead it is this. One step forward, two giant leaps back. Come on UEFA/FIFA. It's embarrassing/dangerous. Step up now.
I wanted to say a huge thank you for the kind letters, cards, calls, texts, 3000+ emails, words while out & about. I'm really touched but also heartbroken reading many more stories about devastating impact of FOBTs. I hope Gov changes it's mind & cancels delay in implementation
Utterly devastated to hear my colleague James Brokenshire has passed away. He was kind, thoughtful, an excellent MP and just generally a nice guy. My heartfelt love and prayers are with his family and friends
Thanks for all the wonderfully kind messages. We both really appreciate them. Had a ride before work this morning - got to wave at Parliament from the comfort of my kitchen! The plan is to stay fit, healthy and positive... and make this thing regret taking me on! Back soon...
We pulled over for 20 minutes to listen to
@bbctms
just so we didn't "reach [our] destination" before the end of the cricket. It is days like these that convert non believers into life long🏏lovers
Today is my 2nd lumpiversary! I've spent ages trying to think of something profound to say about life, love & gratitude - three things that I max out on now! But can't quite nail it, so instead I'll just say take a mo and check your bits and bobbins...it could save your life
I have spoken so many times about the need for a Dept of Wellbeing, one that focuses on reducing costly illness via prevention, that I began to bore myself/stopped. And nobody was listening anyway. This from
@johnharris1969
has inspired me to start again
Inside Westminster Bubble Tweet Alert: overheard two young researchers to a retiring MP say "this is probably our last jerk chicken" (the canteen's most popular dish among staffers) 💔
It was an absolute honour to be part of
@KensingtonRoyal
visit to
@DulwichHamletFC
to discuss in further detail the fan led review and it's importance for the future of English football, wherever you sit with the pyramid
On the eve of FOBT stake reduction I just wanted to say thank you to all those who helped secure change, including the brave addicts who spoke out, campaigners, health professionals, parliamentary colleagues & DCMS officials. It was the right & responsible outcome
Just a reminder that we may be in lockdown but our health services remain open for business. Check your bits & bobbins and go see your GP if your worried
I'm v grateful that I was allowed to say thank you & goodbye to the amazing officials
@DCMS
(I hope panorama works on Twitter!). We've achieved so much in 3.5 years & am v proud to have been part of the team. I'll miss them all enormously & wish the best of luck for the future
Home from Parliament for first time since news of Baroness Trumpington's passing. Found this inside my copy of her book re my appointment as Sports Minister. Love it and her.
#trumps
It's not the result we all wanted. But a huge THANK YOU to the England team for uniting & inspiring us these past few weeks. You should be proud of yourselves because we are proud of you
#ENG
🏴🦁⚽️
Delighted to continue as Sports & Civil Society Minister. So much on the agenda for the incredible sectors I am responsible for and am looking forward to continue working in partnership with some amazing people, charities and organisations throughout 2018
She was an incredibly inspirational women in politics who fought for the things she believed in. She was always kind and helpful to us newbies. She had oodles of wisdom from her years as an MP which she shared willingly. I shall miss her greatly...2/
Members of the women's parliamentary football team and women's football group have written to the Sports Minister calling for the closure of the loophole that excludes women's football as designated matches, as highlighted by
@charlotteharpur
Was worried after my lumpectomy, and more relevantly axillary node clearance, that I'd never climb again. Tonight I joined a women's social climb at The Climbing Experience in Maidstone and did some pinks, purples & even a yellow. Really chuffed 😁
Been so busy talking about the Fan Led Review into Football Governance that I've not actually had the chance to tweet the link to the Report! Here it is! If you haven't got time to read 162 pages (boooo) skip to Annex A to see the full recs
Forty years ago, 8 men on the Penlee Lifeboat went to sea in horrendous conditions to rescue a stricken coaster heading towards the rocky Cornish coastline. They never returned. I tabled an EDM in their memory. We should never forget the bravery of
@RNLI
crews, past and present
Thank you for all my birthday wishes. Delighted my other half & little man, the most important people in my life, came to London to be with me. Looking forward to spending first red box free summer with Freddie before we start looking at schools
#timeyounevergetback
#priorities