It is such a privilege to write to you as a Member of Parliament of a new Labour Government. Thank you so much for all the support I received during the election campaign, not only here in Hornsey and Friern Barnet, but all the Labour members who travelled to support crucial campaigning in marginal seats up and down the country. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to so many of you on doorsteps, during hustings, on high streets and community centres. My Labour colleagues and I are ready to serve everyone in this country.

In July, I attended Parliament for our first King’s Speech. Over 30 bills to start repairing the damage after 14 failed Tory years. This included nationalising our railways, building the homes we need, introducing a new deal for working people, rental reform, making Britain a green energy superpower, investing in our state schools, reforming the mental health act, and so much more.

Since July, we have taken decisive action. We have scrapped the Tory ban on onshore wind, introduced our £7.3bn National Wealth Fund that will kickstart green investment, set the ambition to deliver clean power by 2030, and dropped the previous government’s support for the Cumbrian coal mine. Last week, the Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero were in New York for the UN General Assembly to meet with world leaders and put Britain back on the map.

There is a lot to do, but we have hit the ground running. In September, MPs returned to Parliament after the summer recess. While Tory MPs were squabbling amongst themselves to find their next leader, this new Labour Government was getting to work, and you can read about our busy parliamentary agenda below.

Here are some of the things I’ve been doing since your last newsletter:

Labour appoints new climate envoy

This month, the Foreign Secretary and Energy Secretary of State have announced Rachel Kyte as the UK’s Special Representative for Climate. The role, previously left vacant for over a year, has been re-appointed under this new Labour administration as part of our ambitions to restore the UK’s role as an international leader on the climate. We cannot address the urgency of the climate and nature crisis without coordinated global action, something that the previous Conservative Government completely failed to do. I believe Rachel will bring invaluable expertise and experience as we work together with partners to drive the energy transition, support those most vulnerable to the worst impacts of the climate crisis and meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Reconnecting Britain

This month, Foreign Secretary David Lammy made his first major foreign policy speech and in Kew Gardens, he outlined our ambitious foreign and climate plans. As Foreign Secretary, he made clear that tackling the climate crisis is an opportunity to deliver security, respond to global political instability and is the UK’s moral and historic responsibility. He also attended the UN General Assembly in New York to emphasise UK’s international role in pushing for stronger and bolder climate action.

London Mayor’s plan for a pedestrianised Oxford Street 

In September, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced bold plans to pedestrianise the iconic Oxford Street. We want to transform the world’s most famous road into a beautiful, calm, and green public space. Backed by a Labour Government, this transformation will increase visitor numbers, create new jobs, and boost growth in London and across the UK. Previous Conservative Governments had blocked the Mayor’s attempts to implement changes to Oxford Street, so I’m really pleased this Labour Government wants to work with the Mayor and his team to unlock Oxford Street’s full potential. What a difference a Labour Government can make!

Great British Energy Bill

On 5th September, we passed the Second Reading of the Great British Energy Bill. We promised to set up a clean energy company, owned by the British people, and we are delivering on this. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this Bill as soon as possible and begin to deliver lower bills and energy security for the country.

Cleaning up our water

On 5th September, we introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill, a landmark piece of legislation that will finally crack down on bosses for polluting water. We said we would sort out sewage and pollution in our waters, something that the Tories turned a blind eye to, and we are one step closer to reforming the water sector.

Labour Party Conference 2024

Labour Conference in Liverpool this year was unlike anything before. It was our biggest attendance ever and the first one in government for 15 years. In between meetings with foreign delegations and panel events, I attended two fringe events on climate and energy. The first was organised by Loughborough University about the importance of hydrogen energy and how this can lead the way in hitting net zero, lowering energy bills and creating green jobs. On Tuesday morning, I listened to a discussion on tidal power, organised by the British Hydropower Association. These meetings emphasised just how important it is that Britain becomes a clean energy superpower – it’s the only way to put energy policy back in the service of working people. You can read my full report on conference here. 

My Ministerial work

I’m so proud to have been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. I am thrilled about this new role and look forward to working with our partners and allies in reconnecting the UK on the world stage, particularly on the climate crisis. In August, I was particularly pleased to be able to announce £12.9 million of new climate funding on my visit to Tonga and New Zealand.  This is vital funding to support countries on the front line of the climate crisis and equip vulnerable communities facing the impacts of climate change. On my first trip to Southeast Asia, I set out my Government’s bold approach to foreign policy and climate at the Milken Institute Asia Summit 2024. You can keep up with my work here.