What a week for the Conservative Party. Unless anyone missed it, Boris Johnson faced scores of ministerial resignations before finally announcing he would resign as Prime Minister. This is good news for the country, but it should have happened a long time ago because he has always been unfit for office.  

The Tory party continue to inflict chaos upon the country during the worst cost of living crisis in decades after overseeing 12 years of economic stagnation and declining public services. As Keir Starmer outlined at the weekend, we don’t need to change the Tory at the top, we need a proper change of government. That is the only way the country can get a fresh start it needs and deserves.  

Last week I wrote to the Environment Agency alongside Councillor Lee Marsham to raise concerns from residents regarding the air quality around the Smurfit Kappa recycling plant. The recycling plant in Nechells was in the news earlier this year for a fire that required 100 firefighters to extinguish. It brought to the fore historic concerns regarding operations at the plant, with residents getting in touch to tell us that bad odours have plagued the community for some time. We’ve asked the Environment Agency to urgently investigate the source of the odours and guarantee good air quality for residents in Nechells. You can read our letter here.

This week, I also raised concerns that the flight service to to Amritsar has been scaled-down. In a letter with Preet Gill MP and Birmingham MPs, we highlighted that the travel corridor is key for members of the Punjabi and Sikh diaspora communities in Birmingham. As a result of the reduction in flights many are forced to incur additional expense by travelling to London Heathrow. You can read the letter in full here.

It was fantastic to be out campaigning with local members in Wolverhampton last weekend. Thousands of Labour activists were out over the weekend talking to voters in every part of the country. Brilliant to hear lots of support for the Labour Party on the doorstep. 

Finally, Eid Mubarak to all those who are celebrating this weekend! I hope you have a fantastic time with your friends and family. 

Have a great weekend, everyone and please make sure you stay safe in the heat!