Monthly Roundup: December 2026

With December drawing to a close and the new year almost upon us, it has been a busy month – from visiting Mozambique as UK Trade Envoy to Southern Africa to talking to students at Leytonstone School. Here are some of the things I’ve been up to 🎄👇

- Met with Lord Hendy to discuss progress on Leyton Temple Mills ✅

- Engaged with Wanstead and South Woodford residents at a ward coffee morning ☕

- Donated toys in support of the Salvation Army Christmas appeal 🎁

- Visited Wanstead Church School 🏫

- Published an article on trade and development policy ✍️

- Spoke in a debate on the Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill

- Spoke in DSIT questions on a joint departmental approach to the space domain

- Met with L&Q to demand action for my constituents 📣

- Hosted a roundtable on the evolving EU–UK defence relationship and future cooperation 🤝

- Attended the Menorah lighting in South Woodford 🕯️

- Visited Mozambique as UK Trade Envoy to Southern Africa 🌍

- Highlighted the work of our brilliant diplomats in Africa in Parliament

- Met with representatives from the Sulha Alliance who support former Afghan triples and interpreters following a Defence Select Committee session

- Held a meeting of the Armed Forces APPG in Parliament on veterans in social care 🎖️

- Celebrated the festive season with councillors at the Wanstead Christmas social

- Raised the growing risks of lithium-ion battery disposal and waste fires in Parliament 🔋

- Visited Leytonstone School 👩‍🏫

- Wrote to Waltham Forest Council to explore options to secure The Northcote Arms’ future as a valued local pub 🍺

- Spoke in Parliament in support of an independent inquiry into foreign interference in our democracy 🗳️

- Wrote to constituency groups and local heroes to wish them a happy Christmas

- Chaired the Prostate Cancer APPG 💙

- Engaged with the Labour group for men and boys

- Wrote to the Home Office to raise local concerns about proposed asylum system reforms 🧾

- Met with representatives from the GMB union ✊

- Published an article on Russia’s hybrid war in Europe 🌐

- Took part in an oral history interview with the Imperial War Museum on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan 🎧

- Spoke on the impact of Russian interference on security, trade and democracy

- Backed local opportunity through Communities That Work & Jobcentre Plus Leyton 💼

- Wrote to the Housing Secretary calling for a ‘rule of one’ approach to building safety remediation for leaseholders 🏘️

- Wrote to Nigel Farage demanding he act on his Mayoral candidate’s racist and misogynistic remarks (still no reply)

- Attended the launch of the UK’s new approach to Africa at the FCDO 🌍

- Spoke at the Labour African Network and African Development Bank reception

- Explored priorities for UK–Africa relations with Minister Jenny Chapman 🤝