Blogs - Andy McDonald MP

All aboard the first direct train from Middlesbrough to London

I was delighted to board the inaugural direct Azuma train from Middlesbrough to London this week. Whilst it may be a stretch to say it represents a new dawn, it is undoubtedly a hugely important milestone in our railway journey and represents the successful culmination of years of campaigning. It’s…

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. We must all challenge abusive behaviour and male violence. Men cannot stay silent – we must call out misogyny among friends, in the workplace or online. For too long women have been expected to change their behaviour and…

Equal Pay Day

It is appalling that more than 10 million women will work their entire careers without seeing equal pay. On Boris Johnson’s watch, the pay gap between men and women now isn’t set to close until 2059 – up seven years from the 2020 projection. So, an 18-year-old woman starting work…

Linthorpe Art College site update

I have met with representatives of Lidl, local Labour Ward Councillors for Acklam, Park and Linthorpe and Paul Clarke the Head of Planning at Middlesbrough Council. I made it clear how angry local people are about the art college site being developed as a supermarket. We all made the case…

Laying of the First Poppy

As always it was a privilege to attend the Laying of the First Poppy Ceremony at the Cenotaph. It was particularly heartwarming to see so many young children from Middlesbrough schools there to pay their respects. Our armed forces deserve our gratitude and it was obvious from the Ceremony today…

Celebrating UK Parliament Week in Middlesbrough

As part of UK Parliament Week, I visited Breckon Hill Primary School to talk to pupils about being an MP and how Parliament works. As ever, I got asked the most wonderful questions and we talked all about voting, my work as an MP and what they want to see…

The current situation in Afghanistan

In the wake of the collapse of the Afghan Government there has been much sombre reflection in Parliament and earlier by the Head of Armed Forces. I fully recognise Chief of Defence Staff Nick Carter’s “realpolitic” in talking of working with the Taliban to secure the best possible outcomes in…

Middlesbrough deserves full rail service to London

I know that a number of people have been quite rightly concerned about the disappointing proposed May 2022 rail timetable. There is a lot to be disappointed about as quite simply we are not getting the local, regional and national services we were promised. Just take the long requested and…

Covid rates in Middlesbrough and vaccination take-up

The sharp rise in the number of recorded rates of Covid in Middlesbrough is of course concerning. At the weekly Covid briefing this morning with public health and council officers we discussed the current situation and what is being done to try to reduce the virus rates. Fortunately, hospital admissions…

Middlesbrough sports club serves up an ace

Ormesby Table Tennis Club has a first class reputation not only nationally but also internationally. It was wonderful to visit the Club, which has more than 100 members, to see the Over 50s session in full swing – I even had a practice under the guidance of one of the…

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