A joyful line dance was not on my long to-do list for 3 November. Yet there I was, dancing alongside other women who had come to Parliament for a debate on endometriosis. Behind the dancing was an endo warrior’s campaign: she dances every day while waiting for her surgery date and shares each dance on social media. Joy in the face of adversity, a choice women worldwide often take. However, most things about those few hours were extraordinary and incred

The theme of this year’s National Adoption Week is “Every Day Is Everything” — a phrase designed to highlight the alarming disparity between the number of children waiting to be adopted (2,060) and the number of approved adopters (640). However, as with many slogans, this is only one part of an increasingly complex jigsaw puzzle that is modern adoption. When I was a young adult, I remember telling my family that I would like to adopt one day. Ours was a slightly complex famil

The Labour government’s new national fostering campaign recognises that recruiting more foster carers is only the beginning. To give vulnerable children the safe, loving homes they deserve, we must also invest in the families who open their doors and hearts to them. As an adoptive parent, I know how profoundly the right family can change a child’s life. But ambitious promises mean little without meaningful investment, practical support and long-term commitment. This announcem

Baby Loss Awareness: Every Candle Holds a Story The numbers are stark. Around 15 in every 100 pregnancies sadly end in miscarriage, and 4,477 babies died in the UK in 2024. But behind every number is a story. An individual, a couple, a family, and all those who love them. Each loss represents a life that was hoped for, a future imagined, and a grief that deserves to be acknowledged. Like infertility and fertility treatment, baby loss is something we are increasingly talking a

“I hope this moment says something about who gets to belong. For people who look like me. I hope they see themselves reflected in this place and know that their path too belongs here. This is Camden and this is Britain.” Politics and leadership in any sense, should always be at its heart, based on values and service Because politics, at its best, is about belonging. It is about deeply held beliefs. And it is about using power to change lives for the better. Empathy. Social

You truly couldn’t move at this year’s Labour Conference without seeing the slogan. It was everywhere — on walls, screens, banners, stages and every available bit of space. But this year, something felt different. It didn’t just feel like a slogan. It felt like a commitment. Fabian Women held some excellent panels, and I attended more events, discussions and fringe meetings than I can honestly remember. There was the wonderful church service from Christians on the left, the J

.....Maybe not the best start to my new song for 2026 but certainly something I feel really strongly about... On Monday 21st a group of us , led by the formidable Sanju Pal met outside Parliament to tell anyone and everyone about Endometriosis and other conditions and why they need to be included as part of the guidance in the Equality act . If you havent read about Sanju' story it is both inspiring and depressing in equal measures but shows just how much really still needs t

It was wonderful to start this year's National Foetal Alcohol Awareness Month with a brilliant organisation I have worked with before, EK Outreach Services, speaking to their staff team on the lived reality of FASD. I have given talks and spoken publicly on this issue before, but two things really struck me this time. Firstly, the importance of doing a talk like this at the start of the awareness week. I am standing on the shoulders of giants who have gone before and who cont

https://www.adoptionuk.org/blog/adopting-after-fertility-treatment https://www.bournhall.co.uk/fertilityblog/moving-on-from-fertility-treatment-should-you-consider-adoption/ https://www.google.com/search https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcUZTEBwuos As a parent through both IVF and adoption, I am well-positioned to advocate for and realistically address the challenges of both paths to parenthood. Over the years, I have delivered keynote speeches, conducted webinars, engaged wit

https://labourlist.org/2026/06/labour-must-take-up-the-challenge-on-endometriosis/ On average, it takes over nine years to receive a diagnosis for Endometriosis, and to me, the incredible, slow injustice of this situation highlights the current crisis. This issue has been neglected for far too long, despite the efforts of dedicated campaigners and organizations striving to be heard. With only 2% of annual funding allocated to pregnancy, childbirth, and female reproductive hea

I recently spoke with Stacey Duguid for the Fabian Women's Network regarding the challenges women face in midlife, particularly how AI bias in recruitment is impacting their careers. From conversations with friends and family, I recognize this is a pressing issue as talent and experience are often disregarded, leading to a significant pool of potential being overlooked. I'm glad to see the Government starting to tackle this problem and hope it will highlight the remarkable ta

Mums in Politics: Why Representation Matters Launching the Mums in Politics Pamphlet as Vice Chair of the Fabian Women's network at Labour Conference was a proud moment—and the culmination of a robust and important piece of work. The pamphlet brought together interviews with MPs and political leaders to explore some of the inequalities that continue to shape political life, and, crucially, to suggest practical ways forward. We have a huge problem in both local and national p

https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/news/infertility-and-perinatal-mental-health/ There are certain gaps in the route to becoming a family that remain frustratingly under-resourced. One such area I have worked on over many years is the reality of parenting after fertility treatment. The wonderful "normality" of the experience often overlooks the nuances of the journey to get there, and most importantly, the potential impact of that journey. It was a pleasure to work with

There are two key moments that have recently made me sit up and take note. Moments that have made me realise how much of a crossroads we are at in terms of our children’s education and the value we place on the whole child before us. The first was a hugely positive one, and one of pride in being a member of our party. A reassuring moment for when the in-fighting all gets too much and reminds us of the difference a Labour government can make. It came when I was sitting in a me