These Tory MPs are going to be furious when they find out who was in power when employment in offshore oil and gas HALVED between 2014 and 2023. The Conservatives are doubling down on being a cheap Reform tribute act rather than a serious party
Member of Parliament for Swansea West
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These Tory MPs are going to be furious when they find out who was in power when employment in offshore oil and gas HALVED between 2014 and 2023. The Conservatives are doubling down on being a cheap Reform tribute act rather than a serious party
Morning
Utter garbage. She was a prisoner, nothing political about it. Reasonable people can disagree on any given sentence but the facts are clear: - she incited serious violence - PM did exactly nothing - she went to jail because of what SHE did: committing a crime + pleading guilty
And Nigel Farage isn’t going to get away with pretending he has an answer by calling for a repeat of the Tory chaos, with added performative cruelty about returning people to Afghanistan on top.
The people that created this problem are not going to get away with rewriting history.
There’s a reason today’s would be Tory populist plonkers were boasting back then about opening asylum hotel after asylum hotel
So Nigel Farage’s ‘new’ plan is in fact… Rishi Sunak’s old plan - which was exactly what caused the explosion in use of asylum hotels in the first place.
I'm a big fan of real ale - and there are more than 100 on offer at the 35th Swansea Bay Beer and Cider Festival. 🍻 Great to stop by Brangwyn Hall for a pint of Three Cliffs Gold (light beer not real ale, I know). Cheers.
Not everyone will get results they're happy with, but remember that support is always available. You can speak to someone at Mind by calling 0300 123 3393 or look online: www.mind.org.uk/for-young-pe...
Huge congratulations to everyone receiving their GCSE results today in Swansea. Today is an important opportunity to reflect on everything achieved in your education so far. Whether your next step is A-Levels or an apprenticeship, I hope you make the right choice for you.
Pensions: - there to ensure more people have a secure retirement - not there to support tax planning
We've got to be a country that builds things again.
Thanks to everyone who came to my surgery at Morriston Library. If you missed this one, don't worry - I hold surgeries regularly around Swansea. As ever, if there's anything I can help with, drop me a line at torsten.bell.mp@parliament.uk.
Sloth Coffee fuelled @swanseawestclp.bsky.social door knocking on Glanmor Road this morning. Anyone we missed or with casework can always email torsten.bell.mp@parliament.uk to get in touch. Enjoy the weekend everyone
Remembering the sacrifice made by so many to protect our freedoms.
Today I visited St Helen's stadium, the historic home of Ospreys Rugby. The last two weeks have brought great news for the stadium, club and Swansea. But I'll keep working until its future is secure. 🏉🦅
Whether you’re now stepping into a university course or a job, whether you stay in Swansea or not, I hope the next step on your journey brings you fulfilment, pride and purpose. But first, for the most important bit: celebrate!
Huge congratulations to everyone receiving their results today in Swansea. 🥳 Behind every result is years of hard work, including from teachers and support staff. If you haven't got the results you wanted, don't panic. You’re not alone and have more options than you think.
UK economy is growing after a decade & a half of stagnation. This matters - it’s growth in GDP/capita that raises wages & living standards. There’s much, much more to do to get bills down, pay up & to invest in this country’s future once again, but progress is underway www.ons.gov.uk/economy/gros...
I'm really sad to hear about the death of Hefin David. Shocking news, and a great loss for the community he served so passionately. My thoughts and deep sympathies go out to his wife Vikki and family. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Swansea Bay Business Club helps local business people to make connections. A pleasure to speak to their members on a recent sunny Friday - hoping the feeling was mutual despite the amount of charts presented. 📈📊 Thanks for having me! Photos: Diyan at Innovation Photography
Cornish cliff climb kind of day
Fantastic that Swansea Council have approved the redevelopment of St Helens. We still need certainty on the future of @ospreys . But the green-light on these plans will be a vital boost to professional and grassroots rugby in Swansea and beyond. www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/...
Really upsetting news from Sketty this morning. Members of the public have been asked to avoid the area, and Gower Road has been closed. My thoughts are with those affected, as well as the emergency service workers doing everything they can to help. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...
🚨 Swansea West residents 🚨 I’ve launched a 60-Second Survey asking your top concerns about the community as well as what makes you most proud to live in Swansea. The results will guide my work over the next year. Let's gets things done. 👉 www.torstenbell.org/60-second-su...
There’s a lot of work to be done to improve our waterways - their condition is a scandal after years of inaction under the last Government. I’m encouraged by the decisive first steps taken by the UK and Welsh Governments working together to tackle the problem. Forward!
Swansea’s waterways were central to our past prosperity. According to new research from @swanseauni.bsky.social and the Swansea Community Boat Trust, they could be again. I went to the report launch on the Copper Jack - good to see it covered today.
Tea break
It’s so important that construction work has started on the new furnace at Port Talbot, after some difficult years. Communities across Swansea Bay deserve a future they can look forward to with hope. But it's a future we're going to have to fight for.
My update from Port Talbot after Nigel Farage set out plans that would scrap thousands of jobs here 👇
Lovely to see Swansea full of very smart (and even prouder) families all week. Swansea University leavers: llongyfarchiadau. No one can take away what your hard work has achieved. And whether you stay in Swansea or not, I hope you tell the world of the beauty and talent in our city by the sea.
Just read this on the train. I’m a pensions geek but even if you’re not it’s very well written and easily accessible. And it’s IMPORTANT! I wish the Pensions Commission well and hope their work transcends party politics at all times.
Lons door-knocking in the sunshine kind of evening
For the keen - which should be all of you given we all are, or are hoping to be, pensioners - here’s the launch document for the Pensions Commission, setting out the case for change and approach being taken www.gov.uk/government/p...
We cannot allow tomorrow’s retirees to be poorer than today’s - which is what we are on track for. So we are reviving the Pensions Commission to set Britain on a different course www.gov.uk/government/n...
Pensions very much don’t happen in a vacuum - which is why we are also building many more homes, raising minimum wage and hugely strengthening employment rights.
Today has rather proved populists have “no idea” how to fix things, falling apart the first time they’re asked a basic question. Proper politics is about long term answers to difficult challenges - like how to make sure today’s workers can look forward to a comfortable retirement
The last Labour govt laid the ground to get British workers pension saving again. But if we continue as we are tomorrow’s retirees will be poorer than today’s. So it’s time to finish the job - we’ll build a pensions system that’s strong, sustainable & fair www.ft.com/content/5208...
A rammed Saturday. Thanks to everyone that came to a great coffee morning discussion at the Pheonix Centre, and congrats to the Girls Friendly Society - celebrating their 150th Anniversary at Mayhill Community Centre. Two centres at the heart of their neighnourhoods
A railway test track with a view - that’s the vision for the Global Centre of Rail Excellence up the Swansea valley. Good to visit for an update. And a bonus to hear about the training they are now hosting, funded by the Port Talbot Transition Board www.gcre.wales
Grateful to Lucy and Ryan for telling me all about it on a sunny Friday!
Great to hear about the incredible journey of The Secret Hospitality Group, now employing 350 people at 5 venues across Swansea Bay. Their partnership with Gower College is groundbreaking - a great opportunity for young people in Swansea.
35 million albums worldwide, 17 Grammy nominations… and now the big one. Getting involved with @swansofficial.bsky.social
These aren’t anti-politicians, they’re the worst kind of politicians. No answers (remember these muppets still have no immigration policy at all), in the business of exploiting our country’s challenges never solving them
Reform are against the 5,000 jobs in South Wales and energy security that floating offshore wind could support. And apparently now against… electricity, with this nuts letter opposing any cables, batteries, or in fact anything getting built
The UK’s slow post-pandemic employment recovery is a real issue, especially where policy has contributed to it (eg 2017 welfare reforms). But weird not to mention the fact that a higher proportion of people are working today than in the 70s in this piece
1970s employment rate: 72% Today’s employment rate: 75%
Our @swanseawestclp.bsky.social Saturday session was round the back of the Tabernacle in Morriston. Thanks to everyone who made the time to speak… especially in the 30 degree heat
Everything’s up and ready to welcome thousands for tomorrow’s Swansea Ironman 70.3 - good luck to everyone who’s entered. One year I’ll be brave/stupid enough…
Morning!
Massive congratulations to everyone involved in the Welsh amateur premier of Les Miserables tonight at Swansea Grand Theatre - it was phenomenal
This is fantastic news for our city. Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Wednesday 16 July for presale and general sale will start at 10am on Friday 18th. Don't miss them!
A living legend returns to the home of legends past! Great to see Bob Dylan pay a visit to the home of his namesake Dylan Thomas. I hope he gets time to stop by the lovingly restored @dylanthomashome - a real gem of Swansea. www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/bob...
You can self refer here: www.nelsontrust.com/womens-centr... And donate to support their work here: nelsontrust.beaconforms.com/form/497f2037
Great to meet the Nelson Trust's team in Swansea, to hear how they support women in our city and beyond. The support on offer isn't one-size-fits all, but anyone in need can expect a welcoming safe space with a washing machine and showers, and a passionate team that go the extra mile to help.
Sweatiest doorknocking for a while in Llanrumney this afternoon, with Lexi Pocknell. A brilliant local champion who I’m sure will be a brilliant councillor
Ignore the nonsense some commentators write - this phase of politics is about beating Reform not aping them.
We are: - capital investment up £113bn+ this parliament = nearly double New Labour levels - fair taxes (including on wealth…) mean public service spending is up £50bn/yr. It’s not a coincidence NHS waiting lists are at last falling - workers and renters rights extended And lots more
Farage’s new hire was given a knighthood by Johnson and was up to his neck in the Truss fandango…
So… the message is “vote Reform to rerun the Tory chaos of the last decade”. Impressively honest
We’ve opened the call for @britishacademy.bsky.social postdoctoral fellowships. We provide three years of funding for early career researchers in the humanities and social sciences to complete a significant piece of publishable research www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/post...
Your pension should work as hard as you do. That's why Labour is changing the way the pension system works - to get average earners more in retirement. Here's how.
Unlikely because we must beat them in the Senedd election next year - not because they don’t want to. One of the only consistent things about Nigel Farage over decades is a wish to end the NHS as we know it www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reasons to be cheerful.
Garbage.
Top effort from the Red Arrows wrapping up the first day of the Wales Airshow over Swansea Bay
Wet feet followed by hot chips for this morning’s rain drenched door-knocking
Well done. I'd like to see a similar map showing Farage's journeys in Clacton.
I need some new shoes...
One year ago today, I had the honour of being elected MP for Swansea West. I've spent every day since then working for a better future for people in Swansea. Here's some of what I've been getting up to so far 👇
Forget Glasto It’s all about Llandudno
What's going on with the economy? Four interest rate cuts, three trade deals, and faster wage growth in 10 months with Labour than under 10 years of the Tories. That's what.
My statement to constituents after today's vote.
⛽ Why have energy bills soared in recent years? Because the UK has been dependent on int'l fossil fuel markets. We have to invest in secure, clean power at home. 👷♀️What could FLOW mean for Swansea? Jobs and investment. Developers have already identified our port as a significant site for them.
This is fantastic news for Swansea, and communities across South Wales. Anti-Net-Zero ideologues will tell you green industries are the problem. They’re wrong. Wales has a proud past working the pits, but our jobs of the future are in the sun and on the sea. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...
Great news for punters and performers in Swansea 👇 swanseabaynews.com/2025/06/18/m...
My Swansea neighbour, Tonia Antoniazzi, deserves huge credit for today’s vote to decriminalise abortions after 24 weeks - women involved in desperate situations need care not courts www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Doorknocking and case work collecting this morning around the Brunswick (which is looking for a new landlord if running a lovely pub with a popular quiz is your next career move)
Thanks Claire
These people are not serious about the future of Wales. It was good to call out the garbage being peddled on #bbcaq last night in Merthyr.
Thanks Ewan. Was lovely to meet you and so many committed team members. Hopefully see you soon.
This is a total lie. I have seen every constituent who has asked to meet on this issue, and offered any constituents representing this group a meeting several times. If any constituents want to meet on this, or any other issue, please do get in touch.
This is a total lie. I have seen every constituent who has asked to meet on this issue, and offered any constituents representing this group a meeting several times. If any constituents want to meet on this, or any other issue, please do get in touch.
It’s actually bigger than the affordable homes investment by the last Labour government because it’s sustained (rather than a short term package in response to the financial crisis)
1) it’s not £445m over 10 years. We just have a thing called a ten year infrastructure strategy. This spending is overwhelmingly happening in next few years 2) this isn’t the total spend for Wales. Regional transport spending in England (e.g trams in Manchester) also leads to capital for Welsh Govt
We’re ending austerity - the Spending Review www.gov.uk/government/c...
This is a long overdue change to the law in Wales and England. We also need to build the homes, and deliver support services, to tackle homelessness itself www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
£445m investment in Welsh railways to be announced. Two Labour governments working together and delivering for Wales www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Martin Wolf: “British pension policy is finally stepping in the right direction”. He’a not wrong. www.ft.com/content/34d4...
We’re ending austerity - the longer take
We’re ending austerity - the chart
Happy National Fish and Chip Day! Who does the best fish and chips in Swansea? Hiks are a top contender, with great staff serving great food. Sandra, Ashley and Louise, have together racked up an amazing 33 years serving up some of the best fish and chips in town.
I am particularly concerned that Deirdre may not have had access to legal representation. I have urged the Israeli authorities to ensure all legal rights are upheld and for immediate contact with a lawyer to be facilitated. We all want to see a swift and just resolution to this case.
This morning, I met with Deidre's family to express my sympathy and discuss what can be done going forwards. I am liaising with both the Irish Government, who are providing consular support, and the UK FCDO, who have offered their assistance and stand ready to help further.
Hundreds have contacted with concerns for Deirdre Murphy’s welfare — concerns I fully share. I'm pleased to see national media drawing more attention to this situation. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I’m excited! Are you excited?! 🥳 #pensions #actuary
The big, beautiful (pensions) bill has been introduced to the @houseofcommons.parliament.uk this afternoon
No - Free School Meals are classed as income in HBAI stats. So lifting children out of hunger and poverty
Important detail: - every pupil in a family on Universal Credit will get free school meals, scrapping rule that parents must earn under £7,400 - This will lift 100,000 children out of poverty
