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Dr Simon Opher MP

@simonforstroud

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Simon Opher, Labour MP for Stroud.
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I've been on a journey for thirty years. Politics has the power to change things... but I need your help. Vote Labour on July 4th. by @simonforstroud
27
2 years ago
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I'm backing @sir_desmond_swayne_mp's 'Babies Bill' (proper name is the Infants, Parents and Carers Bill). It will give early-years services legal protections - meaning that future governments can't simply close family hubs etc down (as with Sure Start) to save costs. Future governments will need to to regularly assess the needs of families and local provision of support available during a child’s first 1,001 days and report to Parliament on how they are being met. #backthebabiesbill by @simonforstroud
2
a day ago
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Yesterday was Winnie the Pooh’s 100th birthday - the stories remain as wonderful today as they were in 1926, and I love EH Shepherd’s drawings. Sometimes I think that we could all learn something from him. Maybe not the obsession with honey though. by @simonforstroud
0
2 days ago
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Why has a Labour MP and a Plaid Cymru Peer been working together? Because we believe the House of Lords needs reform ✊ taken in Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London, Uk by @simonforstroud
9
2 days ago
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It was a joy to spend some time at Stroud Library last week. The Reading Agency were launching Mood-Boosting Books 2026. The stats are overwhelming. Readers are 86% more likely to feel part of their community than non-readers, and are 58% more likely to feel 'generally happy', while non-readers are 30% more likely to feel depressed. Reading also helps maintain cognitive function into old age - not to mention the benefits to intelligence and critical thinking. But most of all, reading is fun - as author Amanda Prowse and I discovered! Visit your library or local bookshop for more information on #MoodBoostingBooks by @simonforstroud
3
3 days ago
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There are a number of problems with the use of screens in schools. In the Early Years children comprehend between x 6 and x 8 more when reading a physical book rather than an e-reader. As they get older this improves, but comprehension is up to 1/3 less when reading e-readers rather than printed books. Medically, there is a significant increase in children with myopia (short sightedness), due to early use of screens. This is particularly worrying as in later life short sighted people are much more likely to get detached retinas leading to potential blindness. We all have different learning styles. As ever, adopting a blanket approach, especially without sufficient research on the effects, does not seem like a good idea. We all need less time looking at screens, not more by @simonforstroud
3
4 days ago
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Many congratulations to Sagal Abdi-Wali for winning in Holborn and St Pancras last night 🙌 by @simonforstroud
0
8 days ago
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I campaigned against the changes to trial by jury that were proposed by the government earlier this year, and am pleased to see that much of what was proposed has been dropped. It’s a big win. But not all changes have been dropped. For example, I do not think that magistrates should be allowed to send people to prison for two years. More to do. by @simonforstroud
2
13 days ago
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International Day Of Older People Earlier this week I went to a drop in session at Brimscombe Mill to provide support for older people, run by GOPA (Gloucestershire Older Persons Association). It was a really busy session, with some 20 stalls from organisations designed to help and connect the older community such as Age UK and Mindsong. Thank you to everyone involved for a really good day. by @simonforstroud
1
13 days ago
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For the last two or three months the postal service has been the number one issue that constituents have raised with me and my team. That's why I visited the sorting office in Dursley unannounced this morning. It's clear that everyone is working hard to try and improve things. I don't think that either the local workforce or management are in any way to blame for the situation - they are all trying their best and are committed to clearing their backlog by the end of next week. The feeling is that would make a big difference, and to be fair, I think there has been some improvement since I was last there. That said, it seems to me that they are being asked to manage substantial changes with insufficient support, training and resource. It's not surprising it has gone so wrong. My concern is that they will be able to clear the backlog next week, which will have a big negative impact on morale. Nor am I sure that it will, in itself, actually solve the issues they face. There are systematic problems that need resolving. The Royal Mail used to offer a world-leading service and was a loved and trusted brand. I have a number of meetings set up and will continue to do what I can to help bring this difficult period to an end. The situation is untenable and cannot go on. by @simonforstroud
3
14 days ago
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Congratulations to Kirsty and Kevin and all at @theHoptician in Dursley. It was announced today that they have won CAMRA Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2026, and quite right too. I'm thrilled for them. @campaignforrealale #greatpub #ciderandperrypuboftheyear by @simonforstroud
1
15 days ago
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One of my most important meetings at this year’s Labour Conference was with Royal Mail, to discuss the issues at the Stroud and Dursley sorting offices. We pressed the case that local services are worse than in other areas and secured a commitment to a proper local investigation. We have to get this sorted. Literally. by @simonforstroud
4
17 days ago
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