Simon Opher
@simonforstroud.bsky.social
Labour’s MP for Stroud in Gloucestershire, and GP.
For help and support for constituents email me at [email protected]
Abusive/irrelevant comments may be hidden and those who post them blocked.
www.simonopher.org
linktr.ee/simonforstroud
For help and support for constituents email me at [email protected]
Abusive/irrelevant comments may be hidden and those who post them blocked.
www.simonopher.org
linktr.ee/simonforstroud
The English Devolution Bill returns this week. One key part is Community Right to Buy, which gives local groups the chance to take control of community assets. I’ve tabled an amendment to make sure this includes assets that further the environmental wellbeing of local communities — like The Heavens
November 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The English Devolution Bill returns this week. One key part is Community Right to Buy, which gives local groups the chance to take control of community assets. I’ve tabled an amendment to make sure this includes assets that further the environmental wellbeing of local communities — like The Heavens
Today is White Ribbon Day, marking 16 Days of Action to end violence against women and girls.
In Stroud, pick up a ribbon from:
📍In Stitches Stroud - Westward Road, Cainscross
📍Sew and So - Lansdown Road
📍The Fold Stroud- George Street
The theme for 2025 is 'We Speak Up'
In Stroud, pick up a ribbon from:
📍In Stitches Stroud - Westward Road, Cainscross
📍Sew and So - Lansdown Road
📍The Fold Stroud- George Street
The theme for 2025 is 'We Speak Up'
November 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Today is White Ribbon Day, marking 16 Days of Action to end violence against women and girls.
In Stroud, pick up a ribbon from:
📍In Stitches Stroud - Westward Road, Cainscross
📍Sew and So - Lansdown Road
📍The Fold Stroud- George Street
The theme for 2025 is 'We Speak Up'
In Stroud, pick up a ribbon from:
📍In Stitches Stroud - Westward Road, Cainscross
📍Sew and So - Lansdown Road
📍The Fold Stroud- George Street
The theme for 2025 is 'We Speak Up'
I loved Jimmy Cliff, especially the older songs.
We could all learn a lot from this.
youtu.be/Pbg6CF4kJU8?...
We could all learn a lot from this.
youtu.be/Pbg6CF4kJU8?...
Jimmy Cliff - Give and Take (1967)
YouTube video by Beat-Club
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I loved Jimmy Cliff, especially the older songs.
We could all learn a lot from this.
youtu.be/Pbg6CF4kJU8?...
We could all learn a lot from this.
youtu.be/Pbg6CF4kJU8?...
On the way to Westminster this morning, kicking off the week with some encouraging pre-Budget news.
November 24, 2025 at 11:38 AM
On the way to Westminster this morning, kicking off the week with some encouraging pre-Budget news.
Our public transport services - and especially our trains - are too expensive.
Freezing rail fares is a step in the right direction and one I really welcome.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Freezing rail fares is a step in the right direction and one I really welcome.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rail fares to be frozen in England next year
Regulated fares, which include season tickets and off-peak returns, will not see annual price rises for the first time in 30 years, the government announces.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Our public transport services - and especially our trains - are too expensive.
Freezing rail fares is a step in the right direction and one I really welcome.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Freezing rail fares is a step in the right direction and one I really welcome.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
With more than 80 parliamentarians I have signed this letter calling on the Government to stop Israeli settler violence & displacement of Palestinians in communities like Umm al-Khair.
The UK has a duty to uphold international law and protect those facing persecution.
caabu.org/news/news/80...
The UK has a duty to uphold international law and protect those facing persecution.
caabu.org/news/news/80...
80 Parliamentarians demand UK government act to stop Israel's settler violence and forced dispossession of Palestinians in communities like Umm al Khair
Over 80 UK Parliamentarians have written to the Foreign Secretary Rt Hon. Yvette Cooper on the escalating settler violence, systematic depravation and threat of mass demolitions and forcible transfer…
caabu.org
November 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
With more than 80 parliamentarians I have signed this letter calling on the Government to stop Israeli settler violence & displacement of Palestinians in communities like Umm al-Khair.
The UK has a duty to uphold international law and protect those facing persecution.
caabu.org/news/news/80...
The UK has a duty to uphold international law and protect those facing persecution.
caabu.org/news/news/80...
Stroud families will benefit from Labour’s plan for 2,000 new free breakfast clubs in 2026.
This means half a million more children getting a healthy start to the day — on time and ready to learn.
This means half a million more children getting a healthy start to the day — on time and ready to learn.
November 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Stroud families will benefit from Labour’s plan for 2,000 new free breakfast clubs in 2026.
This means half a million more children getting a healthy start to the day — on time and ready to learn.
This means half a million more children getting a healthy start to the day — on time and ready to learn.
Music, sport and the arts should be for everyone — not for ticket touts’ profit. It’s now illegal to resell tickets above their original price.
Fair ticketing keeps grassroots venues alive, supports emerging artists, and strengthens the UK arts pipeline. Affordable gigs = stronger creative scene
Fair ticketing keeps grassroots venues alive, supports emerging artists, and strengthens the UK arts pipeline. Affordable gigs = stronger creative scene
November 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Music, sport and the arts should be for everyone — not for ticket touts’ profit. It’s now illegal to resell tickets above their original price.
Fair ticketing keeps grassroots venues alive, supports emerging artists, and strengthens the UK arts pipeline. Affordable gigs = stronger creative scene
Fair ticketing keeps grassroots venues alive, supports emerging artists, and strengthens the UK arts pipeline. Affordable gigs = stronger creative scene
Visited All Things SEN – The Quay, an alternative provision school in Sharpness, and was blown away by the work Steve and Dean are doing.
Their creative approach to learning — through arts and music — is extraordinary. The space may be small, but the impact on the children is truly huge.
Their creative approach to learning — through arts and music — is extraordinary. The space may be small, but the impact on the children is truly huge.
November 20, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Visited All Things SEN – The Quay, an alternative provision school in Sharpness, and was blown away by the work Steve and Dean are doing.
Their creative approach to learning — through arts and music — is extraordinary. The space may be small, but the impact on the children is truly huge.
Their creative approach to learning — through arts and music — is extraordinary. The space may be small, but the impact on the children is truly huge.
Today is International Men’s Day, and we’re marking it with some important steps forward for men’s health. 🧵
November 19, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Today is International Men’s Day, and we’re marking it with some important steps forward for men’s health. 🧵
Popped into the SVA to see Being Human, a brilliant Guideposts exhibition celebrating the creativity of service users. The artwork and team left me inspired — we’re so lucky to have Guideposts in Stroud. The exhibition runs until 22 Nov, do visit if you can!
November 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Popped into the SVA to see Being Human, a brilliant Guideposts exhibition celebrating the creativity of service users. The artwork and team left me inspired — we’re so lucky to have Guideposts in Stroud. The exhibition runs until 22 Nov, do visit if you can!
Supporting the Phlebotomists on the picket line this week alongside Paul Novak, General Secretary of TUC, to mark 236 days of action.
Phlebotomists are highly skilled and essential to our NHS. It’s time they received the fair pay they deserve.
Phlebotomists are highly skilled and essential to our NHS. It’s time they received the fair pay they deserve.
November 18, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Supporting the Phlebotomists on the picket line this week alongside Paul Novak, General Secretary of TUC, to mark 236 days of action.
Phlebotomists are highly skilled and essential to our NHS. It’s time they received the fair pay they deserve.
Phlebotomists are highly skilled and essential to our NHS. It’s time they received the fair pay they deserve.
Outside the Department of Health with WeOwnIt making our message clear - there is no place for PFI in our NHS.
November 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Outside the Department of Health with WeOwnIt making our message clear - there is no place for PFI in our NHS.
Great to join The Music Works at their Creative Futures Day to talk about creative health and wellbeing.
Hearing directly from young people about how much The Music Works has supported their mental health is powerful proof that creative health works.
Hearing directly from young people about how much The Music Works has supported their mental health is powerful proof that creative health works.
November 17, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Great to join The Music Works at their Creative Futures Day to talk about creative health and wellbeing.
Hearing directly from young people about how much The Music Works has supported their mental health is powerful proof that creative health works.
Hearing directly from young people about how much The Music Works has supported their mental health is powerful proof that creative health works.
We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
November 17, 2025 at 11:03 AM
We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
At the budget the Chancellor has the opportunity to lift 470,000 children out of poverty by ending the two child cap on benefits.
I have long campaigned for this course of action, and this week signed EDM2256, supported by the CPAG, Trussell Trust and many others.
I have long campaigned for this course of action, and this week signed EDM2256, supported by the CPAG, Trussell Trust and many others.
November 16, 2025 at 8:01 AM
At the budget the Chancellor has the opportunity to lift 470,000 children out of poverty by ending the two child cap on benefits.
I have long campaigned for this course of action, and this week signed EDM2256, supported by the CPAG, Trussell Trust and many others.
I have long campaigned for this course of action, and this week signed EDM2256, supported by the CPAG, Trussell Trust and many others.
I love swimming, but was shocked to learn that most children don't have basic water survival skills.
I support Swim England's campaign for every child to learn the four essentials of water competency:
1️⃣ Swim 100 metres
2️⃣ Tread water for 60 seconds
3️⃣ Float for 30 seconds
4️⃣ Swim in clothing
I support Swim England's campaign for every child to learn the four essentials of water competency:
1️⃣ Swim 100 metres
2️⃣ Tread water for 60 seconds
3️⃣ Float for 30 seconds
4️⃣ Swim in clothing
November 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I love swimming, but was shocked to learn that most children don't have basic water survival skills.
I support Swim England's campaign for every child to learn the four essentials of water competency:
1️⃣ Swim 100 metres
2️⃣ Tread water for 60 seconds
3️⃣ Float for 30 seconds
4️⃣ Swim in clothing
I support Swim England's campaign for every child to learn the four essentials of water competency:
1️⃣ Swim 100 metres
2️⃣ Tread water for 60 seconds
3️⃣ Float for 30 seconds
4️⃣ Swim in clothing
Support Stroud Foodbank’s Christmas appeal by dropping off donations at:
📍 Unit 19, Canal Iron Works, Hope Mill Lane, Brimscombe, GL5 2SH (Mon–Fri, 10am–12pm)
or while shopping at Tesco Stroud & Cam, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose & local Co-ops.
📍 Unit 19, Canal Iron Works, Hope Mill Lane, Brimscombe, GL5 2SH (Mon–Fri, 10am–12pm)
or while shopping at Tesco Stroud & Cam, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose & local Co-ops.
November 13, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Support Stroud Foodbank’s Christmas appeal by dropping off donations at:
📍 Unit 19, Canal Iron Works, Hope Mill Lane, Brimscombe, GL5 2SH (Mon–Fri, 10am–12pm)
or while shopping at Tesco Stroud & Cam, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose & local Co-ops.
📍 Unit 19, Canal Iron Works, Hope Mill Lane, Brimscombe, GL5 2SH (Mon–Fri, 10am–12pm)
or while shopping at Tesco Stroud & Cam, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose & local Co-ops.
I like to try and catch up with people and events around the constituency at the weekend. As well as attending the Remembrance Sunday ceremonies I also visited the Health Awareness Day in Frampton, helped out at the Royal British Legion stall in Stroud, and joined Labour councillors in Dursley.
November 12, 2025 at 4:35 PM
I like to try and catch up with people and events around the constituency at the weekend. As well as attending the Remembrance Sunday ceremonies I also visited the Health Awareness Day in Frampton, helped out at the Royal British Legion stall in Stroud, and joined Labour councillors in Dursley.
The news that nearly 80% of NHS managers are concerned that their staff face discrimination from patients and the public is very troubling. Staff are now reporting feeling intimidated by the presence of flags, especially when visiting patients in their homes. (1/3)
St George’s flags 'are creating no go zones' as NHS staff 'feel intimidated'
Staff feel intimidated by the presence of flags across the country, including when they visit people in their own homes to provide treatment, according to several NHS trust chief executives and…
www.express.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The news that nearly 80% of NHS managers are concerned that their staff face discrimination from patients and the public is very troubling. Staff are now reporting feeling intimidated by the presence of flags, especially when visiting patients in their homes. (1/3)
Peace
We passed their graves:
The dead men there,
Winners or losers,
Did not care.
In the dark
They could not see
Who had gained
The victory.
Langston Hughes
We passed their graves:
The dead men there,
Winners or losers,
Did not care.
In the dark
They could not see
Who had gained
The victory.
Langston Hughes
November 11, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Peace
We passed their graves:
The dead men there,
Winners or losers,
Did not care.
In the dark
They could not see
Who had gained
The victory.
Langston Hughes
We passed their graves:
The dead men there,
Winners or losers,
Did not care.
In the dark
They could not see
Who had gained
The victory.
Langston Hughes
Last week I voted to strengthen protections against exploitative zero-hours contracts and unfair dismissal.
We’re fighting for secure, well-paid jobs — the Lib Dems and Reform are siding with exploitative employers.
We’re fighting for secure, well-paid jobs — the Lib Dems and Reform are siding with exploitative employers.
November 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Last week I voted to strengthen protections against exploitative zero-hours contracts and unfair dismissal.
We’re fighting for secure, well-paid jobs — the Lib Dems and Reform are siding with exploitative employers.
We’re fighting for secure, well-paid jobs — the Lib Dems and Reform are siding with exploitative employers.
Support Gloucestershire phlebotomists this week, on the picket line from 8am - 11:30am.
I’ve been clear from the start that Phlebotomists should be recognised as Band 3, and I’ll continue to push for that outcome. ✊
I’ve been clear from the start that Phlebotomists should be recognised as Band 3, and I’ll continue to push for that outcome. ✊
November 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Support Gloucestershire phlebotomists this week, on the picket line from 8am - 11:30am.
I’ve been clear from the start that Phlebotomists should be recognised as Band 3, and I’ll continue to push for that outcome. ✊
I’ve been clear from the start that Phlebotomists should be recognised as Band 3, and I’ll continue to push for that outcome. ✊
Last week I met with Andy Clark, the programme lead for Midlands Connect which will provide a new hourly Swindon to Birmingham service to operate through Stroud and Stonehouse. This is a big boost for local transport by cutting long waits and unreliable connections at Gloucester and Cheltenham(1/3)
November 7, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Last week I met with Andy Clark, the programme lead for Midlands Connect which will provide a new hourly Swindon to Birmingham service to operate through Stroud and Stonehouse. This is a big boost for local transport by cutting long waits and unreliable connections at Gloucester and Cheltenham(1/3)
Alan Carr has good friends to help support him when it’s all too much - I don’t think he’ll be needing Comedy on Prescription anytime soon.
November 6, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Alan Carr has good friends to help support him when it’s all too much - I don’t think he’ll be needing Comedy on Prescription anytime soon.