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Barry Gardiner MP

Barry Gardiner MP

@BarryGardiner

Labour MP for Brent North

'Rip-roaring': Barry Gardiner reviews 'Alcina'
Books & culture
By Barry Gardiner MP
"Rip-roaring": Barry Gardiner reviews 'Alcina'
Imbued with the style of Coco Chanel and the wit of Alan Bennett, this dazzling RBO production of Handel’s masterpiece makes for a wonderfully enjoyable evening
'Point-perfect performances': Barry Gardiner reviews David Hare's 'Grace Pervades'
Books & culture
By Barry Gardiner MP
"Point-perfect performances": Barry Gardiner reviews David Hare's 'Grace Pervades'
A superbly acted contemplation on theatre and the acting profession, this play may appeal more to the cognoscenti, but the one-liners are worth the ticket price alone
The Mandelson story reveals a deep cultural problem – in both Starmer’s No 10 and the Civil Service
Political parties
By Barry Gardiner MP
The Mandelson story reveals a deep cultural problem – in both Starmer’s No 10 and the Civil Service
“Other people come to me with problems. David brings me solutions.” As political obituaries go, Margaret Thatcher’s praise of Lord Young was about as good as they get.
Thames Water privatisation has failed – it's time to put public ownership on the table
Environment
By Barry Gardiner MP
Thames Water privatisation has failed – it's time to put public ownership on the table
Who does Thames Water serve? It should be an easy question to answer: the public (or at least the 16 million people in England who rely on it for their water services).
Sacking Morgan McSweeney won’t be enough to ease this sense of decline
Political parties
By Barry Gardiner MP
Sacking Morgan McSweeney won’t be enough to ease this sense of decline
It was never meant to end this way!
'Irrepressible': Barry Gardiner reviews 'Hadestown'
Books & culture
By Barry Gardiner MP
'Irrepressible': Barry Gardiner reviews 'Hadestown'
Any play about a journey out of hell is going to appeal to us denizens of Westminster – and this fabulous show does not disappoint
'Unsatisfying': Barry Gardiner reviews 'Punch'
Books & culture
By Barry Gardiner MP
'Unsatisfying': Barry Gardiner reviews 'Punch'
A good evening out with some fine acting from the lead – but this play, with its potentially powerful story to tell about justice and redemption, fails to translate to the stage
'Riotous and moving': Barry Gardiner reviews 'Insane Asylum Seekers'
Books & culture
By Barry Gardiner MP
'Riotous and moving': Barry Gardiner reviews 'Insane Asylum Seekers'
A timely riposte to the government’s immigration rhetoric, Laith Elzubaidi’s one-man play is a riveting portrayal of the British-Iraqi refugee experience
Heathrow expansion is a plan that will never fly
Health
By Barry Gardiner MP
Heathrow expansion is a plan that will never fly
Pity poor William Russell! His response to the age of the telegraph was “faster horses”. In 1860, brushing stagecoaches aside, he created the Pony Express, which carried letters across America in just 10 days. By October the following year, the first telegram had flashed from Missouri to California, and the Pony Express was dead.
Labour Figures Come Out Against Chancellor's 'Environmentally Illiterate' Plans
Environment
Labour Figures Come Out Against Chancellor's 'Environmentally Illiterate' Plans
Multiple Labour figures have come out against Chancellor Rachel Reeves after she announced support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport and reducing environmental requirements placed on developers.
'Fizzing and fast-paced': Barry Gardiner reviews 'Kyoto'
Books & culture
By Barry Gardiner MP
'Fizzing and fast-paced': Barry Gardiner reviews 'Kyoto'
An electric, hilarious and roller-coaster portrayal of the first-ever climate change agreement negotiations, Kyoto is a play that grabs you by the lapels and keeps shaking you
World disasters expose the true cost of fossil fuel dependency
Energy
By Barry Gardiner MP
World disasters expose the true cost of fossil fuel dependency
As climate disasters take place across the world, the true cost of fossil fuel reliance comes into stark focus. With billions spent on subsidies and climate commitments unmet, Barry Gardiner MP, chair of the Climate, Nature and Security APPG, asks: will leaders finally act before the next disaster strikes?
We cannot just rely on Thames Water to get itself out of this mess
Environment
By Barry Gardiner MP
We cannot just rely on Thames Water to get itself out of this mess
Both Thames Water and Ofwat tell us that Thames can get itself out of the mess it is in. But a lot of what we have been told by the company has been wrong: they told us that their shareholders would inject more capital, and at the Select Committee in 2023 they didn’t know the quantum of their own debt, or its terms – staggering for a company in financial trouble.
MPs Urge Ofwat To Act As Water Bills Rise While Shareholder Dividends Continue
Environment
MPs Urge Ofwat To Act As Water Bills Rise While Shareholder Dividends Continue
A group of Labour MPs led by senior back bencher Barry Gardiner have written to Ofwat chief executive David Black to express concern over the impact rising water bills will have on people struggling with the cost of living.
Thames Water is collapsing – there’s only one way to save it
Environment
By Barry Gardiner MP
Thames Water is collapsing – there’s only one way to save it
If the Tory government won't nationalise Thames Water, then it is going to have to be radical to avert a disaster.
Labour MP Says Leasehold System Is Trapping People In Homes They Can't Sell
Home affairs
Labour MP Says Leasehold System Is Trapping People In Homes They Can't Sell
Labour MP Barry Gardiner has put forward an amendment to the Leasehold and Freehold Bill to reform service charges and remove another income stream for freeholders, as he continues to campaign for the abolition of the leasehold system.
Labour MP Challenges Grant Shapps To Justify 'Insane' Onshore Wind Ban
Energy
Labour MP Challenges Grant Shapps To Justify "Insane" Onshore Wind Ban
Labour MP Barry Gardiner has said the government's decision to keep the effective moratorium on building new onshore wind farms is “insane” and is keen for the chance to challenge the Energy Security and Net Zero secretary to justify the government's Net Zero plans to MPs.
'Truly remarkable': Barry Gardiner reviews 'Wild Isles'
Books & culture
By Barry Gardiner MP
'Truly remarkable': Barry Gardiner reviews 'Wild Isles'
A captivating celebration of the globally important biodiversity of the British Isles, Sir David Attenborough’s new documentary series is a wake up call to protect our precious natural capital from further loss
MPs Warned As Suspected Chinese Agent Named After MI5 Investigation
Foreign affairs
MPs Warned As Suspected Chinese Agent Named After MI5 Investigation
MPs have been told that a Chinese national named Christine Lee is accused of "facilitating financial donations to serving and aspiring politicians".
Boris Johnson Accused Of 'Skulking' Away From COP26 After Defending Corruption Allegations
Environment
Boris Johnson Accused Of "Skulking" Away From COP26 After Defending Corruption Allegations
Shadow energy secretary Ed Miliband accused Boris Johnson of a "dereliction of duty" as the COP26 talks enter their final days, after the Prime Minister made a whistlestop visit to Glasgow on Wednesday.
For faith groups, progress on loss and damage is essential at the Glasgow climate summit
Environment
By Barry Gardiner MP
For faith groups, progress on loss and damage is essential at the Glasgow climate summit
“The Earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” Psalm 24:1. What relevance might an ancient Hebrew poem, written millennia ago, have to the climate crisis?
Barry Gardiner 'wrong' to break social distancing rules at Black Lives Matter rally, says Keir Starmer
Coronavirus
Barry Gardiner 'wrong' to break social distancing rules at Black Lives Matter rally, says Keir Starmer
Labour MP Barry Gardiner was wrong to break social distancing guidelines while attending a Black Lives Matter rally, party leader Sir Keir Starmer has said.
Barry Gardiner rebuked by Labour for breaking social distancing measures at Black Lives Matter protest
Coronavirus
Barry Gardiner rebuked by Labour for breaking social distancing measures at Black Lives Matter protest
Labour MP Barry Gardiner has been rebuked by senior party figures after revealing he was not abiding by social distancing measures at a Black Lives Matter protest.
We should thank Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership for bringing Labour back to being a member-led party
Political parties
By Barry Gardiner MP
We should thank Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership for bringing Labour back to being a member-led party
As Jeremy Corbyn steps down as leader of the Labour Party, it is right that we examine where our party is politically, intellectually and morally.
Labour will not allow this government to sell the UK short
Brexit
By Barry Gardiner MP
Labour will not allow this government to sell the UK short

Labour wants a general election but we will not risk a no deal Brexit to get there, writes Barry Gardiner MP
If this incompetent government isn’t up to the task, they should make way for one that is
Brexit
By Barry Gardiner MP
If this incompetent government isn’t up to the task, they should make way for one that is

We are facing the most important trade negotiation in this country’s history. Labour will ensure the jobs, livelihoods, and workplace rights of the British people are protected, writes Barry Gardiner
With Liam Fox, optimism trumps sound judgment on trade
Economy
By Barry Gardiner MP
With Liam Fox, optimism trumps sound judgment on trade

The Trade Bill must focus on standards and rights – not just tariffs and quotas – or the UK will end up with a raw deal, warns Barry Gardiner
UK energy & economic security 'stronger within the EU'
Environment
By Barry Gardiner MP
UK energy & economic security 'stronger within the EU'

Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister Barry Gardiner writes that being in the EU ensures both the UK's energy and economic security.