Bert Jones

This week I joined Redbridge’s London Climate Action Week summit to discuss the urgent local action needed to tackle the climate crisis. This week’s record-breaking temperatures are another stark reminder that climate change isn’t a future threat, it’s happening now.

Four council leaders, a GLA member and an MP at the Annual Council meeting in Redbridge. Congratulations to Mayor Cllr Bert Jones on becoming the first citizen of the borough & Cllr Syeda Chowdhury as the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal year 2026 - 2027.

Great result for Redbridge, we held the Council🌹 Well done to all the local candidates (and now councillors!) for your hard work and dedication to the community. In Redbridge, we have done a lot of good work but I know we have a lot more to do. I look forward to working with the council to improve our area in the coming months and years ahead.

On Eid, one of the most important days in the Muslim calendar, access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem has been restricted by Israeli authorities, with many Palestinians prevented from entering and forced to pray outside. Reports also indicate restrictions affecting Christian worshippers, including access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City. Emerging reports this morning say Israeli forces confronted worshippers outside the Old City, with tear gas reportedly used against those gathered for prayer. These developments raise concerns that heightened security measures are further restricting freedom of worship and movement for Palestinians. I raised the situation at Al-Aqsa in Parliament yesterday, highlighting ongoing concerns about restrictions even following the ceasefire. The Israeli government should uphold international law, ensure freedom of worship, and engage in meaningful diplomacy to support a just and lasting peace.