Simon Opher
@simonforstroud.bsky.social
Labour’s MP for Stroud in Gloucestershire, and GP.
For help and support for constituents email me at simon.opher.mp@parliament.uk
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 simon.opher.mp@parliament.uk
Abusive/irrelevant comments may be hidden and those who post them blocked.
www.simonopher.org
linktr.ee/simonforstroud
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.
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.
Yesterday, I asked the Minister if she’d come to Stroud to join The Night Angels on one of their evening patrols and see the amazing work they do keeping our community safe.
Delighted to get the thumbs up and I look forward to welcoming her to Stroud!
Delighted to get the thumbs up and I look forward to welcoming her to Stroud!
November 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Yesterday, I asked the Minister if she’d come to Stroud to join The Night Angels on one of their evening patrols and see the amazing work they do keeping our community safe.
Delighted to get the thumbs up and I look forward to welcoming her to Stroud!
Delighted to get the thumbs up and I look forward to welcoming her to Stroud!
Proud to support The Cotswold Canals Trust in gaining £6.4m of National Heritage funding to restore the 'Missing Mile'. Massive congratulations to all those involved especially the hard work of the volunteers who are at the heart of this operation.
November 4, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Proud to support The Cotswold Canals Trust in gaining £6.4m of National Heritage funding to restore the 'Missing Mile'. Massive congratulations to all those involved especially the hard work of the volunteers who are at the heart of this operation.
The pensions industry in the UK is colossal - worth almost £3 trillion. But too much of that money is still flowing into the arms trade and fossil fuels industry. The Pension Schemes Bill offers us an opportunity to change this. (1/2)
November 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The pensions industry in the UK is colossal - worth almost £3 trillion. But too much of that money is still flowing into the arms trade and fossil fuels industry. The Pension Schemes Bill offers us an opportunity to change this. (1/2)
I hold regular surgeries all across the constituency, both in person and online. These are at the heart of my work. Whether it’s a local issue like public transport, or something bigger like housing, education, or international policy, my team and I are here to listen and help where we can.
November 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I hold regular surgeries all across the constituency, both in person and online. These are at the heart of my work. Whether it’s a local issue like public transport, or something bigger like housing, education, or international policy, my team and I are here to listen and help where we can.
This week, the government announced that menopause will now be included in free NHS Health Checks — helping millions more women get the care, advice, and support they deserve.
October 31, 2025 at 3:49 PM
This week, the government announced that menopause will now be included in free NHS Health Checks — helping millions more women get the care, advice, and support they deserve.
As many of you will know, the Phlebotomists’ strike — which began on March 17th — has now become the longest single strike in NHS history. It’s deeply concerning that it has gone on for so long, especially here in our own county. 🧵(1/4)
October 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
As many of you will know, the Phlebotomists’ strike — which began on March 17th — has now become the longest single strike in NHS history. It’s deeply concerning that it has gone on for so long, especially here in our own county. 🧵(1/4)
Today, I voted against Nigel Farage’s Bill that would have dragged us out of the European Convention of Human Rights.
The ECHR is a cornerstone of our democracy, protecting the rights and freedoms that define us as a nation. It was shaped by British lawyers and values after the horrors of WW2.
The ECHR is a cornerstone of our democracy, protecting the rights and freedoms that define us as a nation. It was shaped by British lawyers and values after the horrors of WW2.
October 29, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Today, I voted against Nigel Farage’s Bill that would have dragged us out of the European Convention of Human Rights.
The ECHR is a cornerstone of our democracy, protecting the rights and freedoms that define us as a nation. It was shaped by British lawyers and values after the horrors of WW2.
The ECHR is a cornerstone of our democracy, protecting the rights and freedoms that define us as a nation. It was shaped by British lawyers and values after the horrors of WW2.
The Renters Rights Act has gained Royal Assent meaning:
❌An end to no-fault evictions
❌An end to bidding wars
❌No more than 1 months rent upfront
❌Easier to challenge rent increases at tribunal
❌An end to fixed-term tenancies, giving you more flexibility
❌No blanket bans on pets
❌An end to no-fault evictions
❌An end to bidding wars
❌No more than 1 months rent upfront
❌Easier to challenge rent increases at tribunal
❌An end to fixed-term tenancies, giving you more flexibility
❌No blanket bans on pets
October 28, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The Renters Rights Act has gained Royal Assent meaning:
❌An end to no-fault evictions
❌An end to bidding wars
❌No more than 1 months rent upfront
❌Easier to challenge rent increases at tribunal
❌An end to fixed-term tenancies, giving you more flexibility
❌No blanket bans on pets
❌An end to no-fault evictions
❌An end to bidding wars
❌No more than 1 months rent upfront
❌Easier to challenge rent increases at tribunal
❌An end to fixed-term tenancies, giving you more flexibility
❌No blanket bans on pets
I wholeheartedly condemn the obvious racism in Reform and elsewhere.
But I also condemn the people who enable the racism, the people who legitimise it, and the people who look the other way because they cannot condemn it - because they use it themselves to legitimate their politics.
But I also condemn the people who enable the racism, the people who legitimise it, and the people who look the other way because they cannot condemn it - because they use it themselves to legitimate their politics.
October 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I wholeheartedly condemn the obvious racism in Reform and elsewhere.
But I also condemn the people who enable the racism, the people who legitimise it, and the people who look the other way because they cannot condemn it - because they use it themselves to legitimate their politics.
But I also condemn the people who enable the racism, the people who legitimise it, and the people who look the other way because they cannot condemn it - because they use it themselves to legitimate their politics.
I popped into the open evening of the 'Black In The Frame, We Make The Art We Want To See' exhibition at Lansdown Gallery last night. It highlights the work of six artists and celebrates the depth and range of Black British art today.
It was so good - but it's only here until Sunday.
🧵 1/2
It was so good - but it's only here until Sunday.
🧵 1/2
October 24, 2025 at 7:14 AM
I popped into the open evening of the 'Black In The Frame, We Make The Art We Want To See' exhibition at Lansdown Gallery last night. It highlights the work of six artists and celebrates the depth and range of Black British art today.
It was so good - but it's only here until Sunday.
🧵 1/2
It was so good - but it's only here until Sunday.
🧵 1/2
Back at home running some errands supporting some of our brilliant local businesses.
First stop was to Cam Tyres who I've used for years, then off to Billy for a much needed haircut. What's left of it anyway...
First stop was to Cam Tyres who I've used for years, then off to Billy for a much needed haircut. What's left of it anyway...
October 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Back at home running some errands supporting some of our brilliant local businesses.
First stop was to Cam Tyres who I've used for years, then off to Billy for a much needed haircut. What's left of it anyway...
First stop was to Cam Tyres who I've used for years, then off to Billy for a much needed haircut. What's left of it anyway...
The new GL13 Community Hub and Library in Berkeley officially opened this week. It's the first significant community investment in Berkeley in the last 35 years. It will host loads of community activities, including the foodbank and Citizen's Advice.
1/3
1/3
October 22, 2025 at 6:30 AM
The new GL13 Community Hub and Library in Berkeley officially opened this week. It's the first significant community investment in Berkeley in the last 35 years. It will host loads of community activities, including the foodbank and Citizen's Advice.
1/3
1/3
I wish a Happy Diwali to all those who celebrate.
This, and every festival is an opportunity to bring people together in our communities.
With hope for a peaceful and harmonious world.
This, and every festival is an opportunity to bring people together in our communities.
With hope for a peaceful and harmonious world.
October 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
I wish a Happy Diwali to all those who celebrate.
This, and every festival is an opportunity to bring people together in our communities.
With hope for a peaceful and harmonious world.
This, and every festival is an opportunity to bring people together in our communities.
With hope for a peaceful and harmonious world.
With local councillors last week discussing some of the challenges around the Rodborough to Nailsworth multi-user path.
Increasing the number of people using active transport in our community means healthier people and a healthier planet. It's vital we encourage people to make use of these routes.
Increasing the number of people using active transport in our community means healthier people and a healthier planet. It's vital we encourage people to make use of these routes.
October 18, 2025 at 3:30 PM
With local councillors last week discussing some of the challenges around the Rodborough to Nailsworth multi-user path.
Increasing the number of people using active transport in our community means healthier people and a healthier planet. It's vital we encourage people to make use of these routes.
Increasing the number of people using active transport in our community means healthier people and a healthier planet. It's vital we encourage people to make use of these routes.
Celebrating Rev Awdry today felt long overdue.
There is a wonderful line attributed to the Rev Awdry: ‘Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones we can only dream about’. On Sodor, in his wonderful small format books, and in our hearts, he left us with some of the best adventures.
There is a wonderful line attributed to the Rev Awdry: ‘Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones we can only dream about’. On Sodor, in his wonderful small format books, and in our hearts, he left us with some of the best adventures.
October 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Celebrating Rev Awdry today felt long overdue.
There is a wonderful line attributed to the Rev Awdry: ‘Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones we can only dream about’. On Sodor, in his wonderful small format books, and in our hearts, he left us with some of the best adventures.
There is a wonderful line attributed to the Rev Awdry: ‘Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones we can only dream about’. On Sodor, in his wonderful small format books, and in our hearts, he left us with some of the best adventures.
Visited the Stonehouse Habitat Bank with Cllr Helen Caton Hughes, Cllr Dave Matthews & the Environment Bank. Almost 60 acres of former farmland are being transformed into diverse habitats, boosting biodiversity. We must build homes, but never at the cost of our natural world.
October 16, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Visited the Stonehouse Habitat Bank with Cllr Helen Caton Hughes, Cllr Dave Matthews & the Environment Bank. Almost 60 acres of former farmland are being transformed into diverse habitats, boosting biodiversity. We must build homes, but never at the cost of our natural world.
I’m proud to be Vice-Chair of the new Climate and Nature Crisis Caucus — a cross-party group of MPs and Peers working together for science-led, practical action that delivers for people, planet, and prosperity.
October 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
I’m proud to be Vice-Chair of the new Climate and Nature Crisis Caucus — a cross-party group of MPs and Peers working together for science-led, practical action that delivers for people, planet, and prosperity.
Through Gloucestershire’s NHS social prescribing network, local GPs, and clinicians are offering tickets directly to patients who may benefit most, turning conversation itself into a creative-health intervention.
October 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Through Gloucestershire’s NHS social prescribing network, local GPs, and clinicians are offering tickets directly to patients who may benefit most, turning conversation itself into a creative-health intervention.