Ben Ray

I’m excited to be returning to the European Parliament as speechwriter in the Cabinet of President Metsola. After nearly 2 wonderful years writing for Commissioner Lenarčič in the European Commission, it's time to embark on this new adventure. I can’t wait to get started! 🇪🇺

The grief and heartbreak are immense today. It is unbearable to imagine the pain the tragic collision between a train and a school bus in Buggenhout has brought, on what should have been an ordinary morning. Today, Europe stands together in mourning with the families of the victims and with all those injured and affected by this terrible day. Europe grieves with you 🇪🇺🇧🇪

Russia's latest indiscriminate attacks on Kyiv and Ukrainian cities have killed and injured yet more innocent people. We will not be silent. These acts of brutality do not serve to strengthen Russia's hand. It weakens it. The brave people of Ukraine remain resilient and Europe will keep standing with them.

For the people who build Europe 🇪🇺 #EuropeanOrderofMerit

United for stability. Building Europe’s future together.

In an increasingly unpredictable world, working closely with our friends and allies across the globe is more important than ever. That’s why we’re in Yerevan today. To build the political will to tackle our shared challenges, together.

Today, we send a strong and clear message to women who want to run for office in Europe. Members of @Europarl_EN have just given their final green light to new rules allowing proxy voting in Plenary for MEPs during pregnancy and after giving birth. A huge step forward, as we now look forward to seeing these rules approved by national parliaments across the Member States. This is progress. This is true representation. This is a modern Parliament.

Europe cannot face a new era with an outdated budget. On behalf of @Europarl_EN, my message to EU leaders in Nicosia was that Europe needs a budget that is fit for purpose and ready to deliver where and when it matters most. We must focus on Europe’s competitiveness and security, without placing the burden of old debt on future generations.

Pleasure to welcome @MarinSanna back to @Europarl_EN today for a discussion on her book 'Hope in Action'. Enjoyed our exchange on women’s paths into politics, and the work that remains to break down barriers and ensure more women can step forward in public life.

Proud Mama. Proud European. 🇪🇺

Delighted to be back at @SuomenEduskunta in Helsinki this morning. A good opportunity to reaffirm the strong ties between our parliaments with Speaker @Halla_aho and parliamentary group leaders, and to discuss next steps in strengthening Europe’s security and competitiveness 🇪🇺🇫🇮

Europe has the power to act and the strength to deliver. Through unity and solidarity, standing together as one. That is why I believe in Europe: that we can lead with confidence, stand firmly on our own feet, and shape our own future. Thank you @PaasikiviS for an excellent discussion in Helsinki this afternoon.

Történelmet írtunk! Isten áldja Magyarországot és minden magyar embert!❤️🤍💚

Congratulations to Member of @Europarl_EN @magyarpeterMP on the victory in today's national elections in Hungary. Hungary's place is at the heart of Europe 🇪🇺🇭🇺 Gratulálok az @Europarl_HU @magyarpeterMP képviselőnek a mai magyarországi országgyűlési választásokon aratott győzelméhez. Magyarország helye Európa szívében van 🇪🇺🇭🇺

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has just called to congratulate us on our victory.

Do not underestimate the resolve of Europe. We have a window of opportunity to take the bold decisions we need to move faster and adapt to the shifting sands. In a more turbulent world, we want Europe to lead. twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Schön heute Abend in Berlin zu sein und mit führenden Vertretern der deutschen Industrie zu diskutieren. Die Botschaft des @Europarl_DE: Wir handeln, um ein starkes, stabiles und verlässliches wirtschaftliches Umfeld zu schaffen, das Unternehmen in ganz Europa brauchen. Wir müssen gemeinsam weiter und schneller vorangehen. Vielen Dank an @Der_BDI für den hervorragenden Austausch. Wir werden diesen Dialog fortsetzen.

Europe and Armenia: allies, partners and friends 🇪🇺🇦🇲 @NikolPashinyan

Honoured to announce the first appointments to the European Order of Merit. These Europeans embody the remarkable diversity of excellence and commitment that drives Europe forward and strengthens its standing across the world. Their extraordinary achievements remind us that people from every walk of life can build Europe on a daily basis, shape our Union, and uphold our shared values. The ceremony of conferral will take place at @Europarl_EN in Strasbourg in May.

The end of the Ayatollah must signal the end of the age of dictators in Iran. After 47 years, it must be time for freedom. For all those murdered, executed and forcibly disappeared; For all those children made to grow up in fear of the regime's shackles; For all those mothers forced to comb through bloody basements piled high with the bodies of innocents as they searched for loved ones;  For the generations of Iranians who had to flee their homes and live in exile; For every political prisoner tortured, executed or unjustly imprisoned; For women, life, liberty. For Jina Mahsa Amini. For every voice forever silenced;  For every son summarily hanged from a crane in a public square; For every innocent European held hostage in horrific conditions by the terrorists in the IRGC; For all the victims of the proxies of terror that the regime trained, financed, supplied and supported as they murdered thousands across the Middle East and the world over the last two generations; For all those for whom the struggle for freedom is not political or a cause célèbre but existential; For all those who want the people of Iran to bask in light rather than remain shrouded in darkness; Now, Iran must be free.

Thank you to @CommonsSpeaker Sir @LindsayHoyle_MP for the warm welcome at the @HouseofCommons this morning. Good to be in London today. Now is the time to reset the relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom, move past the ghosts of the past decade and find ways forward together 🇪🇺🇬🇧