Willy Bach

Twelve years serving Bloomsbury leaves me with a heart full of stories & I end this chapter by writing one of them for @NewJournal Thank you, for the space to reflect. It’s been a privilege, a joy & occasionally worn‑out soles & many multistorey buildings without lifts 😜

Here's my interactive map of last week's local election in London showing every candidate for every ward in every borough - all in one place. smallsites.london/Election2026.h…

Full-length Darren Jones speech on Badenoch’s stunt. In my humble opinion, Darren’s contribution to Labour has been significant.

The justice minister confirms changes to civil legal aid rules to give providers ‘greater flexibility’. We told @lawsocgazette any move to remove contract requirements must be balanced so those who rely on face‑to‑face support can still access it. ow.ly/4ZlU50YC9Nl

⚡From running pro bono advice at @Release_drugs to founding @londonlegal, Bob Nightingale’s impact is huge. @sue_james1 reflects on his legacy - and the millions raised for #AccessToJustice. 👉 Read in 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 here > hi.switchy.io/t0MT

Abdul Fatawu equalises for Ghana against Germany 🔥

Great to launch @camdenlabour’s manifesto yesterday with @Keir_Starmer & welcome back @Georgia_Gould 💪🏾🌹 Real energy from campaigners across Camden - proud to back a plan for housing, climate, young people, safety & inclusive growth 🙌🏾🌹 @camdenlabour delivers 🌹#OnYourSide

Joint working between the UK and EU is, and always has been, critical for our common defence. @FightBach makes the case for prioritising this in an increasingly uncertain global environment at the PPA in Brussels last week.

Labour have been in office for less than two years How long do you think it takes to build a naval vessel? This isn’t Labour’s fault. This is the fault of years of Tory austerity

Adam Sabat is a local resident who lives in the Stoneygate area and will make a brilliant local councillor for Stoneygate residents. Vote Local and Vote 4 Adam Sabat

🚨All 12 of Reform UK's councils are set to put up council tax, despite promising not to in May election pledge. Rises include: Derbyshire - 4.99% West Northamptonshire - 4.99% North Northamptonshire - 4.99% Lincolnshire - 4.99% Nottinghamshire - 3.99%

It is always a pleasure to welcome new #British #citizens! Today we welcomed people from #Fiji #Russia #Syria #Mexico #India & the #Phillipinnes. #Rutland ⁦@rutlandcouncil⁩

Civil legal aid is a vital public service that supports our communities and reduces the strain on other public services. We tell @legalfutures as our head of justice, Richard Miller, gives evidence to the Justice Committee. ow.ly/aG7f50XSUQU

Our Women in Construction courses are celebrating 21 years of getting women into skilled trades! If you’re 16+ and interested in learning painting & decorating, basic plumbing, tiling or carpentry, join one of our FREE taster courses next year. leicester.gov.uk/womeninconstru…

Young people of all backgrounds should have access to the best opportunities. That's what Labour is delivering with Erasmus+. This expanded scheme opens up new opportunities for people across the country to study, train, or work abroad, with financial support. Here's how👇

Rachel Reeves has today done more to transform the lives of 450,000 of Britain’s poorest children than any of the seven previous Conservative chancellors, who, in 14 long years, did nothing but harm to the lives of vulnerable children. newstatesman.com/politics/uk-po…

Agree totally

Expanding free school meal eligibility and beginning the national rollout of free breakfast clubs. Pro-learning, anti-poverty, properly Labour policies. Back me to do more, as Labour’s Deputy Leader.

Honoured to be in the Chamber for a brilliant statement by my friend, Angela Rayner. She is and will remain an inspiration across our movement.

The news of Susan Whelan leaving Leicester City has come as a huge shock and surprise to me. Her contribution to the incredible rise and success of the football club as a business and sporting operation is absolutely in no doubt. But vitally, as most managers like myself would recognise and discover, some of her best, meaningful and important work, from my own experience, was done during difficult and turbulent times. Her business skillset, her strength of personality, directness and ability to make tough decisions during stress is unrivalled, in my experience. When we first met at an interview, her presence and strength was very clear, but importantly her understanding of her role and place was crystal clear to me. Her loyalty to Khun Vichai and the whole Srivaddhanaprabha family was set in stone. She was literally King Power’s ‘safe pair of hands’ during the earlier period of their wonderful Leicester City adventure. Mine, along with Craig and Steve's understanding of how to hopefully find the right way to communicate with our new bosses was constantly reviewed via the feedback, care and assistance of Susan's contribution to our professional relationship. She never abused this authority as the conduit to the owners. This is not always the case, as I’ve experienced at other clubs. The understanding of cultural nuances is pivotal to achieving a successful and meaningful relationship, and her advice to me, in relation to this, is something I cherish. I have both learned, and in turn passed on, that advice and help to others I've experienced and encountered in life. Susan and I both being, let's say, ‘of a strong will and mind’ have crossed swords, and we still both now when we occasionally meet, reminisce over some of these encounters. But one of her watchwords ‘compromise’ is etched in my brain! I remember one colossal disagreement when she was away on holiday with Robbie, and I was nearly home in the car at Chesterfield roundabout, on hands free, lights on red... I looked across, mid-expletive, and the woman in the car adjacent to me just looked at me with her mouth wide open 😂. When Susan and I met next we laughed, apologised and shared a glass of wine. We are both cut from the same cloth... desperate to succeed, strong-minded, but both recognised we were just cogs in a machine and wanted the best for the club and business. Our fondness and respect for each other has never waned, even though as she has discovered, the journey always has an endpoint, even if you don't want it to. I am proud to have managed both King Power clubs, been sacked at both, had personal and family heartache with departure, which has been difficult for us to overcome, but I've always counted on the integrity and honesty of Susan Whelan, someone Leicester City would not have achieved and navigated the choppy waters of this wonderful sport without. Good luck Susan, you’ve been a brilliant colleague, boss, ally and friend. Love to you and Robbie from us all. The Leicester City family will truly miss you and your wonderful wisdom and love. Cheers and love, Nige x