Andrew Mitchell

Withholding UK support for action in the Middle East on legal grounds totally neglects the fact that Iran has been in violent breach of international law for decades. Yesterday in parliament I urged the prime minister to reflect on the analysis of the shadow AG (@DXW_KC) which concludes military intervention is perfectly proper under international law.

Thank you and farewell to Tracey Spare, retiring after many years as Royal Sutton Fun Run Event Director. Tracey has been fantastic, continuing the legacy founded in 1982 by his father. The Fun Run continues under the Directors, with HS Sports delivering the event going forward.

I am very conscious of the profound anxiety the ATLP strike has caused for parents, children - particularly young people in exam years and of course teachers and staff facing a very uncertain future. Following discussions behind the scenes that are taking place, I wanted to let you know that I hope we will hear reassuring news shortly.

There were clearly serious failures within #WestMidlands Police that lead to the outrageous decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv’s travelling fans from Villa Park last November. However, the actions – or inactions - of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) throughout this debacle must also come under serious scrutiny. When we, in government, set up the PCCs in 2010, the aim was that they should represent our constituents to the police. Sadly, the reality has been the reverse, and nowhere more so than in the West Midlands, which is why I strongly support the Government’s decision to abolish the PCCs.

The massacre of innocent Jewish people at Bondi Beach has profoundly shocked many in our local community and is further evidence of the antisemitism, hatred and terror which afflicts so many members of Jewish communities around the world. Our hearts surely go out to those who have lost loved ones and are grieving the loss of dear friends and family.

Across the world, vital work towards improving women’s rights is stalling. We must not allow the progress made over the last century to be undermined.

This week I have been campaigning on behalf of Natalie Queiroz – who was the victim of one of the most shocking crimes in the history of #SuttonColdfield. In 2016 Natalie was attacked with a carving knife by her then partner, Babur Raja. She was eight months pregnant with their baby at the time. This attack happened in broad daylight, on the street, in Sutton Coldfield town centre. She was stabbed 24 times - and the knife missed her unborn child by just two millimetres. If it had not been for the actions of three brave passersby, West Midlands Police being in the area by chance and the Air Ambulance being instantly mobilised, she would almost certainly have been killed, along with her baby. It was a crime that deeply shocked our community, which many will vividly recall. Subsequently, her ex-partner was jailed for 18 years. Natalie, after much painful recovery, went on to become a powerful advocate for victims, was awarded an MBE for her efforts and is now the Victims Commissioner for the West Midlands. However, having worked so hard to rebuild her life and use her experiences to help others, she says she is now living in a state of fear. Why? Because she has been given the shocking news that her ex-partner is soon to be transported to a category D open prison - four years earlier than it was under the former guidelines! What’s more, recent changes under Labour would have brought this forward again by another two years, had Raja not already been up for consideration. Clearly, this is fundamentally wrong. Surely it is unthinkable to include those convicted of #DomesticViolence and Abuse in this already questionable policy, given the dynamic that exists between perpetrator and victim? Domestic Abuse involves a targeted victim, unlike most crimes, and in many cases that focus and hostility does not diminish all the time the perpetrator is in prison. This is why Domestic Abuse crimes must be treated differently. It’s why people convicted of Domestic Abuse are rightly excluded from the Standard Determinate Sentences 40 process, that allows certain prisoners to apply for parole after serving 40% of their sentence, instead of the standard 50%. Surely Domestic Abuse offenders must also be excluded from early transfer to Category D Open Prisons, for the same reasons. Why are they being sent EARLY to open prisons? Only last week, the Prison Governors Association came out publicly stating they have serious concerns for public safety with these changes, as they are now seeing people in the open prison system whom they would not have seen before. They are also seeing significant rates of absconding from open prisons, which is clearly highly worrying. I agree with Natalie, who believes they should only be eligible for such a transfer a MAXIMUM of 12 MONTHS before and not the now 5 YEARS, as it is under current guidance. This week in the Commons, when Labour Justice Secretary David Lammy gave his statement about the recent accidental release of prisoners, I raised Natalie’s case – and asked him why domestic abusers aren’t excluded from this dangerous policy of sending prisoners earlier to open prisons. You’ll see from this clip that his response was far from satisfactory – and will do little to reassure Natalie or other victims of Domestic Violence. The Government are causing them to live in fear. Indeed, I now urge the minister to urgently block the transfer of Natalie’s ex-partner to an open prison, while the impact of this shocking move is properly assessed. Since she nearly lost her life to a vicious attack, @NatalieQueiroz1 has devoted herself to protecting victims. Surely now we must do the same for her, and other victims of domestic abuse?

This evening I went to speak to the @Cambridge_Uni Conservative Association under their Chair @DanVollborth. An impressive group - there’s no doubt the #Conservative Party is in very good hands with young people like these as our future. @CUCAcambridge @Conservatives

Great news for @Fairfax_MAT schools - as figures reveal they are in the top ten nationally for improved attendance. @FairfaxSchool @ErdingtonAcad @BournvilleSch @FairfaxSWA Full story⬇️ suttonschoollife.co.uk/2025/11/05/bir…

A truly happy and memorable day in Royal #SuttonColdfield, marking the start of a new era of local delivery. Today, #Conservative-lead Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council took over the running of our libraries in Boldmere, Walmley and Mere Green, saving them from closure under #Birmingham Labour’s cost-cutting plans. It was a pleasure to attend and speak at the official openings of each library today - and I would particularly like to pass on my congratulations to Vesey campaigners John Cooper and Anja Pawson, whose relentless community work helped secure the future of Boldmere Library, where this video was filmed. I have always believed that #libraries should be protected as one of the civic cornerstones of community life, and Sutton Coldfield residents will be delighted that our libraries are now once again under local control, here in the Royal Town.

It was a great pleasure to open this newly-refurbished library!

Labour haven’t a clue: While promising new libraries today, Labour Birmingham are voting to close them! It is the Conservative led Royal Sutton Coldfield council who are overturning this appalling Labour decision and keeping our libraries from shutting their doors. birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-…

Some very positive news from Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council this evening as local #Conservatives move to save our libraries from bankrupt Labour Birmingham’s cuts. #SuttonColdfield #libraries

@FairfaxSchool set to throw open its doors to the community for open day @FFaxPrincipal @Fairfax_MAT Full story⬇️ suttonschoollife.co.uk/2025/09/19/fai…

For every retweet of this post, I will donate £1 to the @VC_and_GC_Assoc up to £50,000. Time is running out following @I_W_M’s decision to close the Lord Ashcroft Gallery. Visit while you still can, to honour the bravery of those who risked so much to protect our great nation.

They still don’t get it! Labour are trumpeting the opening of a new, SMALLER #SuttonColdfield Police Station. The thousands of Sutton Coldfield people who demanded their say on the future of our police station – only to be ignored – will be rightly infuriated. I have visited the new station, I have been shown around it, and will always support the local officers who work so hard to keep us safe. However, the facts remain: ❌ There was no public consultation on this huge change for Sutton Coldfield – it was a decision rammed through by Labour, despite thousands campaigning against it. ❌ The new station – which is essentially two converted houses – is far too small for a growing town of our size. Half of the ground floor is locker space. There are no meeting rooms – I understand officers are having to use meeting rooms in the Fire Station. ❌ Sutton Coldfield, as a town, is expanding with new housing being built, but there is no room for the new police station to expand. ❌ And, surprise, surprise, proceeds from the sale of the old station have not been reinvested in more local officers for Sutton Coldfield. ❌ In fact, in the very month they opened the new ‘station’, local policing resources have been further reduced with the departure of a dedicated hard-working primary schools PCSO Officer who is not going to be replaced. Once again, local Conservatives fought for local people while Labour let Sutton down, bending to the will of their friends in Birmingham. They have replaced what was a significant, full-service operational police station in Sutton Coldfield, with a minimalist ‘cottage’ police station - and will be investing the proceeds elsewhere. Shame on Labour for thinking they can just ignore the will of local people over such a vital issue as crime and policing. Sutton Coldfield people, who simply wanted a say in their station’s future, will not be fooled. They can trust the evidence of their own eyes.

Voting ONLINE for a New Chancellor of the University of Cambridge is now open today from 10am to 5pm on Friday 18th July! If you have registered to vote - I hope you will join me in supporting Mohamed el Erian, @elerianm President of @QueensCam in his candidacy for Chancellor of @Cambridge_Uni. He will be an outstanding Chancellor if elected, with 100% the right skill set and experience for the job. For all details how to vote follow link here: cam.ac.uk/about-the-univ…