Adam Thompson MP

October: Staying spooky

As the leaves have started to turn and autumn’s chill has crept in, October has been a month full of energy, community spirit, and real progress across Erewash. From the excitement of new jobs and family hubs to the solemnity of parliamentary debates and local campaigns, I’ve spent the past few weeks doing what I love most: working with, and for, our brilliant communities.

Building for the future – in our schools and streets
The month began on a high note with a visit to Friesland School in Sandiacre. Mr Patterson and his team welcomed me for a chat about road safety, local transport issues, and of course, the ambitious new building works taking place on site. Anyone who’s walked past Friesland recently will have seen the cranes and scaffolding rising where the old 1960s blocks once stood. The new facilities will give local pupils the kind of learning environment they deserve – bright, modern, and fit for the future. I’m staying closely in touch with the school as the project progresses, and it’s great to see their support for the wider campaign to improve access around Junction 25 of the M1.

Beyond our schools, I’ve also been keeping a close eye on the state of our town centres. Early in the month, I wrote about the new Section 215 orders issued by the council – notices to compel negligent landlords to clean up empty and derelict buildings in Ilkeston and Long Eaton. It’s no secret that too many of our high street properties have been left to rot, dragging down the look and feel of our towns. These legal powers won’t solve everything, but they’re already forcing action where it’s long overdue. The notice on Wigfalls in Ilkeston is a good example – a small but significant step in the right direction.

From conference hall to constituency
September ended with the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, which set the tone for a renewed sense of optimism and readiness for government. I was especially proud to attend an event run by the Sea Cadets and Scouts, featuring Long Eaton’s own POC Bracken leading the session on breaking down barriers to volunteering. As a former cadet myself, it was a joy to see one of our local young people taking the national stage and doing Erewash proud.

While in Liverpool, I also caught up with charities and organisations that do vital work in our communities. Meeting with the Guide Dogs was a highlight – not just for the company of a few wonderful four-legged volunteers – but to hear about their ongoing campaigns for accessibility and inclusion. I also spent time with the Musicians’ Union to discuss fair pay and rights for those working in the arts, and reconnected with Duolingo, whose £7,500 donation earlier this year helped our local mental health charity, BlueTonic.

Making our streets safer
One of the campaigns closest to my heart this month has been the Bleed Kits fundraiser. Together, our community has now raised over £3,000 to fund lifesaving emergency bleed control kits in local bars and venues. Every pound raised will help ensure that if tragedy strikes, help can be given in those critical first minutes before paramedics arrive. I’m enormously grateful to everyone who’s chipped in – individuals, pubs, and local businesses alike. The next step is distributing the kits around Erewash, and I’ll share updates as they roll out.

That commitment to safety also extended into Parliament, where I was proud to present the petition for a safer Ilkeston Market Place. The petition, led by the family of Samuel Wilson after the devastating vehicle attack last December, gathered nearly 7,000 signatures. Carrying those binders of signatures through Parliament was one of the most moving moments of my year. Samuel’s family have shown remarkable courage, and I’ll keep pushing to make sure meaningful change follows.

Jobs, homes and opportunity
There’s been some real good-news stories for our local economy this month. Chief among them was the announcement that Italian manufacturer Fassa Bortolo will be opening a new factory at New Stanton Park – creating over 100 skilled jobs right here in Ilkeston. This investment represents a huge vote of confidence in our workforce and our region’s industrial future. Fassa’s plans to use the existing rail spur at Stanton mean a boost not just for jobs, but for sustainable transport too – reducing congestion on our roads and keeping freight moving efficiently.

Housing has also been high on the agenda. The government’s proposals to reform the process of buying and selling homes could be a real game-changer for first-time buyers. Making surveys available earlier, standardising contracts, and improving transparency could save buyers hundreds of pounds and prevent deals from collapsing at the last minute. I’ve heard from plenty of local residents who know how stressful and expensive the process can be – so I’m keen to see these proposals developed and implemented swiftly.

And of course, right at the end of the month came a milestone moment: the Renters’ Rights Bill becoming law. It delivers on a key Labour commitment to make renting fairer and more secure. No-fault evictions are now banned, rent hikes can be challenged, and landlords will have to meet higher safety and living standards. For the 11 million people renting across England – including many here in Erewash – this is a major step forward.

Supporting families and children
Another fantastic development this month was confirmation that Derbyshire will receive £250,000 to establish new Best Start Family Hubs. These will build on the legacy of Sure Start, offering practical, wrap-around support to families with young children. From nutrition advice and early learning to SEND support and social opportunities, the hubs will help parents give their children the best possible start in life. I’ll be working closely with Derbyshire County Council to make sure Erewash benefits directly from this investment.

In Parliament, I also took part in this year’s Baby Loss Awareness Week debate. It was one of the most moving sessions I’ve been part of since becoming an MP. I was joined by local families involved in the Nottingham section of the Ockenden Review, who have shown extraordinary strength in the face of unimaginable loss. With their permission, I shared their stories during the debate – and I’ll continue pushing for lasting improvements in maternity care so no other family has to endure what they have.

Celebrating community and culture
October is, of course, fair month – and I had an absolute blast at the Ilkeston Charter Fair, now in its 773rd year. This year’s event ran an extra day, thanks to Erewash Borough Council, and it was brilliant to see the town centre buzzing with life. From chatting with our Mayor Harry Atkinson and the Showman’s Guild, to watching young Freddie ring the opening bell, it was a day full of smiles. I even braved the waltzers and lived to tell the tale!

Later in the month, I was back in Ilkeston for something equally joyous – the Halloween Trail. Huge thanks go to Joe Cahill and all the local shops who made it possible. Seeing hundreds of children (and more than a few adults!) in fancy dress brought such a lift to the town. I might have taken the opportunity to dust off my inner 2006 emo rockstar, but I promise it was all in good fun.

In Cotmanhay, we had a very different but equally inspiring community gathering. Following the East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward’s announcement of nearly £250,000 of funding for Cotmanhay through the Mayor’s Community Development Fund, I invited residents to a meeting to decide how that money should be spent. Over ninety minutes, we generated a fantastic list of ideas – from youth clubs to gardening groups and improved parks. The sense of collaboration in the room was exactly what community politics should be about. I’ll be working with local groups now to turn those ideas into concrete funding bids.

Standing up for local jobs and industries
Another key part of my work this month has been supporting our local industries. I held a major meeting in Long Eaton with the Guild of Furniture Manufacturers – a proud local institution representing the area’s world-renowned upholstery sector. We discussed everything from energy costs and workforce challenges to international competition. I’ll be taking those concerns directly to Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and I’m urging him to visit Long Eaton to see the industry first-hand. As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Furniture Industry, I’ll keep making the case for furniture manufacturing to be included in Labour’s national industrial strategy. It’s a £40 billion sector – it deserves recognition and support.

I also joined my regular meeting of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, or POST, where MPs and researchers work together to ensure that Parliament has access to impartial scientific evidence. As a scientist and former teacher, this side of the job means a great deal to me – it’s the quiet, technical work that keeps policy grounded in fact.

On the doorsteps of Long Eaton
Politics on the ground has been heating up again, with the announcement of a by-election in Long Eaton North following the resignation of a Reform Party councillor. It’s frustrating that residents are being asked to go back to the polls just five months after the local elections, especially when the by-election itself will cost around £30,000 of taxpayers’ money. But people deserve proper representation, and our Labour team has already been out knocking on doors, listening to local concerns, and setting out a positive alternative.

The issues on the doorstep have been clear: anger at the closure of the adult education centre, frustration with the spread of HMOs, and deep concern over council tax rises that could see bills jump by over £150 next year. People in Long Eaton deserve better – and we’ll be working flat out to show them that Labour is the party of practical, community-focused solutions.

Health, wellbeing, and compassion
Mental health has been another big focus this month. At the end of October, I joined the Men Walking and Talking group in Long Eaton for one of their regular evening walks around West Park. These groups provide a simple but powerful space for men to talk openly about their mental health, without judgement. It was humbling to see the warmth and support they offer one another. I mentioned the group in Parliament earlier that day, and I’ll continue to highlight the incredible work they do. If you’re struggling, please remember – you’re not alone, and there is always someone who will listen.

I also met with Hospice UK to mark Hospice Care Week. We spoke about the future of end-of-life care and the funding pressures hospices are facing. Treetops Hospice in Risley does outstanding work for local families, but like many others, it needs a fairer long-term funding model. The government’s £100 million capital fund was welcome, but bricks and mortar mean little without the dedicated staff to make care possible.

Wins this month
My team have been working as hard as ever to support local people – here’s an array of this month’s wins:

• Secured repairs to weight restriction signs on New Tythe Street and Meadow Lane, Long Eaton.
• Worked with Erewash Borough Council to restore vehicle access to Trent Meadows car park after closure for works.
• Arranged the removal of a dangerous tree on Hillside Drive, Long Eaton, following safety concerns.
• Resolved a pension discrepancy for a resident living part-time overseas after difficulties contacting HMRC.
• Helped an Ilkeston charity secure a refund for an incorrect charge.
• Resolved a passport delay for a resident after months of waiting by contacting the Passport Office directly.
• Supported a SEND family in a complaint against Derbyshire County Council over home-to-school transport issues.
• Recovered over £1,000 for a Long Eaton resident whose carer’s allowance had been wrongly deducted.
• Secured a new kitchen and compensation for a disabled resident living with mould for more than a year.
• Helped a resident move into a council home closer to his family.
• Secured home-to-school transport for a child with SEND after an initial refusal.
• Resolved a debt collection error for a resident who had already paid.
• Supported a homeless veteran into new accommodation, with local residents donating furniture and essentials.
• Secured emergency housing for a Long Eaton family unable to remain in their home, with ongoing support to find a permanent place.
• Ensured mobile breast cancer screening continues in Long Eaton, relocating the unit to West Park Leisure Centre.
• Supported a resident’s complaint to the Department for Work and Pensions, resulting in an apology and expert guidance.

Looking ahead
As October draws to a close, I’m reflecting on what a varied and fulfilling month it’s been – from the conference floor to the classroom, from the factory floor to the fairground. Each week has brought another reminder of what makes Erewash such a special place: its resilience, its warmth, and its deep sense of community.

November will bring new challenges – the Long Eaton by-election, the ongoing work to deliver local investment, and the steady push for better services across Derbyshire. But after a month like this, I feel more energised than ever. Together, we’re building something that lasts – safer streets, stronger families, fairer jobs, and a community that always looks out for its own.

Here’s to keeping that momentum going.