Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 21/01/2026Social media represents a major public health risk to our young people, and future generations. That’s why I’ve campaigned for a social media ban for under 16s. Today I asked the Prime Minister to confirm the consultation will lead to swift action 👇 120
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 20/01/2026I welcome the Govt consultation on banning social media for under 16s. The evidence for action is already conclusive, and I will continue to campaign for this to be done at pace. Every day children are exposed to harmful & addictive content is another day of preventable harm. 331
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 18/01/2026We all know the harm social media causes to young people's mental health. The Labour Govt has acted significantly in recent months. Today, 61 Labour MPs have written to the PM urging him to go further. We back an Australia-style model that puts the onus on tech firms to block under 16s access. 491
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 08/04/2025This Labour government is delivering defence investment into Plymouth - and it's only the beginning. 1160
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 26/03/2025Strange to see myself on TV in my Royal Marines uniform this week! This was filmed last year before the election. I’m always blown away by how professional & motivated the people who sign up to become Commandos are. I never had a training role as a regular, so it was a privilege to be involved. 8101
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 21/03/2025The Army know how to modernise, but they need more funding (now) to do it, and we need to tell a national story about the high technology, secure, ethical work available in a growing defence industry. 020
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 21/03/2025But the fact remains we are sending our people out to Estonia to man the Russia border without the full suite required to fight and survive in contemporary warfare. And we know it. 110
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 21/03/2025One thing Gen Roly was clear on is how crucial the ever closer relationship between fighting force and defence industry becomes if we are to achieve his vision. Thank you to all the companies who have been supporting the Army. 110
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 21/03/2025And the same goes for the leadership from top to bottom. Gen Roly Walker, chief of the Army, briefed us his relentless focus on leveraging tech to increase lethality and survivability. 110
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 21/03/2025From FPV drones that kill tanks, to electro-magnetic warfare devices - they’re not waiting around for the system to put the right kit in their hands: they are getting after it themselves. 110
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 21/03/2025The ingenuity of our soldiers amazes me. They know they will be deploying for 6 months just 100km west of the Russia border & want to be ready. With little direction, many have taken it upon themselves to buy tech online & tinker with it to produce contemporary capability. 110
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 21/03/2025This was part of a remarkable Defence Committee visit to British Army HQ. Briefed in Andover by Gen Roly Walker and his team, then out to see the Forward Land Force, part of 1 Div, on their final exercise before they go out to Estonia to take up the job of deterring Putin. 110
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 21/03/2025My first time back on Salisbury Plain Training Area as an MP brought mixed emotions: Awe and pride in our soldiers and their relentless focus on fighting and winning on the one hand. But equally: alarm at how slow our defence system is responding their pleas for modernisation. 121
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 07/03/2025Top story on @telegraphnews.bsky.social this morning carrying my argument for defence investment supercharging growth. We must: - Manufacture at scale and export, like the French do - Reform civil service commercial paralysis - Joint venture with Ukrainian companies on UK soil 231
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 27/02/2025Defence spending is an investment in our number one mission: growth. It can create tens of thousands of skilled, secure and unionised jobs in manufacturing and technology. We can export to NATO, unlock private investment, and secure our economy. #PoliticsLive @bbc-politics.bsky.social 583
Reposted by Fred Thomas MPThe House magazine @thehousemag.bsky.social · 27/02/2025"Reform MPs reject British values and spew Kremlin propaganda. The British people will see through their dangerous rhetoric." ✍️ Five Labour MPs elected in July @miketapp.bsky.social @willstonemp.bsky.social @fredthomasuk.bsky.social, Helena Dollimore, and Paul Fosterpoliticshome.comFalse-patriot Reform MPs are incapable of standing up for British valuesReform MPs reject British values and spew Kremlin propaganda. The British people will see through their dangerous rhetoric. 132
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 27/02/2025I'll be on PoliticsLive at 12:15 today. 👉 Watch live at: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live...bbc.co.ukWatch BBC Two live - BBC iPlayerWatch BBC Two live on BBC iPlayer. 230
Reposted by Fred Thomas MPThe House magazine @thehousemag.bsky.social · 06/02/2025We must be clearer with the public about the threat of Russia ✍️ @fredthomasuk.bsky.socialpoliticshome.comWe must be clearer with the public about the threat of RussiaThe government is committed to increasing the defence budget, but to bring the public onside they need to be transparent about Russia’s aggression. 111
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 01/02/2025Great morning on the doors. @lukepollard.bsky.social Many residents mentioned delight that we have secured Derriford’s new A&E after years of empty Tory promises. We knock doors all year round, not just at election time! 3194
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(19/19) I am absolutely determined to continue to fight for better health outcomes for people in Plymouth, and whilst I am over the moon about last week’s news at Derriford, this victory only makes me even more determined to go on and get more for our city and its people. 020
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(18/19) This win will make an enormous difference for staff and patients, but I know it is not the final piece of the puzzle. We still need improvements in healthcare settings right across the city, at Derriford, at GP surgeries and in dentistry. 120
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(17/19) This will house an Urgent Treatment Centre, not to be confused with the new A&E which will be party of the main hospital building. I am deeply impressed by hospital staff at every level. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(16/19) The team at Derriford have almost completed the new Dartmoor Building which has sprung up overlooking Derriford Roundabout. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(15/19) This is incredibly exciting news for Plymouth, and as a city we should feel incredibly proud that we have secured such immense investment into our hospital. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(14/19) And now here we are, at the start of 2025, with confirmation from the Health Secretary that the new A&E will be built, and that the work will start within the next 12 months. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(13/19) He met staff, heard first-hand about the many challenges they face, and was told what a new A&E Department would mean to them and folk across Plymouth. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(12/19) It was then that I knew the most compelling way to make our case to the Health Secretary would be for him to visit himself and meet some of the incredible staff. So, I invited him and over Christmas he made a quiet, low-key visit to Derriford Hospital. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(11/19) At the start of December I was invited to join staff on a night shift at Derriford, and given the opportunity to see the amazing work that they do under such difficult circumstances. I saw heroics that night, but I know that it is simply what happens there every day. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(10/19) I was doing all I could to make sure that decision makers in Whitehall understood how important this project was for our city. But ultimately, it was hard to know whether the message was getting through. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(9/19) Behind the scenes I was meeting with the Health Secretary, making our case for a new A&E and liaising with Derriford’s senior leadership to make sure the message I was sending to government was the correct one. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(8/19) I wrote to Boris Johnson calling out his lies, asking him to apologise to the people of Plymouth and I asked a question to the Deputy PM during PMQs, securing a meeting with ministers. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(7/19) So, the government had to assess whether all of these projects, including Derriford, were viable and affordable. That’s when my campaign really stepped up a gear. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(6/19) Then, when the Labour Party came into power last year, we discovered that the Conservatives had not allocated funding to the project or the 40 other promised projects across the country. It had always been an empty promise in an attempt to win votes. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(5/19) We were first promised a "New Hospital" in 2019. It then turned out that it wasn’t a new hospital at all, it was a new – and still very much needed - A&E department. We were then promised this new A&E year after year, but it never came. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(4/19) We had to work hard to secure this essential investment in our city because of the empty promises made by Boris Johnson and his former Tory MP here in Plymouth. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(3/19) This announcement has come after a relentless campaign from myself and the Labour Party here in Plymouth. But we never should have needed a campaign in the first place. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025(2/19) Last week it was finally announced that we would be getting that new A&E. It’s incredible news for Plymouth, and I want to take an opportunity to reflect on my campaign, and how we got here, and what comes next. 100
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025Derriford A&E Campaign - A 🧵 (1/19)During the general election last year I promised that I would fight tooth and nail to improve NHS services in Plymouth, and committed myself to deliver the new A&E Department that Derriford so desperately needs. 471
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 23/01/2025(2/2) To make the case for increased defence spending to the public, we must be honest about the scale of threats we face. This is a confident and positive step. 222
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 23/01/2025Yesterday, John Healey announced publicly that we deployed a Royal Navy submarine to surface next to a Russian spyboat in our waters. This marks a major shift in military transparency. (1/2) 👇 163
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 20/01/2025Like many in Plymouth, I come from Cornish family. My grandfather spent his life working & championing what it means to be Cornish. He would be devastated at Cornish people missing out on new houses, jobs and powers. Isolation and nationalism are not worth it. www.facebook.com/share/v/19oQ...facebook.comRedirecting... 253
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 08/01/2025📣 I’m hiring a constituency intern. 💡 Are you a team player? Do you care about Plymouth? Do you want to help change our community for the better? 👉 Apply now, details at: www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a... 274
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 07/01/2025Derriford Hospital has just declared another critical incident. Thank you to everyone at Derriford who is working hard under difficult circumstances at this time. Please help if you can by following the advice below 👇 261
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 27/12/2024“We should swim in those waters” Beautifully articulate from Democrat @schatz.bsky.social on the need for us on the left to talk and listen to right wing concerns. “It’s not just that we should go on Joe Rogan… we should listen.” Well said. Back to Twitter… www.politico.com/news/magazin...politico.comBrian Schatz to Democrats: Please, Stop With 'Center' and 'Making Space'As the Hawaii senator charts his path up the Senate hierarchy, he reflects on his party’s major challenges. 110
Reposted by Fred Thomas MPUK Defence Journal @ukdefencejournal.org.uk · 18/12/2024During a Defence Committee session, Fred Thomas MP questioned whether the UK's current defence spending aligns with the increasing threats identified by senior defence figures and NATO leadership. ukdefencejournal.org.uk/concerns-rai...ukdefencejournal.org.ukConcerns raised over defence spending not meeting threatsDuring a Defence Committee session, Fred Thomas MP questioned whether the UK's current defence spending aligns with the increasing threats identified by senior defence figures and NATO leadership. 2242
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 16/12/2024🌊 I’m delighted that Plymouth has been awarded £1.6 million funding for the exciting ‘Sea for Yourself’ cultural programme. 👉 Culture is a huge part of what makes our city so great. It was a pleasure to meet Plymouth Culture at Parliament for the announcement & I look forward to seeing it develop. 4122
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 12/12/2024Western support to Ukraine will always cause a reaction from Russia. When the West makes headlines out of Russian threats, Putin benefits. At Defence Committee, I asked what Russia may do next to raise Western concerns about supporting Ukraine 👇 151
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 12/12/2024Last week I joined staff on a night shift at Derriford A&E. I saw first-hand the challenges staff are facing, and the urgent need for more space. I’m now calling for Health Secretary Wes Streeting to visit our hospital, to meet the fantastic staff, and better understand the support they need 👇 6213
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 10/12/2024Yesterday I spoke on GB News about Syria and what developments might mean for refugees returning home. If we want to reduce asylum claims and create conditions where refugees can return home, we must pursue conflict prevention, peace and stability around the world. Watch 👇 3121
Fred Thomas MP @fredthomasuk.bsky.social · 09/12/2024I was delighted to chair a meeting this morning with Alex Norris MP, Minister at MHCLG. To meet defence demands, we are clear that Plymouth needs investment in our skills, housing and transport. We had a constructive meeting and will continue to work together to bring growth to our city. 242