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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · 3h

It’s so exciting to be chairing the non-fiction @womensprize.bsky.social 2026 alongside a fantastic group of women - and alongside another fantastic group judging the fiction prize chaired by Julia Gillard! 👇🏽

Women's Prize @womensprize.bsky.social · 19h

Meet the Judges of the 2026 Women’s Prizes!

A warm welcome to: Julia Gillard, @monaarshiwrites.bsky.social, Salma El-Wardany, Cariad Lloyd and Annie Macmanus, and Thangam Debbonaire, Roma Agrawal, Nicola Elliott, Nina Stibbe and Nicola Williams.

#WomensPrize

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · 24d

Second day of this stage in Lords comes next Friday 19th September. Votes at end of day on amendments and Bill.
My speech from day 1: 👇🏽 and scroll up/down for other speeches.

hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2025-0...

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - Hansard - UK Parliament

Hansard record of the item : 'Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill' on Friday 12 September 2025.

hansard.parliament.uk

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · 24d

Definitions and criteria are not tight enough. Most of the professional bodies even those neutral on overall topic of assisted dying are opposed to this Bill - dangerous loopholes, risk people request early death because of lack of treatment/pain management, damage to Dr/patient relationship. (4)

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · 24d

Problem is that “choice” isn’t a genuine one when there are huge gaps in diagnosis, treatment, palliative/social care and pain management. People with eating disorder or other potentially treatable condition can become terminally ill if right treatment not available or delayed. (3)

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · 24d

Debate included notable speeches on risks of delayed diagnosis turning a treatable condition into a terminal one, impact of gaps in palliative/social care, risks of coercion. Also case for the Bill focussing on significant problems with status quo, untreatable pain and suffering and choice. (2)

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · 24d

🧵on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Friday’s second reading debate in House of Lords was a demonstration of the second chamber at is best: thoughtful, detailed exploration of specific aspects of the Bill as well as its aims. Respectful tone, focussed on the Bill in front of us. (1)

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Aug 25

The podcast in which I discuss migration, budget pressures, why politicians shouldn’t tell arts/culture and media what to make, create or commission, new parties, new Hamlet and more. With @edvaizey.bsky.social and Robin Brant on Times Radio.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...

Pressure Grows Over Immigration

Podcast Episode · Politics Unpacked · 22/08/2025 · 33m

podcasts.apple.com

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Aug 22

In Sudan, years of horrific conflict, mass hunger, displacement and sexual violence also urgently need our help:

donate.unrefugees.org.uk/~share?cid=5...

Donate to UK for UNHCR

Donate to UK for UNHCR to provide shelter, food, and protection to millions of refugees forced to flee war and persecution.

donate.unrefugees.org.uk

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Aug 22

Thank you!

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Aug 22

As the horrifying, predicted and inevitable human-created famine in Gaza is finally confirmed, please consider donating to pay for aid whenever it is allowed in:

t.co/1ZMT96pswG

https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/children-in-gaza-crisis-appeal/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20657644496&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqqDFBhDhARIsAIHTlkt-GQN8am1JHQ62zjcHMWWf6w2F4FhtbgqETf6Dvdg8L7J1-8bmru0aAke3EALw_...

t.co

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Reposted by Thangam Debbonaire

Labour Women's Network @labourwomensnet.bsky.social · Aug 11

An impressive set of candidates have put themselves forward to lead Labour Women's Network.

Voting is now open! If you're an LWN member, search your inbox for [email protected] for your ballot.

#LWNelects25

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Aug 11

Honoured to be re-elected chair of @labourwomensnet.bsky.social and congrats to Kiran! LWN members can vote for 4 more exec committee roles before 15th Sept. Fantastic sisters standing - take a look!

Labour Women's Network @labourwomensnet.bsky.social · Aug 11

📣 #lwnelects25 update: with only 1 valid nomination each for LWN Chair & Secretary:
🌹 Thangam Debbonaire is re-elected Chair
🌹 Kiran Mahil is re-elected Secretary
Congratulations to our two brilliant Labour sisters!
Polls are open for 4 Exec Committee roles - cast your votes before 15 Sept

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Reposted by Thangam Debbonaire

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · Aug 11

“The ecosystem is essential, not optional.”

🎥 In her maiden House of Lords speech, new peer @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social highlighted the need for a "political case" for the arts, and for treating them as an ecosystem.

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Aug 11

It was my constituency and the statue is now in the local museum, with proper contextual information to give a more accurate account of history.

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Aug 11

Here is the article from the Times this morning covering some of what I said about the statue of Robert Clive. At the very least, it needs accuracy and context. Ideally, it should not be outside the Foreign Office. Just some honesty in general about the impact of British colonialism would be good.

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Aug 8

In Edinburgh for weekend of discussion about freedom of expression, especially in the arts. If you are around, come join the event at @edbookfest.bsky.social I’m speaking at - panel on the above topic, tomorrow, 9th August 14.15.

www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...

Freedom of Expression: The Long View

From Sat 9 Aug - The debate around freedom of expression feels more contested than ever. But the concept of freedom of expression in the arts is relatively recent, and it was only in 1968 that censors...

www.edbookfest.co.uk

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Jul 31

www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/30/f...

French government adopts bill for restitution of colonial-era objects

The text will be submitted for a vote in the senate on 24 September

www.theartnewspaper.com

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Jul 26

Yesterday, me and Michael Binyon on @edvaizey.bsky.social hosting Politics Unpacked covering online safety, recognition of state of Palestine, doctors’ strikes, and how come I’ve not been to ABBA Voyage and they both have…

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...

Battle With The BMA

Podcast Episode · Politics Unpacked · 25/07/2025 · 30m

podcasts.apple.com

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Reposted by Thangam Debbonaire

Susie Dent @susiedent.com · Jul 26

Sometimes the historical dictionary offers solace through the existence of an obsolete word that is sorely needed now. One of them is ‘respair’, recorded just once, in the 15th century. It means fresh hope, and a recovery from despair.

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Jul 26

This was such a wonderful evening - thank you @katherinechibah.bsky.social and our pals Emily and Cathy for making beautiful music. X

Katherine Chibah @katherinechibah.bsky.social · Jun 13

Last night was a 2 gig night - Last Leaf Danish folk tunes & Dvorak with my beloved @parlystring4tet mates followed by the amazing Mozart G Minor Quintet with the brilliant Clapton Collective in a different part of town. What a fun / exhausting evening.

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Jul 9

The podcast in which I chat to two other musicians about many sorts of music, about joy, about how arts help with grief, what to put on a running playlist, how arts organisations can make a better political case, and more. So yeah. It’s not short!

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

139. Baroness Thangam Debbonaire and the underrated value of joy

Podcast Episode · Three In A Bar · 09/07/2025 · 1h 26m

podcasts.apple.com

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Jul 3

The two-minute speech I made in House of Lords on the value of art & culture - my first, but not my last.

(Time limited because debate max one hour on state music education and it was over subscribed; broader topic because first speeches allowed more scope).

hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-0...

Music Education: State Schools - Hansard - UK Parliament

Hansard record of the item : 'Music Education: State Schools' on Tuesday 24 June 2025.

hansard.parliament.uk

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Jul 3

Thank you

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Jul 3

The job of UK Chancellor is one of the toughest in the world and these are the worst of uncertain times. For the last 364 days our @labourwomensnet.bsky.social sister Rachel Reeves has had more to deal with every day than anyone can imagine and we are very proud of her.

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Thangam Debbonaire @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social · Jun 29

Lovely to be able to say I was there! #Glastonbury #Raye

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Glastonbury - RAYE - I Know You're Hurting

RAYE performs I Know You're Hurting at Glastonbury 2025.

www.bbc.co.uk

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