On Saturday, history was made John. Joe Biden was declared President-Elect and his running mate, Kamala Harris became the first woman and the first black person to be elected Vice-President.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ran a successful campaign on the values that we in the United Kingdom share – decency, integrity, compassion and strength.

Their victory is one for hope and unity over dishonesty and division. Millions of Americans of all backgrounds and ages have come together to vote for a better, more optimistic future.

To see just what this victory means to many Americans, watch CNN's Van Jones' moving reaction to the announcement by clicking the button below.

This is also an important moment for the world. It is a chance to reassert America’s place as a force for good on the world stage. A nation that will work with Britain and other allies to fight climate change and defeat this pandemic.

Closer to home, the UK became the first country in Europe to report 50,000 coronavirus deaths this week. To avoid repeating past mistakes, the government must not waste these next few weeks. They must use them to finally fix its broken track and trace system and give control to local authorities.

On Wednesday I was elected as the new Chair of the Co-operative Party Group of Parliamentarians.

It is truly an honour to be elected to this role and I am looking forward to working closely with colleagues in continuing to put our co-operative principles into practice in Parliament.

The Co-operative Party has been a voice for co-operative values in the places where decisions are made for over a century and I am proud to be able to play a part in building on this long and proud history by leading our movement’s representation in Westminster.

I would like to give special thanks to Jim McMahon MP for the leadership and vision he has provided as previous Chair of the Group.

Achieving good health for all and leaving no one behind requires global cooperation and leadership. Now is the time for the UK to step up and play its part.

Click below to read my piece for The Independent on why the UK must have a global plan on healthcare, because no one will be safe from further waves until everyone is safe.

People do not choose to flee their homes unless there is no alternative for them. 

In the last decade, at least 100 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to insecurity either outside or within their country’s borders. They have fled conflict, famine, environmental disasters and persecution.

But the overwhelming majority of those forced to flee their homes are hosted by poorer countries, with almost three quarters of all refugees remaining in a country neighbouring their own.

Covid has worsened the lot of the more than 250 million people facing extreme hunger and without urgent additional support, millions of children could be tipped into famine.

Watch my contribution to yesterday's debate on the impact that Covid is having on refugees by clicking the button below.