Along with many in the Labour Party, I felt a wave of contentment when reading the 2017 Labour Party manifesto. Finally, after many years where there was little more than a cigarette paper between the two main political parties, there was now clear water. The manifesto painted a vision of a society where the needs … Continue reading Divided we Fall
Healing the scars of our colonial past
Many questions arise from the events in Bristol over the weekend. Should demonstrators have free rein to take part in criminal damage? No. Am I delighted that the statue of Edward Colston now lies at the bottom of Bristol harbour? Yes, absolutely! While I don't condone the criminal damage I can certainly understand why it … Continue reading Healing the scars of our colonial past
White Privilege
Laurence Fox's appearance on BBC Question Time certainly set off a social media debate on 'white privilege' and what it does or doesn't mean. As users of social media will be aware this rarely ends up with measured argument, where opinions are respectfully countered and true to form it didn't let us down in this … Continue reading White Privilege
It’s time for us to step up, not down
I remember tentatively walking into my first ever local Labour Party meeting in October 2016. Little did I know then that in three years I'd have been a candidate in not one, but two General Elections, that certainly wasn't the plan! The result was shockingly bad for the Labour Party and a new leader will … Continue reading It’s time for us to step up, not down
What lies ahead – and how we can stop it
As a child completely obsessed by all things weather related, I first came across the concept of 'global warming' while reading a book which contained a chapter entitled 'Fire or Ice?'. At that time in the late 1970's there was actually some uncertainty about which type of climate emergency we were heading for, as there … Continue reading What lies ahead – and how we can stop it
Labour must be bolder on Equal Access
Since the 'Access for All' funding scheme was first introduced by the previous Labour government in 2006, the progress of step-free access improvements on the UK railways has made somewhat stuttering progress. The 'Equality 2025' target was quietly dropped and replaced by the goal of achieving equal access for disabled people across the transport system … Continue reading Labour must be bolder on Equal Access
NEC CLP Election Nomination Address
Divided we fall; factionalism is both a luxury we cannot afford and one that voters will not forgive us for at the ballot box. Achieving unity is essential to our success and I have a track record in bringing people together with different views and working across political divides to agree solutions. I am a … Continue reading NEC CLP Election Nomination Address
Biggleswade Step-Free Update 29th June
We are living through unprecedented times and my work has been dominated by the effects of the pandemic, so it was a welcome change to attend the latest Zoom meeting today regarding progress on step-free access at Biggleswade train station. Attendees at the meeting included lead designers and sponsors from Network Rail, Richard Fuller MP, … Continue reading Biggleswade Step-Free Update 29th June
An open letter re Johnson and Cummings
Dear Richard I am writing to you regarding the actions of Boris Johnson’s special adviser Dominic Cummings, the subsequent actions of Boris Johnson himself and the potential consequences of the actions of both. Although it will not be tested in Court it is clear to many, including those with considerable legal expertise, that Dominic Cummings … Continue reading An open letter re Johnson and Cummings
Johnson reveals so much by saying so little
On Wednesday afternoon (27th May) Boris Johnson appeared in front of the Commons Liaison Committee. A Prime Minister normally appears in front of this committee around three times a year. This was Johnson's first appearance in front of it. To very loosely paraphrase his hero, never was so much revealed by someone saying so little … Continue reading Johnson reveals so much by saying so little
The beginning of the end for Boris?
So overwhelming has been its effect, as it has reached into every nook and cranny of our daily lives, it's difficult to remember a time before Coronavirus. A few months on from a thumping election victory and apparently 'getting Brexit done', Johnson must be wistfully thinking whether he will ever see his sunlit uplands again. … Continue reading The beginning of the end for Boris?
Stop the clapping, support our NHS
I believe it's time for the 'clap for carers' to stop. This is not because I'm 'unpatriotic' or don't recognise the incredible work carried out by our NHS, I love both dearly. Like huge numbers of people across the UK I've been moved by the show of affection for our brilliant NHS and carers. However, … Continue reading Stop the clapping, support our NHS
A turbulent year
It is said that most political careers inevitably end in failure. I seem to have turned this statement on its head and started my journey with a series of defeats! I've been reminded that it is a year since the local government elections. This made me reflect what a year it had been and how … Continue reading A turbulent year
NE Beds CLP Chair’s Update
On Monday I sent out an update to all Labour members across our local Labour Party in NE Bedfordshire. I realised that our day to day lives had changed monumentally since I previously sent out an update - just five weeks earlier. Further, and although seeming almost trivial in comparison to drama and tragedy of … Continue reading NE Beds CLP Chair’s Update
