Telford GUARDIAN

Former Labour General Secretary Jenny Formby Announces She'll vote Green Party: A Blow to Starmer's Leadership In a dramatic turn of events, former Labour Party General Secretary Jenny Formby has announced her decision to vote for the Green Party, marking a significant shift in the political landscape. This announcement, made in response to a Guardian article, has sent ripples through the Labour Party and beyond, raising questions about Keir Starmer's leadership and the direction of the party. Formby's declaration comes as a stark reminder that dissatisfaction within the Labour ranks is more profound than many might have anticipated. Her decision to support the Green Party is not just a personal stance but a symbolic gesture, reflecting broader discontent among Labour's left-leaning members and supporters. In her response to Aditya Chakraborty's critical analysis of Labour's manifesto, Formby expressed her frustration with the lack of substantial change prop...

As the UK gears up for its general election on  4 July , directors from  leading human rights organisations are calling for increased scrutiny of human rights policies during the campaign period.  Critics argue that the  manifestos of major political parties have largely failed to address critical human rights issues adequately. Human rights advocates have voiced concerns about  the lack of robust commitments to voter rights, disability rights, housing, social care, children's rights, and the right to protest . There are growing fears that the  UK may be retreating from its global leadership role in human rights and neglecting its international legal obligations,  particularly in relation to combatting genocide and torture. Yasmine Ahmed, the UK director of Human Rights Watch, stressed the significance of the upcoming election and the influence the new government will have on the UK's human rights stance.  "The outcome of this election is pivotal,...

Wealthy Nations Fall Short in Nature Finance Commitments to Developing Countries, Reports ODI  The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) has released a damning report revealing that the United Kingdom, along with other affluent nations such as Canada, New Zealand, Italy, and Spain, are contributing less than half of their fair share of nature finance to support poorer countries . The findings indicate a significant shortfall in the financial commitments required for nature restoration projects in low and middle-income countries. According to the ODI's comprehensive analysis, only Norway and Sweden are meeting their fair share of nature finance contributions. The majority of developed countries, including the UK, are falling significantly short on their pledges, raising concerns about the global commitment to environmental sustainability and equitable development. The report highlights that the UK is providing only about 24% of its committed funds for nature finance. This figure pla...

Friendly reminder, if you vote for the Reform Party, you're voting for Nigel Farage. If you're voting because you're anti-establishment, that man is the embodiment of the English establishment.  After taking photo opportunities down a pub with a pint and a fag, he has his assistant call his bank manager at Cootes, the same bank that King Charles banks with. This is the man that told you Brexit was going to lead to a wonderful, prosperous UK and 350 million pounds a week for the NHS and now, years later, stands on TV and says Brexit has failed. His idea, his brainchild, his life's work has failed and has left us all worse off. But he's never been held accountable for that. The reason he's never been held accountable for that is, despite trying seven times, he has never been elected as an MP , despite positioning himself at the centre of UK politics on many issues that he should really have very little to do with. This is a man that, after telling you you would...

Why Voters Should Be More Inclined to Vote Green Party In the upcoming election, voters face critical choices that will shape the future of the UK. Both the Reform Party and the Green Party present divergent visions for the country, each with its own set of priorities and policies. While the Reform Party focuses on tax cuts and deregulation, the Green Party emphasises social equity, environmental sustainability , and public ownership. Here’s why voters should consider casting their ballots for the Green Party. Housing: A Focus on Renters and Social Equity The Green Party’s housing policies are designed to address the pressing needs of renters and low-income families. By advocating for rent controls and a ban on no-fault evictions , the Greens aim to provide stability and affordability in the housing market. This is in stark contrast to the Reform Party's approach, which primarily benefits homeowners and landlords by proposing to raise the stamp duty threshold to £750,000 and s...

Over 30 prospective parlimentary seats are being contested by the Labour Party with candidates tied to both lobbying and fossil fuels.  As the United Kingdom approaches the 2024 general election, concerns are mounting over the involvement of Labour Party candidates in corporate lobbying , particularly for industries that significantly harm the environment, such as oil, gas, and other environmentally damaging businesses. This situation not only poses a serious ethical dilemma but also stands in stark contrast to Labour's professed commitment to environmental consciousness and achieving net-zero emissions . In this article, we delve into why it is wrong for members of Parliament or prospective members from the Labour Party to be involved in such activities, highlighting specific candidates whose backgrounds raise these concerns. The Conflict of Interest The primary issue with Labour candidates being involved in corporate lobbying, especially for environmentally damaging industries,...

Behind Closed Doors: A Tale of Negativity and Bullying in a Constituency Labour Party In a very concerning story that resonates with me personally, and my experiences in the Labour Party here in Telford, I was not shocked to learn of a huge story that has been overlooked in the main, and deserves more coverage. In a dramatic and unsettling turn of events, the Chingford and Woodford Green Constituency Labour Party (CLP) has witnessed an exodus of nearly fifty members , all rallying behind Faiza Shaheen, a candidate who has been unceremoniously ousted by the national party leadership . This mass resignation shines a light on the toxic environment of negativity and bullying that has taken root within some factions of the Labour Party , raising serious questions about the party's internal democracy and its treatment of dedicated members. The Shaheen Saga:  A Case Study in Entrenched Hostility Faiza Shaheen, a respected pro-Palestinian candidate who had tirelessly campaigned for La...

Labour and Tories Would 'Both Leave NHS Worse Off Than Under Austerity,' Claims Independent Think Tank In a recent analysis by the respected Nuffield Trust, it has been claimed that both Labour and the Conservative parties would leave the NHS facing spending cuts harsher than those experienced during the austerity period. This revelation has ignited a fervent debate about the future of NHS funding, with shadow health secretary Wes Streeting and other prominent politicians responding to the alarming forecast. On Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Wes Streeting was asked to address the Nuffield Trust's claims. Streeting, however, spent 12 minutes sidestepping direct questions and delivering scripted responses. He notably disagreed with the analysis, stating that NHS spending would increase "if conditions allow" in the next parliament, should Labour take office. " The worrying part is 'if conditions allow,'" noted critics, highlighting the cond...