Telford GUARDIAN

Labour Party's Inaction on Fox Hunting Licences Sparks Outrage The Labour Party is facing significant criticism for its failure to act on fox hunting licences for Ministry of Defence (MoD) land, an issue that has left many questioning the party's commitment to its own manifesto promises.  The controversy centers around the Labour Party's inability to notify hunters by the August 1st deadline that licences for hunting on MoD land would not be renewed for the upcoming season starting September 1st. This inaction has sparked widespread disappointment and has raised serious concerns about the party's dedication to animal welfare. Mark Webster, a concerned resident and animal rights advocate in Telford, has been vocal about the issue. Webster has written multiple letters to Councillor Lee Carter, the new Leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, and Shaun Davies, the former council leader and now Labour MP for Telford, urging immediate action. However, Webster's pleas have g...

Labour's Railway Nationalisation: A Partial Measure Masquerading as Full Reform Pic:ShaunDaviesStandingUpforTelford Labour's announcements on railway nationalisation, hailed by some as a bold move towards restoring public ownership, is under intense scrutiny for what critics argue is a misleading and partial measure.  The local Green Party of Telford and Wrekin brought these concerns to light on April 30, 2024, just five days after Labour's announcement on April 25. After a thorough examination, it became evident that Labour's plan fails to deliver the comprehensive nationalisation that the public might expect, instead leaving significant profitable sectors in private hands while placing the burden of unprofitable parts on taxpayers. Green Party Article 30Apr24 Continuing Private Franchises One of the most glaring issues with Labour's plan is its failure to end private franchising immediately. Notably, contracts like the Transport UK East Midlands franchise are set ...

Labour's Flawed Economic Narrative: Misunderstanding or Misinformation? As the general election loomed, Labour were keen to present what they claim was a fully costed manifesto, an assurance meant to quell fears about economic mismanagement.  Yet, this narrative is fundamentally flawed and either showcases a profound misunderstanding of economic principles or is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.  The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has gone on record to say that the Green Party was the only party with a fully costed manifesto capable of delivering the necessary changes for the country. This statement alone casts significant doubt on Labour's economic credibility. The Myth of the Government Funding Black Hole A central tenet of Labour's economic argument is the alleged "black hole" in government finances—a notion that is not only incorrect but harmful. The idea that the government must balance its books and avoid borrowing at all costs is a fallacy. Th...

The Campaign to Outlaw Lying in Politics: A Groundbreaking Initiative In a bold and unprecedented move, the Welsh government has committed to making lying in politics illegal. This groundbreaking initiative could potentially reshape the political landscape not just in Wales, but across the globe. As Westminster and other governments watch closely, the implications of such a law could be far-reaching, setting a new standard for political accountability and integrity. The Need for Truth in Politics In recent years, the erosion of public trust in political institutions has become a significant concern. Scandals, misinformation, and blatant falsehoods have plagued the political arena, leading to widespread cynicism and disillusionment among voters. The idea of holding politicians legally accountable for their statements is not just a reactionary measure but a necessary step towards restoring faith in democracy. Lying in politics undermines the very foundation of democratic governance. Demo...

Mark Pritchard: Conservative MP Appears to be Prioritising Personal Business Interests Over Constituents Mark Pritchard, the Conservative MP representing The Wrekin, a constituency that encompasses parts of the wider borough of Telford, seems to be up to his old tricks once again.  Despite currently sitting on the opposition benches, Pritchard has wasted no time in resuming his familiar routine. His actions have sparked considerable controversy, being his first question since he was re-elected and had nothing to do with residents of The Wrekin, as they appear to be driven purely by his own business interests rather than the needs of his constituents. In a recent parliamentary session, Mark Pritchard posed a question to the new Labour Secretary of State for Defence, inquiring if steps would be taken to increase the sanctions for flying over military establishments, facilities providing equipment, goods, and services to the armed forces, and other restricted areas.  This questio...

Exposing the Hypocrisy: Shaun Davies' Maiden Speech in the House of Commons In his maiden speech in the House of Commons, Shaun Davies, the newly elected Labour MP for Telford, painted a rosy picture of his commitment to his hometown and its people.  However, a closer look at the reality of his tenure and policies reveals a stark contrast between his words and actions, particularly regarding young people and local businesses over quality jobs for local residents. Davies began his speech with levity, proclaiming his support for Manchester United, a premier league team, despite the closer proximity of Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers to his constituency, not event mentioning his actual home team of AFC Telford United! This seemingly trivial preference hints at a broader disconnect between his claims of local pride and his actual priorities. The policies he supported as a council leader tell a different story. Telford's economy indeed boasts "some of the biggest defens...

Labour Party Faces Backlash Over Sneaky Digital ID Push In a move that has sparked widespread concern and criticism, Keir Starmer's Labour Party is under fire for attempting to introduce digital IDs through the King's Speech, despite previous assurances to the contrary. Yvette Cooper, on the second day of Starmer’s government, had categorically stated that such a measure would not be pursued. Yet, the Labour Party has seemingly reneged on this promise, causing an uproar among privacy advocates and civil liberties groups. The proposed law, framed as a modern convenience to simplify tasks like opening bank accounts and paying taxes, has been criticised for its potential to grant the government unprecedented control over many aspects of citizens' lives. Detractors argue that these digital IDs could pave the way for significant government surveillance and control, echoing historical concerns that led to resistance against similar systems proposed under Tony Blair. It is expecte...

Green Party Pushes to Revisit the Indefensible Bedroom Tax Policy In a renewed effort to address an enduring and unjust policy, the Green Party is striving to place the bedroom tax back on the political agenda.  This tax, a relic from the previous Conservative government, has unfairly thrown nearly half a million households into poverty. While the policy was intended to encourage occupants to move into smaller homes, the stark reality is that many are unable to find appropriate housing due to shortages, resulting instead in a significant loss of benefits for these vulnerable families. The Green Party's persistent lobbying efforts has begun to yield some response from the current new Labour government. Initially, the government's reaction was tepid, with officials asserting the need to "stick within their financial envelope." This reluctance to prioritise the well-being of affected families was disappointing, highlighting the need for stronger advocacy and accountabili...

 Shaun Davies Faces Backlash for Voting Against Amendment to Scrap Two-Child Benefit Cap Shaun Davies, Telford’s Labour MP, is under intense scrutiny for his recent vote against an amendment to the King's Speech that sought to abolish the two-child benefit cap. This controversial decision not only keeps more than 13,000 children in Telford in poverty but also potentially adds 250,000 more children across England and Wales to the poverty scale too. The two-child cap policy, which restricts financial support to the first two children in a family, has been widely criticised as a significant factor in the UK's persistently high child poverty rates, currently at 30%. Critics argue that the policy disproportionately affects larger families, pushing them towards food banks and severe material deprivation. In Telford alone, the number of people affected by the policy has surged from 29,545 in 2021 to approximately 55,000, according to the latest figures. This stark increase highlights ...

Minister Dodges Telford Hospital Question in House of Commons House of Commons, Tuesday, 23rd July – Tension no doubt filled the stomach of Shaun Davies, Telfords Labour MP, as he asked his 3rd question since being elected. Despite it being a mainstay of his election campaign, Davies,  having twice failed to raise the thorny issue of A&E at our hospital, has finally managed to speak about the pressing concerns around the lack of fully functioning services in Telford today, Tuesday 23rd July 2024.  Davies, campaigned vociferously during the election, for returning services to our hospital. But as it was noted at the time, he failed to sign the NHS Pledge run by the campaign group We Own It, calling into question his true commitment to both the NHS and full services at The Princess Royal Hosiptal. Davies directed his question to his own front bench stating "the last Conservative government made Telford the largest town without a fully functioning A&E. Will the health tea...

Lack of Forward Planning & Curious Last-Minute Price Hikes Mar Council Project While the addition of the defribullators to our parish, albeit 6 years later than others was a welcome thing, something just didn't seem right, questions remained over and above the time it took to deliver these life saving devices.  During investigations, we have  discovered that the "circa" costs to taxpayers for three defibrillators, that were installed late last year in TF3, were estimated at £4500, and are actually at the upper end of the price spectrum in the UK.  At the other end of the scale, the costs could have been around £3150—a significant £1350 cheaper. This discrepancy raises several questions: What negotiations took place to secure a bulk-buy discount? With a purchase of four units (including one donated by The Wrekin Housing Trust), what discounts could have been achieved for our tax money? Moreover, these are not the only defibrillators installed in Telford; we are among t...

The Stark Contrast: A Display of Wealth Amidst Rising Child Poverty in the UK The UK has witnessed a disheartening increase in child poverty. The number of children living in poverty climbed by 100,000, reaching a staggering 4.3 million, or 30% of the nation’s children in 2022/3. This troubling statistic underscores a critical issue: the growing economic disparity in the country. A microcosm of this national crisis can be seen in Telford and Wrekin. Here that equates to 13,200 children living in poverty. Furthermore, it is alarming to note that 60% of Telford and Wrekin council workers are paid poverty wages. The former leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, and now an MP for Telford, often touts the availability of high-quality jobs in the area. However, the reality starkly contradicts this claim.  The denial of the poverty predicament in the borough is palpable, especially considering that the council he recently led applies council tax to the incomes of disabled people and childr...