Telford GUARDIAN

Sir Keir Starmer Makes New Pledges Hoping Voters Ignore a Pattern of Broken Ones Behind Him In the world of British politics, trust is the currency that buys votes. However, the Labour Party, under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, with Angela Rayner as his deputy, seems to be facing a major credibility crisis.  A detailed look at their track record reveals at least 27 (when we lost count) U-turns and abandoned promises that have left voters questioning the reliability of the party. During his campaign for Labour leadership, Sir Keir Starmer set forth an ambitious agenda with his " 10 pledges ," which included commitments to economic justice, social justice, a sustainable economy, and enhancing public services among others. These pledges were not mere policy suggestions but formed the cornerstone of his campaign, appealing to the core values and hopes of Labour supporters. The Reality:  The reality of Starmer's tenure has been starkly different. His leadership has seen...

 Following an interview on Sky News yesterday with Gordon Brown, the issues raised are causing the Labour Party and local Labour PPC Cllr Shaun Davies to face some awkward questions. The Labour Party's decision to uphold the controversial two-child benefit cap if elected, sparked widespread dismay.  This austerity-driven policy, heavily criticised as ideologically punitive, restricts parents from claiming child tax credit or universal credit for more than two children, a measure that has been identified as one of the biggest drivers of child poverty in the country. Cllr Shaun Davies, the current leader of the Labour council in Telford & Wrekin, has previously acknowledged the severe impact of this policy. Just seven months ago, during a "Meet Shaun" event online, he responded to a question from a Green Party spokesperson about the two-child policy and its contribution to child poverty.  Davies admitted that while the council was doing everything within its power to as...

We all know how bad the tories can be when elected into office, they are hardly shy about it since the ascendancy of Boris Johnson and his cohorts. There are always a few bad apples in any organisation, it's the law of averages unfortunately.  But do we know anything about the cartload of apples that may get elected to replace the current lot, and forming the next government? Does the law of averages apply too?  Do they have bad apples in their cart? Actually, yes we do, and yes they do. From 2019 to 2023 a list was compiled on Vote Watch UK  with more than 200 Labour politicians who have been arrested, suspended, or embroiled in a serious scandal.  Here, we publish just the top 50 on that list (  200 Labour Politicians  ) some made the national news, most didn't, the list speaks for itself so to give you some idea, and let you be the judge -  1. Cllr Tom Dewey, Hackney - Admitted to possessing indecent images of children. 2. Cllr Ismail Bax, Preston...

The Departure of Cllr Davies: A Call for Democratic Renewal in Telford After 13 years at the helm of Dawley Town Council, Councillor Davies has finally decided to step down from his role as Chair. This announcement comes amidst growing concerns about the concentration of power and the spread of responsibilities among local leaders. At the time of writing, the story published on social media had garnered a lot of attention, but with 98% of the comments made being negative, it is clear that he may have left his bubble to find he has a mountain to climb in order to challenge for the Telford parlimentary seat. Cllr Davies has long been a fixture in local government, holding multiple positions simultaneously. His extensive portfolio has included roles as the Chair of Dawley Town Council, a Councillor for Dawley and Malinslee, a member of the Lawley and Overdale Parish Council, and the Labour Leader of Telford and Wrekin Council. Beyond the council chambers, he has also served in various cap...

On Friday 10th May, yet another notch has been carved into the extremely long timeline of a project that has been in development since at least 1987! Almost 5 weeks later than promised to our campaigners, both borough and parish councils announced the publication of the latest in a string of planning applications for a long promised sports facility on land between Overdale and Newdale in TF3 area of Telford. Quickly jumping on social media and claiming " as part of my leadership vision" councillor Shaun Davies, Labours candidate for MP at the next election, said "this has just happened" , creating visions of an ameteur magician pulling a well worn fake rabbit from his dusty and tattered top hat which is stood on a rickety little table and shouting "ta daaa" and expecting a rapturous round of applause!  However, we will lay the bare facts out before you right here, along with a timeline up to April 2024, then you can decide which words you would use to des...

  Labour Party Faces Scrutiny Over MPs' Affiliation with Labour Friends of Israel The Labour Party has come under the spotlight due to the controversial affiliations its MPs have with the Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), a parliamentary group that advocates for strong ties between Britain and Israel.  The Labour party is removing the names of its MPs from a public list associated with LFI. This decision is not without its complexities and raises questions about the motives and implications behind such a move. What is Labour Friends of Israel? LFI is a well-established lobbying group within the Labour Party that supports the State of Israel. With a roster of 73 Labour MPs, 37 Lords, and 4 MSPs, the group's influence is significant.  LFI is known for organising 'fact-finding' missions to Israel, with expenditures exceeding £150,000 since 2002. These trips and their close relationship with the Israeli government and the Israeli embassy in London provide MPs with on-the-gro...

Lifting the Veil: The Challenges of Accessing Information in Public Councils In the pursuit of transparency and accountability within our public institutions, the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) stands as a beacon of residents' rights to access information. However, the road to obtaining information, especially concerning sensitive areas like disability awareness training, can be fraught with unexpected barriers. A recent FOI request to Lawley & Overdale Parish Council reveals the complex interplay between public right to know and administrative challenges. The Quest for Transparency in Disability Awareness Training A resident, armed with the FOI Act, reached out to the Council seeking details on disability awareness training - a fundamental component in ensuring equality and inclusivity within public services. The request was comprehensive, seeking not only the names and details of the courses but also the costs involved in training staff, councillors, and volunteers. The Cou...

The Curious Case of Natalie Elphicke: Labour's Leadership Quandary In an unexpected turn of events that feels more akin to a political chess move than a genuine alignment of values, Natalie Elphicke, the Conservative MP once aligned with the hard-right faction of her former party, has crossed the floor to join Keir Starmer's Labour Party. This defection has provoked mixed reactions, from Steve Baker’s jocular tweets to serious contemplation about the state of British politics. While some view Elphicke's move as a political coup for Labour, others are sounding the alarm about the implications for the health of the UK's democracy.  Elphicke is known for her hardline stances on immigration and her opposition to abortion rights, not to mention her controversial criticism of footballer Marcus Rashford's campaign against child poverty. Moreover, her suspension from Parliament for attempting to influence a judge in her former husband's trial only adds to the complexity...

Embracing Change: How a Ban on Hunting Can Lead to a More Diverse and Sustainable Rural Economy The traditional fabric of rural Britain is undergoing a transformation. As the nation's consciousness shifts towards greater animal welfare, practices such as fox hunting, with its contentious chase and kill aspect, have been thrust into the spotlight.  Public opinion is clear; a staggering 85% oppose such practices, and this has been enshrined in law through the UK's Hunting Act 2004, which outlaws the hunting of mammals with dogs in England and Wales. Beyond the moral arguments, there is an increasing focus on the economic repercussions of this ban and the opportunities it presents for creating a diverse and sustainable rural economy. Tory MP for Wolverhampton South, Stuart Anderson, who is expected to contest his next election in the Ludlow/South Shropshire area,  recently voiced his support for rural sports at Eyton Races. He emphasised the economic advantages of such activiti...

Eyton Point-to-Point Races May Bank Holiday 2024 - A Shadow of Cruelty Over the 'Sport' As the South Shropshire Hunt paraded their hounds at the Eyton races near Telford today , it served as a grim reminder of the deep-rooted ties between point-to-point racing and the morally contentious practice of fox hunting. This display, occurring in the heart of the English countryside, underscores a tradition that, despite its veneer of rural charm and nobility, is increasingly being scrutinised for its ethical implications The South Shropshire Hunt, which was in the spotlight today , is notorious for its contentious history, more so than its North Shropshire counterpart, which we dissected in a previous exposé. It's a history marred by violations ranging from the disturbing to the downright abominable. This group has been found guilty of failing to control their hounds during a fox chase, with a recent court case resulting in a fine for the master of the hunt . Links to their repreh...

On this Bank Holiday Monday, a day which could be spent in joyful leisure and serene relaxation with loved ones, we implore you to consider the gravity of the events scheduled to take place at the point-to-point races in Eyton, in the shadow of the Wrekin. The North & South Shropshire Hunt which are involved in today's event, have a troubling track record, documented by numerous incidents that point to a blatant disregard for wildlife laws and the welfare of animals . A litany of reported offenses includes illegal hunting of foxes, hounds out of control on public roads leading to fatalities, and even assault on individuals who monitor these activities to ensure legality and safety. (see a selection of just 15 incidents referenced below). These events are not merely isolated incidents, but rather a pattern of behavior that conflicts with both the spirit of the law and the basic tenets of compassion towards animals. By attending such events, we inadvertently endorse and financi...