Telford GUARDIAN

Compulsory ID cards in the UK have become a hot topic of debate, especially with recent proposals from the Labour Party to introduce a mandatory digital ID known as the "Brit Card." However, the introduction of such a system raises significant concerns about government overreach, privacy, and civil liberties.  Here’s why compulsory ID cards are not only unnecessary but also a step too far for a government that has not even mandated this in its election manifesto . (Video linked).  Historical Context and Public Sentiment The UK has a long history of rejecting compulsory ID cards, with the last mandatory system being scrapped in 1952. This decision was rooted in a widespread belief that such measures infringe on personal freedoms and are incompatible with British values. The notion that ID cards could be used for broader purposes, such as law enforcement, has historically been met with skepticism.  Recent polling indicates that while a majority of Britons may su...

Matt Goodwin: The Professor Stirring Up British Politics You might have heard the name Matt Goodwin popping up a lot lately, especially if you follow any Reform UK Ltd social media pages. He is often quoted or has "posts" shared by both Telford and The Wrekin platforms. So who is he exactly?  He’s a former university professor who’s now a big voice in the Reform UK party. But his way of talking about hot-button issues like immigration has made him a seriously controversial figure. Let's break down what he's saying and why it's getting so much attention. Using Strong Words That Divide A lot of the controversy around Goodwin comes from the language he uses. He often describes immigration as an "invasion." That’s a very powerful, scary word. Think about what an "invasion" implies—it suggests we’re under attack from a dangerous enemy, not that people are coming here to work, study, or find safety. Critics say this kind of talk isn...

So Much for "Fiscal Responsibility": Who's Really Funding Reform UK? Let's have a straight talk about money and politics. We keep hearing a certain party, Reform UK Ltd, talking about being "fiscally responsible" and looking out for the "ordinary person." But before we listen to what they say, maybe we should look at where their money comes from. Because when you follow the cash, the story changes completely. Think about it.  You work hard for your money.  You know what it's like to budget, to worry about bills, to put a bit away for a rainy day. Fiscal responsibility means being careful, honest, and fair with money, right? So, let's look at the people bankrolling Reform UK Ltd. This isn't about small donations from thousands of working people. This is about huge cheques from a tiny group of the super-wealthy. Where's the Cash Coming From? In just one year, a handful of mega-rich donors gave Reform nearly £5 million. Sin...

 This was broadcast around London this week. You deserve to see it too  🇵🇸✊💚 #palestine ​ #labour ​ #lammy ​ #starmer ​ #shaundaviesmp ​ #TelfordDeservesBetter ​ #WrekinDeservesBetter ​

Reform UK Ltd Conference: A Reflection on Toxicity and the Need for Change Over the weekend of September 6th and 7th, 2025, the Reform UK Ltd conference in Birmingham showcased not just political rhetoric but a deep-seated negativity that runs through the veins of its organisation. While some might portray this gathering as a hub for free speech and progressive thought, the actions and words of its leaders revealed a more troubling reality – one characterised by racism, homophobia, fear of transgender people, and a simple ignorance of complex issues surrounding immigration. Lucy Connolly with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.  Picture:  Alamy At the heart of this Reform UK Ltd conference was Lucy Connolly, a woman whose notoriety does not stem from her political insights but rather from her criminal past. Recently released from HMP Peterborough after serving time for inciting violence against asylum seekers on social media, Connolly emerged as a far-right symbol of "free speech"...

Telford and Wrekin Council: A Failing Commitment to Residents Needs Proof of councils lacking in protect, care and invest to make a better borough. Communications between local campaigners and Telford & Wrekin Council have been mired by lack of responses, accountability, and other shortcomings have resulted in the Labour led council being referring to the Information Commissioner. The most recent display of these traits by Telford and Wrekin Council has been re garding parking bay dimensions, and has raised critical questions about the council's commitment to addressing the needs of its residents, particularly concerning the increasing size of electric vehicles (EV's), and wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs). Lack of Information on Parking Bay Dimensions Information about the standardised dimensions of parking bays, specifically whether they meet the required standards of 2.4 meters by 4.8 meters for cars in council carparks. The council's response was alarming: they...

Big picture   Written by Mark Webster, former Regional Manager Government Services Detention/Deportation Contract-Home Office You CAN pass new UK laws, but you CAN'T wish away treaties we’ve signed or the way courts apply them. The headline policies—automatic detention, no real appeals, and sending people to countries that aren’t proven safe—will trigger court orders, delays, and big compensation bills. You will end up paying a lot without getting removals to actually happen. Key ideas in human terms Non‑refoulement : This is the core rule. The UK can’t send someone to a place where there’s a real risk they’ll be tortured or face inhuman treatment. It applies under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Refugee Convention, and the anti‑torture treaty. That means:   You CAN'T deport people to obviously dangerous places (think Afghanistan or Eritrea) unless you have strong, up‑to‑date proof they’ll be safe. Courts have been crystal clear on this for decades. ...

What the Reform UK Plan Tries To Do Written by L. Lawson Economist BSc (Econ) Reform UK plans bank on building a big detention system quickly, sharing data across public services, and flying people to third countries—on the scale of “hundreds of thousands.” This carries very high upfront costs, large ongoing bills, and real risks to the workforce, productivity, and how well public services run. Read on, and I'll give you 12 economic reasons below why their plan will not work! The Core Problem The timelines, legal assumptions, and partner‑country capacity just don’t add up. Even if only parts of it happen, the value for money looks poor versus cheaper, smarter border and asylum reforms. New System‑Wide Risks Reliance on IT will cause a heavy workloads for the NHS, HMRC, and DVLA which can only be handled by increased public expenditure. Legal challenges and treaty issues will slow down or even halt removals while costs keep ticking. There will be knock‑on effects on health uptake, t...

Exposing Telford Labour’s Misleading Use of “Facts” Labour-led Telford and Wrekin Council recently tried to claim that the rise in Universal Credit claimants is unsustainable, in response to a question from The Green Party of Telford and Wrekin. Cllr Middleton (L) Cllr Lee Carter (R) But when Leader Cllr Lee Carter dodged the issue, choosing not to engage on a hot potato, he delegated responsibility to Labour Cllr Kelly Middleton. Neither Cllr Carter nor Cllr Middleton did their homework. In addition to the figures we’ve already provided , here are a few more that suggest Labour locally and nationally are pulling the wool over people’s eyes: For years, people have been moved from legacy benefits like ESA to Universal Credit. These numbers artificially inflate the “new” Universal Credit claimant counts. So far, about 2.5 million people have been migrated to UC, with many financially worse off as a result. However, around 400,000 have been moved off ESA and have not applied for, or s...

Telford and Wrekin Council’s Delayed & Inadequate Response to Parking Concerns: Residents Deserve Better Labour Led Telford and Wrekin Council - Cabinet ©️Telfordandwrekin web Once again, Telford and Wrekin Council, under Labour leadership, has demonstrated a concerning lack of urgency, transparency, and professionalism in responding to residents’ legitimate concerns.  This time, the issue revolves around parking bay dimensions—a matter of growing importance as the size of vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs) and wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs), continues to increase, and we reported on back in May. The Council’s delayed and dismissive handling of a straightforward Freedom of Information Request, raises serious questions about their commitment to serving the needs of the community. A Pattern of Delays and Evasion The saga began on 23rd May when Mark Webster submitted an FOI request seeking clarity on several critical issues, including: The current standard dimens...