Category Archives: Uncategorized

On 10th July, thousands of public sector union members across Wiltshire will be on strike over pay, and as Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Chippenham I will be supporting them, and joining the rally outside County Hall at 10:30 am. … Continue reading →

People often say to me that they don’t follow politics, but the fiasco of how Wiltshire Council has contracted out litter picking, grass cutting and road maintenance to Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) shows how “politics” impacts on ordinary life. … Continue reading →

The recent decision by Balfour Beatty Living Places to derecognize the three trade unions, GMB, Unite and Unison, who represent their staff responsible for roads maintenance, shows yet another downside of privatization. The company has previous form as an anti-trade … Continue reading →

Chippenham’s Liberal Democrat MP recently voted in favour of the controversial clause 119 – which means the Secretary of State for Health has the power to push through changes to hospitals and local services without adequate public consultation and on … Continue reading →

In November 2013 a successful appeal was made to the High Court to stop the government from closing down the Independent Living Fund (ILF). The ILF allows around 18,000 disabled people with complex care and support needs the opportunity to … Continue reading →

Today I was joined by Labour colleagues to protest outside County Hall in Trowbridge, against the scandalous 22% rise in allowances for members of the cabinet. Wiltshire’s Conservative councillors are woefully out of touch, as hard working families struggle with … Continue reading →

As someone who has not personally been affected by flooding, beyond inconvenience on the roads, my heart goes out to those whose homes and livelihoods have been blighted by it. Sadly, I fear that government policy on flood prevention is … Continue reading →

I was sad to see that Chippenham’s Lib Dem MP, Duncan Hames,  voted in parliament on 21st January against a proposal from the Labour Party that a statutory code should be introduced to ensure pub landlords are no longer exploited … Continue reading →

According to the BBC, the total cost of policing the badger cull pilot has been confirmed as nearly £2.5m – or about £1,311 per badger. In Gloucestershire, police and crime commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl tweeted the cost as “around £1.7m”, … Continue reading →

On Saturday, Labour Party members joined me at a street stall in Chippenham, highlighting the high cost of energy prices, and how the next Labour government will intervene in the energy market in the interest of domestic consumers, and businesses. … Continue reading →