Throughout each month I am posting links to media coverage where I have had active involvement in the story or have provided comment and a Labour Party perspective. As an elected County councillor I am often asked to provide local input on national stories and the socialist perspective on local issues.
This page will be updated throughout the month.
Refund demanded after inflated scores for maternity services
It’s utterly wrong that funding for NHS services can be based on ratings rather than need. However, I cannot agree with a Hospital trust that claims a 10/10 rating when it should be 6/10. This story is just another sorry chapter in our local maternity service saga.
Read more in The Isle of Thanet News.
Ramsgate vigil for Sarah Everard
With recorded sex crimes against women in Thanet the highest in Kent, I have been more than willing to support this ‘walk-by’ vigil organised by Emma Sophia Phoenix. Read about the organisation of the event here.
I have also posted a video of the messages left at the vigil site and written a letter about the need for safer streets to Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott. Read more here.
Report warns of Isle of Thanet regaining island status by 2050
A climate central report says that climate change causing rising sea levels will have a catastrophic effect on our locality. In this clip on KMTV I provided some local perspective regarding the long term needs of our community.
Hospital bosses avoid a grilling
As a member of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) at Kent County Council, I was angered when a scheduling clash meant senior managers from Medway NHS Foundation Trust did not appear to face questioning over a damning watchdog report.
Read more at Kent Online.
The Police Bill, vaccination confidence, pandemic schooling and rising sea levels on Thanet’s coast
On March 19th KMTV’s political discussion programme, Paul on Politics covered some of the week’s news. I was a guest on the show, along with Sir Roger Gale, Conservative MP for North Thanet.
In this edit of the show I put the local Labour point of view on topics including The Policing Bill, sexual violence against women and girls, the environmental crisis and Tory planning regulations.
The full version of this programme can be viewed on KMTV’s website.